News
Strong support as film festival returns to in-person event

By Michelle Crean
It was lights, camera and time to mingle at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday).

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Thomas and Peter Maguire.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Barney Scholes and Tom O'Meara.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Jessica Courtney Leen and Jennifer Courtney Leen.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Lorcan Cranitch and Declan Reeks.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Nicola O Gorman Marie Linehan and Peter Maguire.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Darina Gallobaand Siobhan Flannigan.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Damian O'Callaghan and Nathan Griffin.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Damian O'Callaghan Declan O'Shea and Tim O'Connor (OC Productions).

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Jessica Courtney Leen and Jennifer Courtney Leen.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Marie Linehan and Marie Ni Choistín.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Ailbhe Keogan (KIFF) Irene Cronin-O'Reilly Aine Moriarty (founder and Chief Executive of the Irish Film & Television Academy) Aileen Garvey and Grace O'Donnell (Chair of KIFF).

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Marie Ruiséal Eibh Collins and Deirdre Ní Choistín.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Thomas and Peter Maguire.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Barney Scholes and Tom O'Meara.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Jessica Courtney Leen and Jennifer Courtney Leen.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Lorcan Cranitch and Declan Reeks.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Nicola O Gorman Marie Linehan and Peter Maguire.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Darina Gallobaand Siobhan Flannigan.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Damian O'Callaghan and Nathan Griffin.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Damian O'Callaghan Declan O'Shea and Tim O'Connor (OC Productions).

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Jessica Courtney Leen and Jennifer Courtney Leen.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Marie Linehan and Marie Ni Choistín.

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Ailbhe Keogan (KIFF) Irene Cronin-O'Reilly Aine Moriarty (founder and Chief Executive of the Irish Film & Television Academy) Aileen Garvey and Grace O'Donnell (Chair of KIFF).

Pictured at the official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) yesterday evening (Thursday) at the Randles Hotel were: Marie Ruiséal Eibh Collins and Deirdre Ní Choistín.
There was a fine crowd at the Randles Hotel for the first in-person event as COVID pushed the popular annual film festival online over the last few years.
Celebrating its 23rd edition KIFF promotes and showcases film and filmmaking talent across 30+ events via a truly exciting programme that is not to be missed. This year’s festival will take place over this weekend across a series of venues throughout Killarney as well as showcasing a bespoke KIFF screening in Dingle on Sunday.
"As we have such an exciting few days of films and events ahead, it only feels right to start with a bang and open the festival with a sold out screening of 'Tarrac'," speaking at the opening celebration for KIFF 2022, Eibh Collins, Programme Director, said.
"It is fantastic to see such strong support of not only a locally shot film, but also of an Irish language film! KIFF have worked hard to curate an exciting variety of films and events across this year’s festival, there is something for everyone and we hope that the public enjoys it."
SCREENING
The opening night of the festival was followed by a screening of KIFF’s opening film for 2022, 'Tarrac' in the IMC Cinema in Killarney. Sold out in both Killarney and Dingle, this Irish language drama shot on location in Kerry, is directed by Declan Recks and produced by Clíona Ní Bhuachalla. The cast attended the opening night gala screening at the IMC including Lorcan Cranitch, Kate NicChonaonaigh, screenwriter Eugene O’Brien and director Declan Recks, and KIFF were delighted to see the film being so warmly received.
KIFF recently announced Actress and Writer Amy Huberman as the KIFF 2022 Maureen O’Hara Award recipient.
Additional, Irish highlights across KIFF 2022 include, 'Million Dollar Pigeons', by Gavin Fitzgerald and the Galway Film Fleadh Award-Winner Lakelands. 'Lakelands' director's Robert Higgins and Patrick McGiveny and stars Eanna Hardwicke and Danielle Galligan will be attending the Q&A for Lakelands directly after the screening at IMC Cinema Killarney which takes place at 6pm tomorrow (Saturday).
Additionally, over the three full days of the festival KIFF’s International Selection hosts a themed selection of music documentaries which are sponsored by Tower Records Ireland and there is also a dedicated programme of Ukraine films titled ‘BE BRAVE LIKE UKRAINE’, curated by guest programmer Mira Oyetoro.
All of these films will be in competition for the prestigious KIFF 2022 Awards. The winners will be announced on Sunday at the official KIFF Awards ceremony which is very generously hosted by the Great Southern Killarney.
The ever-popular IFTA Business Networking Event will be hosted by the CEO of IFTA, Áine Moriarty, today (Friday) at The Plaza Hotel, Killarney.
Additionally, an ‘In Conversation with Amy Huberman’ event will take place tomorrow (Saturday) at Randles Hotel Killarney while Pat Shortt will be debuting his short film ‘Warts & All’ on Sunday (October 23) at The Great Southern Killarney’s cinema screening room.
Tickets, event registration and festival passes will be available to purchase from www.kerryfilmfestival.com.
News
New local date for Hozier this summer
With over 22 billion global streams Hozier, whose other shows are completly sold out, has announced a new date in Killarney this summer. Not only will the Grammy-nominated, award-winning multi-platinum […]

