Connect with us

News

National award for Killarney musician

Published

7 years ago

on

IRELAND'S BEST: Liam O'Connor, pictured here with his daughter Saoirse and son Oisin, has been named as 'Ireland's Most Influential Accordion Player'.

 

EXCLUSIVE

 

By Sean Moriarty

 

Liam O’Connor has been named as ‘Ireland’s Most Influential Accordion Player’ at the

Irish Entertainment Awards.

Long established as one of Ireland’s most popular and prestigious award shows this year’s ceremony took place at the Tullamore Court Hotel on Monday night.

It is the second time he received a Golden Disc at the annual awards having been previously named as ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’ in 2012.

Liam, his daughter Saoirse and son Oisin, performed at the show after accepting his award.

“It was lovely,” Liam told the Killarney Advertiser. “We played together which is so nice and it was great to be honoured and get a Golden Disc.”

This year’s line-up featured performances by celebrated artists such as Foster and Allen,  Ray Lynam, Robert Mizzell and the Dublin City Ramblers.

Country Music star, Mike Denver, a regular fixture the INEC, was named as the ‘Irish Entertainer of the Year’.

O’Connor’s next major local performance is a Christmas concert with Irish Eurovision star Brian Kennedy.

Related Topics:
Advertisement

News

Sinn Féin to host public meeting on cost of living at Killarney Heights Hotel

Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty will host a public meeting on the costs of living and housing crises at the Killarney Heights Hotel on Thursday, May 28 at 8pm. […]

Published

19 hours ago

on

25 May 2026

By

Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty will host a public meeting on the costs of living and housing crises at the Killarney Heights Hotel on Thursday, May 28 at 8pm.

The Donegal TD will be joined by Kerry TD Pa Daly to discuss the economic pressures facing local households and the policy changes needed to provide financial relief. The main focus of the evening will center on the barriers preventing local people from buying their own homes, alongside broader costs of living challenges.
Speaking exclusively to the Killarney Advertiser ahead of his visit, Deputy Doherty said workers and families across Kerry are being squeezed from every direction by rising weekly shops, high energy bills, increasing insurance premiums, and substantial housing costs.
“Young people are losing hope that they will ever own a home in the county where they were raised,” Deputy Doherty said. “And while all of this is happening, the government is sitting on billions in budget surpluses while telling struggling families to wait. It is simply not good enough.”
The Sinn Féin finance spokesperson highlighted specific regional factors making the crisis acute in County Kerry, particularly regarding home heating costs.
“Almost 59% of homes in Kerry rely on home heating oil, which is nearly double the state average of 34%,” he said. “That means families across the county are far more exposed to soaring fuel costs than households in many other parts of the state. Yet the government withdrew supports that were helping households keep the lights on and heat their homes.”
Deputy Doherty noted that the housing situation in Kerry has moved beyond a social issue and is now impacting the local economy and communities. He pointed to figures showing average rents in the county have reached €1,493 per month, with exceptionally low market availability.
“At the time of writing, there were only 27 properties available online to rent across the entire county. Only 19 were below €2,000 a month and just five were available for less than €1,500. A county the size of Kerry, and only five rental properties affordable to someone on an ordinary income,” he said.
He also raised concerns for first-time buyers, noting that average house prices in Kerry have climbed to €296,000, representing an increase of €33,500 in a single year.
During the meeting, the Sinn Féin representatives will outline their party’s alternative proposals. These include a state-led program of affordable home building, a ban on excessive rent increases, enhanced protections for renters, and immediate energy credits and tax relief for workers.
“The resources exist to do this,” Deputy Doherty added. “The government’s own figures show billions in surplus funds available to the state. The issue is not a lack of money. The issue is political choice.”
The meeting is open to all members of the public, and a discussion session will follow the main presentations.

Continue Reading

News

National Park hosts weekend Bioblitz for National Biodiversity Week

Killarney National Park is taking centre stage for the final weekend of National Biodiversity Week, with the public being urged to get outdoor and explore the local environment. Today, Friday, […]

Published

20 hours ago

on

25 May 2026

By

Killarney National Park is taking centre stage for the final weekend of National Biodiversity Week, with the public being urged to get outdoor and explore the local environment.

Today, Friday, May 22, marks the UN International Day for Biological Diversity, and a series of free events will run across the park until the national celebration concludes this Sunday, May 24.
The highlight of the weekend is the Killarney National Park Bioblitz. This event brings families, nature lovers, and community volunteers together to find, identify, and record as many different plant and animal species as possible across the park’s diverse habitats over the next three days.
Christopher O’Sullivan, Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, encouraged locals and visitors alike to utiliSe the final days of the festival to experience the area’s unique wildlife, referencing Killarney’s native habitats as key areas the state is working to protect.
Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), noted that the week is designed to remind people that native plants, woodlands, and rivers are vital systems that make life possible. OrganiSers are encouraging anyone in the locality to head out to Killarney National Park before Sunday evening to participate in the species count and support local conservation efforts.

Attachments

Continue Reading

Last News

News19 hours ago

Sinn Féin to host public meeting on cost of living at Killarney Heights Hotel

Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty will host a public meeting on the costs of living and housing crises at...
News20 hours ago

National Park hosts weekend Bioblitz for National Biodiversity Week

Killarney National Park is taking centre stage for the final weekend of National Biodiversity Week, with the public being urged...
News2 days ago

Killarney marks 20 years since the rally that inspired Ireland BikeFest

Ireland BikeFest returns to Killarney from 29 to 31 May, marking 20 years since the 2006 European HOG Rally that...
News3 days ago

Two local connections secure top spots in Hot Press Readers’ Poll

Killarney took pride of place in both the film and literary categories of this year’s ‘Hot Press’ Readers’ Poll, with...
News3 days ago

Noel McGlynn named UCD Graduate of the Year

Killarney resident Noel McGlynn was named Graduate of the Year at the 2026 UCD Sports Awards in Dublin last week....

Sport

News3 months ago

Fossa Swimmers make a splash at County Finals

The Fossa Swim team pictured at the Tralee Sports Complex following their successful outing at the County Finals of the...
News4 months ago

On the Ball Part 2 of the Mikey Daly Interview

Éamonn Fitzgerald EF: Killarney Celtic are invited to participate in an Irish competition. That has big financial implications for travel,...
News4 months ago

LUKE MANGAN recently caught up with Kerry FC’s manager, Colin Healy. 

  He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager. Here’s how it went: When you began your...
News7 months ago

Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic

Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1) Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell Saturday 7.30pm Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre...
News7 months ago

Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan

After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork...