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Movie magic as The Dawn breaks in Cinema Killarney

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Members of the Cooper family at the screening of the new digitised version of 'The Dawn' at Cinema Killarney. From left are Katherine Cooper, Tommy Cooper, Michelle Cooper Galvin, Diarmuid Galvin and Therese Cooper. PICTURE: EAMONN KEOGH

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TALK that Killarney could become the answer to Tinseltown echoes back and forth across the decades – in recent years, the town produced its own homegrown Hollywood hero in the shape of Michael Fassbender, but going back even further, Killarney filmmaker Tom Cooper made an iconic movie in the 1930s.

Now the classic film The Dawn written and directed by Mr Cooper in his hometown in 1936 is newly restored and was screened at Cinema Killarney on Friday evening.

This film was the inspiration for “The Dawn workshops”, a successful series of masterclasses by top international and award-winning filmmakers which are now run on a regular basis for film and television practitioners by the National Digital Skills Centre at Kerry Education and Training Board (ETB) centre in Tralee. Diarmuid Galvin, a great-grandson of Tom Cooper, is a co-creator with Brian Nolan of “The Dawn workshops”.

The Dawn was the first talkie made in Ireland. Mr Cooper used Killarney talent, from technicians to local actors, family and friends, to shoot a story loosely based on the War of Independence and of course featuring the dazzling beauty of Killarney’s mountains and lakes.

For some years now, the original film has been held in a specially controlled environment in the British Film Institute in order to preserve the delicate film substance from deterioration.

Now in co-operation with the Cooper family, Brian Nolan and the digital skills production team at Kerry ETB Training Centre have digitised and restored this classic film to its former glory.

The town was eagerly looking forward to enjoying the screening, with the Cooper family this week sharing family lore including stories of Walt Disney visiting Kerry in the 1950s and meeting Tom Cooper. Killarney photographer Michelle Cooper Galvin recalls her grandfather with affection. “He was an innovator – his two big passions were films and tourism. I think he made the film to promote Killarney as a tourist destination; he founded The Glebe Hotel and opened a cinema in Killarney and was the first to bring bus-loads of visitors to Killarney.”
 


 
Members of the Cooper family at the screening of the new digitised version of 'The Dawn' at Killarney Cinema on Friday night. From left are Katherine Cooper, Tommy Cooper, Michelle Cooper Galvin, Diarmuid Galvin and Therese Cooper. PICTURE: EAMONN KEOGH

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Women’s Aid highlights rising femicide figures following Killarney death

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Women’s Aid highlights rising femicide figures following Killarney death

Following the violent death of Jamey Carney in Killarney on Tuesday, national charity Women’s Aid has released a stark update regarding violence against women in Ireland.

According to the Women’s Aid Femicide Watch for the Republic of Ireland, eight women have died in violent circumstances so far this year.

This figure already exceeds the total of seven women recorded during the entirety of 2025.

Sarah Benson, CEO of Women’s Aid, said:

“Violence, abuse, and even at its extremes, death, are still a reality for many women living in Ireland. After the devastating murder of Ashling Murphy in 2022, Ireland said never again. But Ireland has not lived up to that promise.

“Since then, 40 women have died violently in Ireland. That is 40 women with lives, dreams, family, friends and communities.

“Since we started the Women’s Aid Femicide Watch in 1996, 286 women have died violently in Ireland. Every death is an outrage. An absolute tragic loss of life resulting in utter heartache and trauma for those left behind.

“We are thinking today of those who will be deeply impacted by the loss of life in Killarney. Prevention of all domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is crucial and urgent.”

“The Women’s Aid Femicide Watch shows that 87% of women (where the case has been resolved) were killed by a man known to them. We also know that in Ireland, one in three women has been subjected to domestic abuse of some kind.

“Every woman has the right to be safe in her home and in her community, and this is just not the case. We must do the work required to achieve equality and safety for all, to make Ireland a country that truly has zero tolerance for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.”

Support is available on the Women’s Aid 24-Hour National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900, or go to womensaid.ie to use the Instant Message Service or for more information on domestic violence and abuse.”

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Killarney Gardaí await post-mortem results as Muckross Road scene remains cordoned off

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Killarney Gardaí await post-mortem results as Muckross Road scene remains cordoned off

Gardaí investigating the discovery of a woman’s body at a residence on Muckross Road in Killarney are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination to determine the direction of their inquiries.

It is understood that a full murder investigation is expected to be launched.

The deceased has been named locally as Jamey Carney, an American national in her 40s and the mother of a 13-year-old girl.

The scene at the domestic residence remains cordoned off today for a full technical examination, with a visible Garda presence continuing at the location.

An incident room has been established at Killarney Garda Station under a Senior Investigating Officer. Local businesses in the area have already begun supplying CCTV footage to assisting officers.

Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser, local councillor Martin Grady expressed the deep sense of shock in the area.

“I want to offer my condolences to the family,” Cllr Grady said. “This is an awful shock to the local community. I encourage anyone to come forward with any information they may have to An Garda Síochána. Whoever committed such a crime is a cowardly person and should get the maximum penalty.”

Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone who was in the Muckross Road area between the evening of Monday, July 6 and the afternoon of Tuesday, July 7 to come forward. They are particularly appealing to road users and business owners who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from the area during those times.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

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