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New Head of Programming for Kerry Film Festival

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NEW ROLE: Eibh Collins has been named as the new Head of Programming for Kerry Film Festival which takes place in Killarney this October.

A new Head of Programming has been announced for this year’s Kerry Film Festival – which is celebrating its 20th year.

Eibh Collins, a hugely experienced film programmer both at home and abroad, will bring a wealth of creativity and fun to this year’s festival planned to take place in Killarney from October 17 to 20.

The programme will be announced on October 4 at a launch ceremony in Killarney House & Gardens, Killarney National Park.

Grace O’Donnell, Chair of the Kerry Film Festival, this week welcomed Eibh to the team.

“We’re delighted to be welcoming such an experienced, passionate and highly regarded professional to the festival to kick off its third decade of bringing the best in new Irish and world cinema to the people of Kerry and Ireland,” Grace said.

“Eibh brings with her creative vision and vast experience of the international film industry and film festival circuit. We are excited to have such a strong voice for Irish Cinema and one of the top young female professionals in the industry curating the festival for our 20th edition and beyond.”

Eibh began working with Ireland’s leading film festival, The Galway Film Fleadh, in 2010. After working in film, fringe, live arts, LGBT and documentary film festivals domestically, Eibh began working at International Irish Film Festivals across Europe and the US.

In 2013, aged just 21, she became manager at both Irish Film London and Indie Cork Festival.

In 2016, Eibh began programming short films internationally and touring her curated selection of Irish shorts programmes.

Over the duration of 2019, she has been the Short Film Programmer for the Oscar-qualifying Galway Film Fleadh, joined the team at Encounters Festival and is currently the Deputy Director of Irish Screen America, while curating several international programmes and events for a number of festivals including Torino Film Market in Turin, Italy.

“I am thrilled with this opportunity to work with such a highly regarded and established festival,” Eibh said. “I truly just want to create a supportive and exciting space for filmmakers, both emerging and established, to attend what is sure to be a very special weekend.”

For more details see: www.kerryfilmfestival.com

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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. […]

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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.

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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, […]

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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.

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