News
Restored 1930s movie to be screened for charity

EXCLUSIVE
By Sean Moriarty
Ireland’s first talking feature length movie - written and directed by Killarney man Tom Cooper in 1936 - will be screened at Killarney Cinema from today (Friday).
‘The Dawn’ is a story of the Irish War of Independence and was shot entirely in Killarney with the cast made up of local people only.
The original reel was destroyed in the World War Two Blitz in London but the Cooper family were lucky to have a copy and they had it restored by Kerry ETB around five years ago.
CHARITY
Every few years they offer to show a film in aid of a local charity to help them with fundraising.
Tommy Copper’s grandaughter Kathrine Cronin is a volunteer member of HeartBeat Killarney, and as a result the movie will enjoy a week long stint at her family’s cinema, operated by the director’s grandson and Kathrine’s cousin Tommy, on East Avenue, from September 3 to 9.
“We will only show this film in Killarney and will only do it for charity,” Kathrine told the Killarney Advertiser.
Tommy Copper was a man ahead of his time and his prime motive in making the film was to showcase Killarney as a tourism destination.
“He was always in England promoting the town and that is where he bought the camera,” added Kathrine. “They made their own tripod out of an axle from a car. My sister, Michelle Cooper-Galvin, still has it.”
HeartBeat Killarney president Billy O’Sullivan is looking forward to watching the movie. He remembers previous generations of his family talking about the film and some of his family even starred in it.
“Everything was done on a shoestring, it was filmed right across the street from the cinema,” he told the Killarney Advertiser. “The whole town was involved as extras but nobody wanted to play a Black and Tan.”
The audience will be limited to just 50 people for each viewing.
News
Final delivery as DJ retires
By Michelle Crean There’s hardly a Killarney home he hasn’t been to – but now DJ O’Driscoll has stood down from his duties. Friday night marked delivery driver DJ’s retirement […]

By Michelle Crean
There’s hardly a Killarney home he hasn’t been to – but now DJ O’Driscoll has stood down from his duties.
Friday night marked delivery driver DJ’s retirement from the Killarney branch of Corcoran’s Furniture & Carpets, a position he has held for the last 15 years.
On Friday night, colleagues from all three Corcoran’s Furniture & Carpets stores gathered in the Killarney Height’s Hotel. DJ was also joined by his daughter and her partner for the special night.
“After almost 15 years of steadfast work with Corcoran’s, DJ has been a constant pillar of support for his colleagues and has helped the company go from strength to strength,” owner Kieran Corcoran said.
“Corcoran’s would like to wish DJ the very best of luck for the future and hoping that he enjoys his retirement. Many thanks to Killarney Height’s Hotel for hosting the staff night on Friday. A great night was had by all!”
News
Rowers pull together for Order of Malta
Members of Flesk Valley Rowing Club had a strenuous but successful morning on Sunday when they collectively rowed the distance from Malin Head to Mizen Head. And it was all […]

Members of Flesk Valley Rowing Club had a strenuous but successful morning on Sunday when they collectively rowed the distance from Malin Head to Mizen Head.
And it was all done indoors on rowing machines in support of the Killarney Order of Malta.
Just before 11am the Valley armada ‘left shore’, and approximately 40 members aged from 12 to 50ish set to their task with enthusiasm. By midday someone reckoned that Barack Obama’s Plaza had been reached but unfortunately there was no stop for tea, just a splash of holy water, a mouthful of Lucozade and a few jelly babies for the lucky ones!
As the kilometres clicked slowly by the temperature started to rise and the cry went up from the gasping veterans to open all the doors!
No such problems for the junior relay crews who had a fantastic morning rowing, laughing, and racing each other all the way to the finish.
The junior members who took on the half-marathon distance individually were amazing throughout and got stronger as the finish line came into view.
“We’re delighted with how the morning went,” Tadhg Kelly from Flesk Valley said.
“There was a great atmosphere in the venue, and we are grateful to all the parents and Flesk Valley supporters who came along to encourage our young and not-so-young rowers. It was great too to see the members of the Order of Malta in attendance to offer their support, and the club would like to thank everyone who donated on the day.”
Tadhg also expressed his thanks to the underage coaches and committee members for looking after everyone during the event. He especially wanted to mention everyone at Celtic Steps and the Killarney Racecourse for facilitating the club and Workmens Rowing Club and Glenflesk GAA for the use of their equipment.
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