News
Pádraig Harnett remembered at special musical event

By Sean Moriarty
Liam O’Connor is instantly recognised as one of Killarney’s top musicians but the man who put him on the road to stardom was honoured on Friday night.

Liam O'Connor Oisin O'Connor and Lisa Aherne performing at the tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Deputy Michael Healy Rae Paudie Eileen and Niall O'Callaghan and Deputy Danny Healy Rae at the Liam O'Connor music tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett in The Fáilte Bar on Friday night with proceeds going to Killarney Celtic 'Football for All'. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Bridget and Liam McGuire Bridget O'Keeffe and Paul Byrne at the tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett on Friday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Saoirse Cillian Oisin and Liam O'Connor performing at the tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett on Friday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Deputy Danny Healy Rae Cllr Niall 'Botty' O'Callaghan Eileen Healy Rae Cllr Johnny Healy Rae Tim Coffey Brendan Harnett Cllr Maura Healy Rae and Mark Harnett at the Fáilte Bar on Friday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Mary Murphy Patsy Cusack and Ita Looney at the Liam O'Connor music tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett on Friday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Dancer Michael Cahill and Liam O'Connor performing at the tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett on Friday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

At the Liam O'Connor music tribute on Friday night were front from left: Noreen O'Connor Cillian O'Connor Edel Harnett and Oisin O'Connor. Seated in centre are: Saoirse O'Connor Maura Daly Harnett Liam O'Connor and Brendan Harnett. Back from left are: John Don O'Donoghue Sean Daly David Harnett Kathleen Harnett Mark Harnett Mary Lyne Jane O'Donoghue Paul Sherry Robbie Harnett and Michelle Hurley. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Seated in front are Paul Sherry Maura Daly Harnett Sean Daly and Mary Lyne. Back from left are: Michelle Hurley John and Jane O'Donoghue and Noreen O'Connor at the tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett in the Fáilte Bar. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Packie O'Connor Joanie O'Donoghue Noreen O'Connor and Billy O'Donoghue at the Liam O'Connor music tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett in the Fáilte Bar on Friday night with proceeds going to Killarney Celtic 'Football for All'. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Shirley O'Sullivan Dorothy O'Grady Guerin Lisa Hegarty Lisa Aherne and Elaine Price at the Fáilte Bar on Friday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

A section of the crowd enjoying the night in memory of Pádraig Harnett in the Fáilte Bar. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Liam O'Connor Oisin O'Connor and Lisa Aherne performing at the tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Deputy Michael Healy Rae Paudie Eileen and Niall O'Callaghan and Deputy Danny Healy Rae at the Liam O'Connor music tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett in The Fáilte Bar on Friday night with proceeds going to Killarney Celtic 'Football for All'. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Bridget and Liam McGuire Bridget O'Keeffe and Paul Byrne at the tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett on Friday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Saoirse Cillian Oisin and Liam O'Connor performing at the tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett on Friday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Deputy Danny Healy Rae Cllr Niall 'Botty' O'Callaghan Eileen Healy Rae Cllr Johnny Healy Rae Tim Coffey Brendan Harnett Cllr Maura Healy Rae and Mark Harnett at the Fáilte Bar on Friday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Mary Murphy Patsy Cusack and Ita Looney at the Liam O'Connor music tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett on Friday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Dancer Michael Cahill and Liam O'Connor performing at the tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett on Friday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

At the Liam O'Connor music tribute on Friday night were front from left: Noreen O'Connor Cillian O'Connor Edel Harnett and Oisin O'Connor. Seated in centre are: Saoirse O'Connor Maura Daly Harnett Liam O'Connor and Brendan Harnett. Back from left are: John Don O'Donoghue Sean Daly David Harnett Kathleen Harnett Mark Harnett Mary Lyne Jane O'Donoghue Paul Sherry Robbie Harnett and Michelle Hurley. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Seated in front are Paul Sherry Maura Daly Harnett Sean Daly and Mary Lyne. Back from left are: Michelle Hurley John and Jane O'Donoghue and Noreen O'Connor at the tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett in the Fáilte Bar. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Packie O'Connor Joanie O'Donoghue Noreen O'Connor and Billy O'Donoghue at the Liam O'Connor music tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett in the Fáilte Bar on Friday night with proceeds going to Killarney Celtic 'Football for All'. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Shirley O'Sullivan Dorothy O'Grady Guerin Lisa Hegarty Lisa Aherne and Elaine Price at the Fáilte Bar on Friday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

