News
Synge out loud as musical comes to Muckross House

Acting royalty takes centre stage in the lead up to Heritage Week as ‘The Playboy of the Western World – The Musical’ comes to Muckross House.
The musical, an outdoor performance under a marquee with a capacity of one hundred plus per night, takes place between August 19 and 21 with legendary actress Kate O’Toole, daughter of the late British stage and film actor Peter O'Toole, taking on the role of narrator.
This mischievous, musical adaptation of Synge's classic is being presented outdoors under canvas, in the style of a 1950s theatrical fit-up.
Joining Kate will be 15 other actors and musicians for this reworking of Synge’s classic play which is set in a radio studio in 1959 during a live broadcast, with the cast, dubbed the Atlantic Broadcasting Corporation, playing actors performing 'The Playboy of The Western World' as a radio play.
Adapted by Diarmuid de Faoite and Justin McCarthy, with music also by Justin, and directed by Hillary Kavanagh, the cast features a wealth of home grown talent including Aine Ni Droighnean, Eilis McCarthy, Eoin Ó Dubhghaill, Daniel Guinanne, Fia Rua, Fred McCloskey, Helen Gregg, Muireann Ní Raghaillaigh, and Philip Sweeney.
Live band The Stooks features Charlie Foley, Cormac Dunne, Jimmy Fitz and Justin McCarthy.
“It's like going back to the 1950s,” Justin McCarthy said. “It's probably the first time in years that live theatre has been performed under a stretch a tent. It's really authentic, like one of the original theatrical fit ups.”
Tickets cost €25 and are available from www.playboythemusical.ie.
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.
-
Sport2 weeks ago
An Hour with Paul Galvin: Drawing lines between football and fashion
-
News2 weeks ago
Attenborough to showcase Killarney in latest BBC wildlife series
-
News2 weeks ago
Killarney woman urges support for cancer patient services this Daffodil Day
-
News3 weeks ago
Premiere of Kevin Leahy’s film revealed