News
Sliabh Luachra Journal is ready to be read
How several IRA men managed to escape from thousands of British troops carrying out a major search of the “wild country’’ just east of Killarney, during the War of Independence, is recalled in the 19th issue of the Sliabh LuachraJournal, just published.
In an article titled, 'The Big Round-Up', Jeremiah O’Leary recalls the manhunt, in early June 1921. It was focussed on the Clydagh valley, Glenflesk, and estimates of numbers of troops involved ranged from 2,000 to 10,000.
As troops converging on Clydagh from Killarney and many barracks in Co Cork formed a ring of steel, the IRA was concerned as many of its members were trapped in the area being swept.
“But’’, O’Leary notes, “all made good their escape because they were familiar with the terrain and had ample warning of where the enemy was.’’
And they also had cover and support from local people. When troops entered houses, they found all the men had gone. On being asked where the men were, the usual response from women was: “They’ve gone to the bog'’.
Leading one British officer to retort: “You must have a hell of a large peat mine around here!’’
In a separate article on the War of Independence, O’Leary says 1921 was the most active year in the north Cork/east Kerry area, with ambushes in places like Tureengarrive, Rathmore and Headford. The journal has three articles to mark the centenary of the war.
TRADITIONAL MUSIC
Winning the senior fiddle competition at Scartaglen Feile Cheoil, in 1968, was the beginning of close ties with the traditional music of Sliabh Luachra for Matt Cranitch.
Now regarded as a foremost authority on the music of the region, especially that of the renowned fiddle master, Padraig O’Keeffe, he is also a leading musician on the national scene.
On the day Matt won the fiddle competition in Scartaglen, Jackie Daly won the senior accordion competition. “Little did we realise at the time that, many years later, we would go on to form a music partnership which, indeed, would bring us back to Scartaglen many times,’’ he recalls in the journal on page 12.
A native of Rathduff, Co Cork, Cranitch went on to win All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil titles and numerous other awards and has performed widely at home and abroad.
He also received a PhD from the University of Limerick for his study of the fiddle-playing of Sliabh Luachra.
The 112-page journal, which is sent to exiles in many parts of the world, is published by the local history society, Cumann Luachra. It contains a wide range of articles covering the life and lore of historic Sliabh Luachra and is on sale in shops throughout the area as well as in Killarney and surrounding towns.
Park Rangers to get power to on-the-spot fines following Killarney park fires
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) rangers will soon have the power to issue significant on-the-spot fines to people whose carelessness causes fires or breaks rules in Killarney National Park, following the announcement of new government legislation.
Under the proposed National Parks Bill, rangers will be given stronger enforcement authority to penalise illegal activities, such as lighting fires or using disposable barbecues in vulnerable wild areas. The measures follow a major wildfire at 5 Mile Bridge that destroyed 17 hectares of heath, bog, and ancient oak woodland after burning for seven days.
Announced by Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan TD, the legislation will place Killarney National Park on a dedicated statutory footing, establishing nature conservation and restoration as its primary management goal.
Minister O’Sullivan stated that the law comes at a critical time, pointing to recent fires in Killarney and the Wicklow Mountains as proof that park rangers need tougher powers to tackle reckless behaviour.
Divisional Manager for Killarney National Park, Eamonn Meskell, welcomed the measures, noting that the framework will strengthen local protection for native woodlands and wildlife while supporting long-term conservation efforts.
NPWS Director General Niall Ó Donnchú added that modernising statutory powers will provide essential tools for staff working to safeguard the 10,900-hectare park.
Minister meets emergency fire crews
Minister Christopher O’Sullivan visited Killarney National Park to meet members of the emergency fire crew and thank them for their efforts in containing the recent wildfire at Five-Mile Bridge.
NPWS staff worked around the clock over seven days to suppress the blaze, which burned through dry heath, wet heath, blanket bog, and native oak woodland.
Killarney hosted the largest orienteering festival ever held on Irish soil this past week, bringing over 2,000 international competitors and generating more than 10,000 bednights for the local area.
Organised by Kerry Orienteers, the week-long event drew participants from 35 countries to take on a series of technical courses across local mountain terrain, indoor spaces, and town streets. Organisers claimed the gathering was the largest of its kind globally.
The festival kicked off at St Brendan’s College with Ireland’s first-ever indoor orienteering event. Competitors then moved into the wild for five days of open mountain challenges around Glenflesk and Kilgarvan, tackling the rugged slopes of Crohane Mountain and Black Lakes.
The action will draw to a close today (Friday) following a high-speed urban street event through the centre of town.
Athlete ages ranged from under 10 to over 80, with Switzerland bringing the largest international group of nearly 300 entrants, alongside major teams from the UK, Finland, France, and Czechia.
Brendan O’Brien of Kerry Orienteers said the club was thrilled with the turnout, noting that the week provided a massive economic boost for local accommodation and tourism while putting Killarney on the global orienteering map.
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