News
Three-day conference to mark centenary of Civil War in Kerry and Ireland
A three-day conference in February will mark the centenary of the Civil War and will bring together a wide range of local, national and international experts, historians and academics to discuss the conflict and its legacy.
The conference will be held at the Siamsa Tíre Theatre from February 23 to 25. It will form part of the State’s Decade of Centenaries Programme for 2023 and is supported by Kerry County Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht Sport and Media.
Involving expert speakers and academics from a broad spectrum of relevant disciplines, the centenary conference will present the events of 1922-1923 to a wide audience, with a particular focus on Kerry where the conflict was extremely visceral, violent and protracted.
The History, Memory and Legacy conference is presented by a team of experienced historians and event organisers including Dr Mary McAuliffe, Bridget McAuliffe and Owen O’Shea.
It will analyse, debate and embrace the complexities, contradictions and nuances of this extremely turbulent, divisive and traumatic period, both in the local context of war in Kerry and in the broader context of Irish Civil War history.
“The objective of the conference is to set what occurred in Kerry in wider national and international contexts through the presentation of new research, archival testimonies and the accounts of combatants, as well as civilians, so that, a century later, the Irish Civil War can be considered and understood afresh,” Dr McAuliffe said.
“As part of the conclusion to the Decade of Centenaries, 2012-2023, the conference will also consider the impact of commemoration on history, memory and politics over the last decade,” she added.
Keynote speakers will include Professor Diarmaid Ferriter of UCD, Professor Bill Kissane of the London School of Economics and Dr Leeann Lane of Dublin City University. Papers will be presented by a wide range of Kerry historians including Dr Richard McElligott, Dr Helene O’Keeffe, Dr Dáithí Ó Corráin, Helen O’Carroll, Owen O’Shea and Kieran McNulty.
A roundtable discussion on the legacy of the Civil War in Kerry and beyond will be chaired by Dr David McCullagh and will feature a wide range of experienced historians and authors.
The conference, which is supported by Kerry County Council, will be a key event under the Community Strand of the State’s 2023 Decade of Centenaries Programme. It is presented in association with University College Dublin Gender Studies and the Department of Computing, Creative Media and Information Technology at the Munster Technological University, Kerry.
The event will feature a project presented by students at MTU Kerry. 'Is Mise, Le Meas' focuses on creating a set of inspiring visual responses to Civil War narratives, drawing on original documentation and poignant letters sent and received during this tumultuous and formative period in Irish history.
Other ancillary events, including a concert of song, poetry and letters from the period, are also being organised and the details will be announced shortly.
For more information, see www.kerrycivilwarconference.ie
There is a reason Killarney is so tidy
By Eamonn Fitzgerald
Killarney won the overall national award as Ireland’s Tidiest town in 2011 and, since then, has consistently won gold medals and several category titles. In 2023, Killarney was Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town.
The 2024 overall winner was Ballincollig on 386 marks, followed by Killarney on 384. We need a two-pointer, so let’s all pull together for that orange flag, as the judges are on the circuit for the 2026 awards.
Winning an All-Ireland title takes a lot of planning, commitment, dedication, and continuous work. That was needed to win the Sam Maguire in 2025. Now the race is on for Sam’s return. Killarney would also cherish winning the overall Tidiest Town in Ireland.
It is a huge challenge for Killarney with so many visitors swelling the resident population of 14,351. Recently, there was Bike Fest, two big games at Fitzgerald Stadium- the Munster football final, with an attendance of close to 33,000, and the Donegal game, which attracted over 22,000. If even 50 % of the people dropped one piece of litter, a wrapping, paper coffee cup, or plastic water bottle, the accumulated litter would be enormous. It is my custom to walk around Killarney, especially on the morning after a big event, but by 10.00 am on Monday mornings, the town is spic and span. All litter disappeared overnight. Magic?
No. Noel O’Leary had his Killarney Town Council staff working from dawn, complemented by Mick Gleeson’s volunteers from Killarney Looking Good. Such cooperation between the statutory body and volunteers is very rare indeed. We should not take it for granted but appreciate this cooperative effort to maintain Killarney as the Town we love so well, just like Phil Coulter appreciates his native Derry. Let us all row in, bring home your own litter or use the bins provided, and if you see a stray piece of litter, put it in the nearest bin. Teams win All-Irelands, not individuals. Let’s all do our bit: it will make a difference. Ní neart go cur le chéile.
HIQA registration delays opening of new hospital
Confusion surrounds the opening date of the new 130-bed Killarney Community Nursing Unit, with a Dáil debate revealing that a previous end-of-June opening target is now dependent on resolving outstanding registration issues with the health watchdog, HIQA.
Speaking in the Dáil this week, Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae criticised the ongoing delays, stating that Kerry TDs were assured by local HSE management on May 29 that the facility would open before the end of June. However, county councillors at a HSE SouthWest Forum were informed a week later that this target would not be met.
“Who is calling the shots? Is it the HSE at national level? Is it the Minister?” Deputy Healy-Rae asked. “The lights have been on in the building since before Christmas and it was cleared to go. We are begging for this on our knees.”
He highlighted that the delay impacts 30 planned dementia-specific beds, as well as broader plans for a minor injuries unit and a primary care centre at the St Columbanus’s site.
Responding on behalf of the government, Deputy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor maintained that the HSE still expects the unit to open before the end of June, but confirmed the timeline depends entirely on HIQA registration.
“The HSE is engaging with HIQA regarding a small number of outstanding issues,” she said. “Once HIQA registration is granted, the HSE will set a date and move forward with the transfer of residents.”
Deputy Healy-Rae countered that the response was identical to information provided by the government a month ago. He questioned why staffing agreements and HIQA certifications were not finalised sooner, given the building was structurally completed last December.
INMO serves notice of industrial action
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has served notice of industrial action on HSE South West over proposed staffing levels at the new facility.
The union stated that its members are deeply dissatisfied with the proposed rosters, which they claim fall short of the staffing required to deliver safe care on day and night duties.
INMO Industrial Relations Executive Kathryn Courtney said there is a significant staffing gap compared to similar facilities, leaving members with no choice but to take action.
There is a reason Killarney is so tidy
There is a reason Killarney is so tidy By Eamonn Fitzgerald Killarney won the overall national award as Ireland’s Tidiest...
HIQA registration delays opening of new hospital
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