A section of the crowd enjoying the night in memory of Pádraig Harnett in the Fáilte Bar. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
The late Pádraig Harnett wore many hats in town but was better known as one of the town’s best sports journalists as he was a cycling, soccer and basketball expert.
The Park Road native devoted a huge amount of his time voluntarily to Celtic Football Club and St Paul’s Basket Club.
He was a founding member of the local Nottingham Forrest FC Supporter's Club.
A former hotel and cinema manager, Pádraig Harnett’s sudden passing last October left a gaping hole in all facets of Killarney society.
One man who is missing his late friend more than most is the world champion accordionist Liam O’Connor.
He wanted to do something to celebrate Pádraig’s contribution to the town he loved so well.
On Friday night last, Liam organised a special gig at the Fáilte Hotel in memory of the man who once acted as tour manager for his band.
The concert, which also raised money for Killarney Celtic 'Football for All', was attended by close to 300 people.
These included members of the extended Harnett families, politicians, sports stars and friends of the very well-known Killarney man.
“Not many people know that around 25 years ago, Pádraig introduced me to Paudie O’Callaghan of the Fáilte Hotel,” Liam explained.
“Paudie was very busy with gigs at the time but he offered me a Wednesday night slot and the rest, as they say, is history. He was a loyal friend, so honest and very intelligent and down to earth and was a larger-than-life character.”
News
Killarney twinned with Italian town
By Sean Moriarty It has taken 10 years but the Italian town of Casperia is now an official twin town with Killarney. The idea to twin the picturesque town near […]

By Sean Moriarty
It has taken 10 years but the Italian town of Casperia is now an official twin town with Killarney.
The idea to twin the picturesque town near Rome was first mooted by the old Killarney Town Council.
However, when town councils were discontinued in 2014 the task was handed over to Killarney Town Twining Association and was supported by the elected Killarney Municipal District members of Kerry County Council.
A delegation from the association and the council visited Casperia in 2019 to sign the Italian side of the twining agreement.
The pandemic further delayed the process but on Thursday last Killarney Mayor Niall Kelleher and Casperia Mayor Marco Cusso met to formally sign the charter in Killarney.
“This was honouring a commitment made by the former town council to establish a twinning under European guidelines back in 2014,” said association chairman Sean Counihan.
“Unfortunately the town councils were abolished and Killarney Town Twinning Association pursued the matter.
“We are delighted that the municipal authority saw fit to move the beautiful town of Casperia near Rome from association status to full twinning with Killarney.
“We deeply appreciate the members’ positivity in honouring the former Town Council’s decision.”
The signing between the two mayors took place over the St Patrick’s Festival weekend when Killarney Town Twining Association also welcomed groups from other towns like Pleindfeld in Germany and Concord, North Carolina, USA.
News
Music and fun at Fossa Rambling House
By Sean Moriarty The Fossa Two Mile branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann held its first Rambling House night of music and dance on Saturday night. Their return to the stage […]

By Sean Moriarty
The Fossa Two Mile branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann held its first Rambling House night of music and dance on Saturday night.
Their return to the stage was timed to coincide with the St Patrick’s weekend celebration and also marked the first big event at the Castlerosse Park Resort since it re-opened on Thursday night following its winter break.
As well as a feat of Irish music, dance and poetry, Fossa-based Ukrainians gave performances in their native language too.
“What a great night we had at our CCÉ Rambling House last Saturday night,” Chairman Tim Kissane said.
“There are so many people to thank that we apologise in advance if we miss anybody out. Firstly, to the management and staff Castlerosse Park Resort for hosting our event and the wonderful service they provided.
“To our very talented stalwart musicians Mike Jack, Noreen and Maura who entertained us all so well from start to finish.
“To all our guest performers, from The Racing Pigeons to the Biddy Group and all the singers, musicians and storytellers in between go raibh mile maith agaibh. Special mention to our Ukrainian singers who performed two songs in their native language for us on the night. Thank you to all our members and supporters and to Fear an Tí, Mick Myers agus Bean an Tí, Theresa Kissane who kept the night flowing. Our fireplace display was kindly lent to us by the Beaufort Pioneers and adorned with ‘things of old’ from Brendan O’Sullivan.”
-
Sport1 week ago
An Hour with Paul Galvin: Drawing lines between football and fashion
-
News1 week ago
Attenborough to showcase Killarney in latest BBC wildlife series
-
News3 weeks ago
Uninsured drivers adding €35 to every car policy in Ireland
-
News2 weeks ago
Killarney woman urges support for cancer patient services this Daffodil Day