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The Ghosts of Rome’ named An Post Irish Book of the Year 2025

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Joseph O’Connor’s latest novel, The Ghosts of Rome, has been named the overall An Post Irish Book of the Year 2025.

The announcement was made during a special television broadcast on RTÉ One hosted by broadcaster Oliver Callan. The book, which previously won ‘The Last Word Listeners’ Choice Award’ at the An Post Irish Book Awards, was selected as the overall winner by a panel of judges chaired by author Paul Howard.

The Ghosts of Rome is the second instalment in O’Connor’s Escape Line Trilogy. It follows the success of the first book, My Father’s House, which has sold over 150,000 copies in English. Both novels reached the Number One spot on the Irish bestseller charts within days of their release.


Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty

The trilogy is inspired by the extraordinary true story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, known as the ‘Vatican Pimpernel’.

Though born in County Cork, O'Flaherty was raised in Killarney, attending the local Monastery school.

During World War II, O’Flaherty used his position in the Vatican to coordinate an ‘Escape Line’, a secret network that smuggled over 6,500 Allied soldiers and Jews to safety from Nazi-occupied Rome.

Despite constant threats from the Gestapo and a bounty on his head, he operated from the steps of St Peter’s Basilica, providing refugees with food, money, and false papers.

Joseph O’Connor is currently working on the final book of the trilogy.

While The Ghosts of Rome continues to dominate bestseller lists, fans will have to wait until early 2027 for the conclusion of the series.

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Centra Muckross Road supports Kerry Stars with bottle return donation

Centra Muckross Road supports Kerry Stars with bottle return donation

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Sheahan’s Centra on the Muckross Road has made a significant donation to the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Sports Club using proceeds from unclaimed deposits at the shop’s bottle return machine.


Aisling Sheahan and the team at the Muckross Road store presented the cheque to members of the club this week. The funds were generated through the return scheme located at the front of the shop, where customers have the option to donate their return vouchers to local causes.
The donation comes at a busy time for the Kerry Stars, who have returned to training this week following the Easter break. The club provides a wide range of sporting outlets for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, including athletics, therapeutic horse riding, basketball, and soccer.
Preparation is also underway for the Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games, which take place in Dublin this June. Four athletes have been selected to represent the Kerry Stars at the national event.
The club is currently open to new members across most of its disciplines, though a long waiting list remains for Friday evening swimming sessions as the group continues its search for a qualified swim coach in Killarney. Training will continue until the summer break in May before resuming again in September.
Those interested in joining the club or inquiring about the coaching vacancy can contact Kerry Stars at kerrystars63@gmail.com or by calling 087 2365664.

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Soroptimist make €3k donation to Rockmount Care Centre

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Members of the Killarney Soroptimist Society visited the Rockmount Care Centre on Wednesday, to present a cheque for €3000 to Nurse Manager Mary Hussey.


The significant sum was raised during the society’s successful annual pancake morning held on Shrove Tuesday at the Killarney Avenue Hotel.
Rockmount Care Centre provides essential support as a dedicated day care facility for individuals living with Dementia and Alzheimer’s, serving many clients and families from the Killarney area.
These funds arrive at a vital time, as they are earmarked for the centre’s new sensory garden project, which is currently in the design phase.
Pictured at the presentation are Soroptimists members handing over the proceeds to Mary Hussey. The society extended their thanks to the Killarney Avenue Hotel and all those who supported the fundraiser to help make this donation possible.

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