News
Students thought-provoking lockdown diary wins award
AWARD: Students from The Sem, Gearoid Mulvihill, Kacper Bogalecki (Film Director), Colm Looney, Jason Lee, Patrick Kearney, Jack Lynch, Dara O’Callaghan, Cian McMahon, Jack O’Sullivan, pictured with Sean Coffey (Principal), are delighted to win a film award this week.
By Michelle Crean
A thought-provoking nine minute long video made by local students to share their lockdown experience has won a Youth Film Festival award.
Students from St Brendan's College learned of the news on Saturday last online that their entry won the First Cut! Youth Film Festival Best Schools Film Award.
"We were delighted to hear this and we're very thankful to all those who helped us make this film a reality," Fifth Year student Kacper Bogalecki told the Killarney Advertiser.
During last year's lockdown, the then group of TY students got together in hopes of making a thought-provoking film to answer the question, "Would it be ethical to return to how things were before COVID-19?".
"We met twice a week on Zoom for many months where we shared our lockdown experiences and simply used this moment to have a little chat. We wanted to get something done towards the end of our TY programme, and perhaps undertake a meaningful project. I think during lockdown we all had a chance to reflect on our lives and become more aware of what's going on around us."
Cognisant of the major on-going world problems which were present before the pandemic struck, he said that they wanted to bring the viewers' attention to these issues and why fundamental change is needed.
"With the help of Kerry Filmmaker in Residence, Mieke Vanmechelen, and our teacher Niamh Sheehy, we created the film titled, 'The Sem Film Project' highlighting the effects of climate change, war, and of course, the ongoing spread of COVID-19," he said.
"Through our film, we also wanted to illustrate the value of solidarity and the importance of community spirit by documenting our daily lives whilst living in isolation. Moreover, we hoped that our film would serve as a diary of how, and what young people were doing at the beginning of the pandemic when we were all first thrust into the new normal in which we live today."
The film can be watched on YouTube by searching 'The Sem Film Project'.
€1m EuroMillions win at Centra The Reeks
Anthony O’Connor, Ciaran Culloty, Conor Healy, Elizabeth Nagle, and representatives from the National Lottery
Celebrations are underway in Killarney after Centra at The Reeks Gateway on Tralee Road sold a EuroMillions ticket worth €1,005,000 in the Friday, August 21 draw.
The lucky winner secured the life-changing sum through the special Ireland Only Raffle event after purchasing a Quick Pick ticket on the day of the draw.
Store owner John Bowler, who has operated the shop for over 20 years, expressed his delight after receiving the news from the National Lottery.
“There’s a great buzz around the store and we’re absolutely delighted,” Bowler said. “We have a mix of local customers and visitors coming through our doors every day, so the winner could be anyone. While we’ve sold fantastic prizes over the years, this is by far the biggest. It’s wonderful news for Killarney.”
National Lottery spokesperson Emma Monaghan urged anyone who bought a ticket at the store on Friday to check their numbers carefully. The ticket holder is advised to sign the back of the ticket, keep it safe, and contact the National Lottery prize claims team to arrange collection.
All photos: Eamonn Keogh
Pig’s Lane crowned Bar of the Year
Killarney’s subterranean venue Pig’s Lane emerged as a triple winner at the Bar of the Year 2026 Awards in Dublin on Monday night.
The College Street venue was named overall Bar of the Year, alongside taking Gold for both Cocktail Bar of the Year and Best Designed Bar / Inside Space. The announcements were made at a gala ceremony hosted by Anton Savage at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road.
Operating under the family-run O’Donoghue Ring Collection, the underground cocktail bar and whiskey parlour opened in 2023. The venue previously secured Innovative Bar of the Year in 2024 and Best Designed Bar in 2025 before taking the top national prize this year.
Judges praised the venue for its “unmatched excellence across the board”. The broader O’Donoghue Ring Collection earned eight finalist nominations across three properties, including Café du Parc and The Kenmare Rooms.
“We are so proud to be crowned Ireland’s Bar of the Year 2026,” said founder Gemma Ring. “A huge amount of work, creativity, and passion goes into everything we do”.
Pig’s Lane derives its name from the historic 1800s designation for the thoroughfare connecting College Street to Railway Road. On September 11, the bar will host a collaborative evening featuring Michelin Bib Gourmand tapas from Dingle’s Solas paired with bespoke cocktails.
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