Two works by Ukrainian photo-artist Olga Derevyanko have been selected for the Photo London 2026 international fair.

The pieces, titled ‘Two Worlds’ and ‘Ether’, were captured at Poulgorm Beach in County Kerry and are part of her ongoing project, ‘Healing Land’.

Olga arrived in Killarney in September 2022 with her son after being displaced by the war in Ukraine. Since moving to the area, she has used the local landscape as a source of inspiration and recovery.

“I am deeply in love with the nature of Kerry: the vast beaches where water, earth, and air merge; the lush green-brown blankets covering the mountains; and the lakes that act as giant mirrors for the clouds,” Olga said. “Like me, many women displaced by war find a way to process trauma and heal through this landscape. Each woman’s story is unique, yet they are united by a shared paradox—they are simultaneously vulnerable and incredibly resilient.”

Her project, ‘Healing Land. Voices’, explores how women navigate displacement through the natural environment. Olga is currently developing this work into a book and an exhibition.

“Nature teaches us acceptance,” she said. “It shows us that the world is imperfect and unpredictable, but even within that ‘glorious uncertainty,’ there is profound beauty.”

Photo London follows Olga’s previous exhibitions in Paris, Glasgow, Belfast, Galway, and Tralee. Locally, she is a regular volunteer for the Killarney Parkrun and NEWKD.

Her work went be on display at the National Hall, Olympia, London this week.

Following the London event, Olga will present ‘Two Worlds’ at the upcoming ‘The Wild Within’ exhibition at Siamsa Tíre.

She will also take part in an artist talk there on June 6 as part of the New Wave Wild Project. More information can be found at www.olgaderevyanko.com.

Pavel Vošalík, the Ambassador of Czechia to Ireland, visited Killarney recently to meet with Mayor Martin Grady and local officials.

The visit is part of the 2026 EU Presidency County Pairings initiative. For the duration of Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins in July, every Irish county has been “twinned” with an EU member state. Kerry has been officially paired with Czechia to strengthen cultural and business links between the two regions.

During the meeting at Killarney Town Hall, the Ambassador discussed future community connections and expressed a particular interest in the legacy of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty. Ambassador Vošalík also met with the Bishop of Kerry, Ray Browne, as part of his trip to the county.

Under the twinning programme, Ambassador Vošalík and the Irish Ambassador to Czechia, Alan Gibbons, will return to Kerry later this year for a series of public events at schools, libraries, and local clubs.