News
Pádraig Harnett honoured posthumously by club he loved
Lifelong soccer stalwart and sports reporter Pádraig Harnett, who passed away in October following a brief illness, has been honoured posthumously by the club to which he devoted much of his life.
Killarney Celtic FC Achievement Awards were presented to Diarmuid Daly Brian Spillane and Gary Keane by (left) Paul Sherry (Club Vice Chairman) and (right) Tim Jones (Club Chairman) at the Killarney Celtic FC Awards ceremony in the East Avenue Hotel Killarney on Friday. Photo: Michelle Cooper Galvin
Killarney Celtic FC Committee Paul Sherry (Vice Chairman) Jane O'Donoghue Tim Jones (Club Chairman) Michelle Kennelly Hurley and John Somers at the Killarney Celtic FC Awards ceremony in the East Avenue Hotel Killarney on Friday. Photo: Michelle Cooper Galvin
Diarmuid Daly (second from left) Under 17 Manager presenting the Killarney Celtic U17 Player of the Year Award to winner Eoghan Crowley with his parents John and Desireee Crowley at the Killarney Celtic FC Awards ceremony in the East Avenue Hotel Killarney on Friday. Photo: Michelle Cooper Galvin
Diarmuid Daly (second from left) Senior 'B' management team presenting the Killarney Celtic Senior 'B' Player of the Year Award to winner Adam McMahon with Stephen Hayes Management team at the Killarney Celtic FC Awards ceremony in the East Avenue Hotel Killarney on Friday. Photo: Michelle Cooper Galvin
Alan Doyle (back centre) presenting the Aiden Cronin Memorial Perpetual Shield to Senior 'A' team Player of the Year Stephen McCarthy with (left) Brian Spillane (Senior Team Manager) Sarah and Aiden Cronin (back from left) Diarmuid Daly Stephen Hayes Alan Cronin Paul Sherry (Club Vice Chairman) and Tim Jones (Club Chairman) at the Killarney Celtic FC Awards ceremony in the East Avenue Hotel Killarney on Friday. Photo: Michelle Cooper Galvin
Jerry and Maria Falvey (seated left) presenting the Jimmy Falvey Perpetual Cup Killarney Celtic Youth Player of The Year to Darragh O'Shea who accepted the cup on behalf of winner Sean Fitzgerald with Killarney Celtic FC Youth players (front) Karl Kalvin O'Sullivan, Cathal Kelly (back) Liam Brosnan Murphy, Liam O'Donoghue, Shay O'Meara, Tim Jones (Club Chairman), Paul Sherry (Club Vice Chairman), Robbie Harnett, Eoghan Crowley, Luke Costello and Diarmuid Daly (Team Manager) at the Killarney Celtic FC Awards ceremony in the East Avenue Hotel, Killarney on Friday. Photo: Michelle Cooper Galvin
Killarney Celtic FC Achievement Awards were presented to Diarmuid Daly Brian Spillane and Gary Keane by (left) Paul Sherry (Club Vice Chairman) and (right) Tim Jones (Club Chairman) at the Killarney Celtic FC Awards ceremony in the East Avenue Hotel Killarney on Friday. Photo: Michelle Cooper Galvin
Killarney Celtic FC Committee Paul Sherry (Vice Chairman) Jane O'Donoghue Tim Jones (Club Chairman) Michelle Kennelly Hurley and John Somers at the Killarney Celtic FC Awards ceremony in the East Avenue Hotel Killarney on Friday. Photo: Michelle Cooper Galvin
Diarmuid Daly (second from left) Under 17 Manager presenting the Killarney Celtic U17 Player of the Year Award to winner Eoghan Crowley with his parents John and Desireee Crowley at the Killarney Celtic FC Awards ceremony in the East Avenue Hotel Killarney on Friday. Photo: Michelle Cooper Galvin
Diarmuid Daly (second from left) Senior 'B' management team presenting the Killarney Celtic Senior 'B' Player of the Year Award to winner Adam McMahon with Stephen Hayes Management team at the Killarney Celtic FC Awards ceremony in the East Avenue Hotel Killarney on Friday. Photo: Michelle Cooper Galvin
Alan Doyle (back centre) presenting the Aiden Cronin Memorial Perpetual Shield to Senior 'A' team Player of the Year Stephen McCarthy with (left) Brian Spillane (Senior Team Manager) Sarah and Aiden Cronin (back from left) Diarmuid Daly Stephen Hayes Alan Cronin Paul Sherry (Club Vice Chairman) and Tim Jones (Club Chairman) at the Killarney Celtic FC Awards ceremony in the East Avenue Hotel Killarney on Friday. Photo: Michelle Cooper Galvin
Jerry and Maria Falvey (seated left) presenting the Jimmy Falvey Perpetual Cup Killarney Celtic Youth Player of The Year to Darragh O'Shea who accepted the cup on behalf of winner Sean Fitzgerald with Killarney Celtic FC Youth players (front) Karl Kalvin O'Sullivan, Cathal Kelly (back) Liam Brosnan Murphy, Liam O'Donoghue, Shay O'Meara, Tim Jones (Club Chairman), Paul Sherry (Club Vice Chairman), Robbie Harnett, Eoghan Crowley, Luke Costello and Diarmuid Daly (Team Manager) at the Killarney Celtic FC Awards ceremony in the East Avenue Hotel, Killarney on Friday. Photo: Michelle Cooper Galvin
Pádraig was named 'Club Person of the Year' by Kerry soccer kingpins Killarney Celtic FC at their annual awards ceremony to a mark outstanding contributions and achievements.