With over 22 billion global streams Hozier, whose other shows are completly sold out, has announced a new date in Killarney this summer.
Not only will the Grammy-nominated, award-winning multi-platinum singer and songwriter, perform in Malahide Castle and The Academy, but he has announced a gig at the Gleneagle INEC Arena on June 27.
Driven by the thought-provoking quintuple-platinum anthem, ‘Take Me To Church’, ranked the 30th most listened to song on Spotify, the track is the 103rd song to ever achieve the rare milestone of Diamond certification and the highest certified solo Alternative single in RIAA history.
‘Take Me To Church’ has surpassed 2 billion streams, the only Irish artist to achieve this feat.
Hozier’s success hasn’t been confined to the UK and US with the album also achieving Multi-Platinum status in Belgium, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Ireland, Russia, Sweden, Poland, Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands.
Major TV appearances have helped spread the gospel including stand-out appearances on Later with Jools, Jimmy Fallon , David Letterman, Saturday Night Live, Ellen, Jimmy Kimmel, and Graham Norton. Following a year of sold out shows and festival appearances across the US, Canada, Europe and Australia, VH1 crowned Hozier ‘Artist of the Year’ and he received the honours ‘Top Rock Artist’ and ‘Top Rock Songs’ at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards.
In addition, he scored nominations for ‘Song of the Year’ at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards at which he performed alongside Annie Lennox and ‘Favourite Artist – Alternative Rock’ at the American Music Awards.
He won BBC ‘Song of the Year’ and the coveted Ivor Novello award for ‘Song of The Year’.
As Hozier prepares to release his third album ‘Unreal Unearth’ in 2023, his 3-track EP ‘Eat Your Young’ was released on March 17 in honour of his birthday and St. Patrick’s Day.
Tickets for Hozier go on sale this Thursday at 9am.
News
First born Kerry Calf of the year is a girl!
The first born Kerry Calf of 2023 was born at Muckross National Park this week. Both mother and calf are doing very well. The rare and native bred is distinguished […]

The first born Kerry Calf of 2023 was born at Muckross National Park this week.
Both mother and calf are doing very well. The rare and native bred is distinguished by its black colour, grazing outdoors in all seasons and is extremely hardy. The newborn calf can expect a long and peaceful life grazing in the National Park – the half moon close to Torc Waterfall is a popular grazing field.
Kerry cattle are a rare breed of dairy cattle – native to Kerry, descended from the Celtic Shorthorn, brought to Ireland as early as 2000BC. They are considered one of the oldest breeds in Europe, known for their milk quality and gentle nature.
Killarney National Park recognises the importance of conserving the historic Muckross herd. Former owners of Muckross Estate, Arthur Rose Vincent, were passionate about the Kerry Calf. Today, the rare bred are cared and managed by Chief Herdsman, Mike Fleming, particularity for preservation and agricultural heritage.
Another prolific breed is the ‘Cahernane Kerry’ owned and bred by dairy farmer, Ms Hilliard of Cahernane, Killarney. Ms Hilliard is one of the strongest advocators in the preservation and conservation of the bred. She is life-long secretary of the Kerry Cattle Society.
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