Pádraig served in several positions with the club and he always worked tirelessly and passionately for Celtic and Kerry soccer at many levels.
When Pádraig passed away last October, his coffin was draped in the green and white flag of Celtic and club officials, members and players staged a very moving guard of honour as the cortege wound its way through the streets of Killarney.
At a reception in the Killarney Avenue Hotel on Friday night, the award was accepted by Pádraig’s wife, Maura and also in attendance were his stepson Seán Daly, his brother Brendan, sister-in-law Kathleen and nephews Mark and Robbie Harnett.
The awards were presented by club Chairman Tim Jones and Vice Chairman Paul Sherry.
Another recipient on the night was former senior manager Brian Spillane who received an 'Outstanding Achievement' award for his record-breaking exploits on the sidelines.
During his tenure, Celtic won an unprecedented four Premier League and cup doubles in a row as well as the coveted Munster League of Champions trophy.
A key member of that all-conquering Celtic squad was the outstanding Gary Keane who won every honour in the domestic game and is considered a Celtic legend who has been part of the club since he was a schoolboy.
Gary, who recently hung up his boots, was also presented with an outstanding achievement award as was club mentor Diarmuid Daly who was the kitman for the four-in-a-row squad and managed teams at senior B, youth and Under 17 level.
Other awards presented on the night were:
Senior A Player of the Year: Stephen McCarthy
Senior B Player of the Year: Adam McMahon
Youth Player of the Year: Seán Fitzgerald
Under 17 Boys’ Player of the Year: Eoghan Crowley
Listowel festival honours Gneeveguilla seanchaí Éamon Kelly
The Listowel International Storytelling Festival returns from September 17 to 20, featuring four days of traditional music, poetry, and international performances.
This year’s theme, “Past Voices, Future Stories,” honours the legacy of Ireland’s traditional storytellers while providing a platform for new artists. A major highlight of the four-day gathering is a special tribute to legendary Gneeveguilla seanchaí, actor, and playwright Éamon Kelly, marking the 25th anniversary of his passing.
Born in Sliabh Luachra in 1914, Kelly left school at 14 to work as an apprentice carpenter before pursuing a career in acting and storytelling. He joined the Radio Éireann Players in 1952 and performed extensively with both the Gate and Abbey theatres in Dublin. In 1966, he earned a Tony Award nomination for his role in Brian Friel’s play Philadelphia, Here I Come!.
The festival tribute features an archival exhibition documenting his career, alongside a celebratory concert with storytellers Nuala Hayes, Frances Kennedy, Daisy Kearney, and Danny Larkin, performing with Sliabh Luachra musicians Bryan O’Leary and Aidan Connolly. A dedicated panel discussion, chaired by theatre historian Dr Fiona Brennan, will feature Kelly’s son, Eoin Kelly, discussing his father’s life and artistic contributions.
International storytellers and performers from the USA, the UK, Morocco, Japan, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Belgium will join leading Irish artists across the weekend. The line-up includes a Culture Night showcase featuring the Listowel Community Youth Choir, local school visits, storytelling workshops, and a jazz performance by Karen Underwood celebrating the music of Nina Simone.
Executive Director of the Kerry Writers’ Museum Cara Trant highlighted the importance of remembering the Gneeveguilla native.
“We are particularly proud to celebrate Éamon Kelly during this year’s festival,” Ms Trant said. “His remarkable legacy reminds us of the power of a voice, a story, and an audience gathered together. Through this programme, we honour the storytellers who came before us while creating space for new voices to be heard.”
The full festival schedule and ticket details are available directly through the Kerry Writers’ Museum in Listowel.
Autism Friendly Killarney launches seasonal event series
Autism Friendly Killarney has announced a new series of free social events and activities taking place across the town from September through December.
The initiative sees the community committee team up with local Champion Organisations to offer inclusive, adapted sessions for children, teenagers, and adults.
Funding from Kerry County Council through the Community Support Fund supports the upcoming autumn and winter programme.
The series begins on Saturday, September 19, with an outdoor rock climbing day in the Gap of Dunloe organised alongside Roam Wild. The session offers dedicated teen and adult climbing slots designed to build confidence in a supportive setting.
In October, West End House will host a three-week series of inclusive classes on October 7, 14, and 21. Separate hourly sessions will run for teenagers aged 13 to 17, children aged 9 to 12, and adults aged 18 and over, with capacity capped at 10 participants per group.
The programme continues in November with creative art sessions at The Art House, before joining the wider Christmas in Killarney celebrations in December.
During the festive season, Autism Friendly Killarney will provide sensory and quiet spaces at the annual Christmas parades to assist attendees who find large crowds and noise challenging.
Organisers confirmed that further community partnerships are currently being planned for early next year.
Booking details for all events are managed directly through the individual partner venues, with places allocated on a first-come basis. Further information on upcoming sessions is available via the Autism Friendly Killarney website and social media channels.
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