
Kingdom County Show turns 75 as this year's outing is officially launched ahead of event in May
The weekend, which always proves hugely popular, is once again promises something for everyone with an unforgettable mix of entertainment, tradition, and fun for all ages set to be on offer.
From exciting livestock competitions and top-class equestrian events to a lively dog show, vintage tractors, food and craft stalls, and the ever-popular kids' zone and petting farm, the show will be bursting with attractions. Families will be able to enjoy live music, interactive exhibitions, and delicious local food, while farming enthusiasts can explore the latest in agricultural innovation and machinery.
In celebration of its 75th year, the Kingdom County Show also said this week that they are incredibly proud to support the incredible Little Blue Heroes Foundation, a charity dedicated to helping families of seriously ill children, many of whom dream of one day becoming little Gardaí. The show will be raising funds and awareness for this much-loved cause throughout the weekend.
Speaking at the launch, Show Chairperson Michael Costello said: 'Reaching 75 years is a remarkable achievement. It speaks volumes about the unwavering support of our community, the tireless efforts of our volunteers, and the passion of all who've contributed over the years. We're delighted to celebrate with a two-day event that has something for everyone — and we're proud to support Little Blue Heroes as part of it.'
With the countdown now on, the Kingdom County Show is gearing up to welcome thousands of visitors for a weekend that celebrates all that's great about Kerry, its heritage, its future, and its vibrant community.
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The Irish Sun
27-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
RTE Fair City viewers all call Ger Lynch a ‘con artist' after she demands money from Lorcan after shop accident
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Irish Times
10-07-2025
- Irish Times
RTÉ's ‘Noraid: Irish America and the IRA' leans towards the Che Guevara version of history
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That is, the slaughter of pensioners on Remembrance Sunday, the kidnapping and murder of businessmen, industrial-scale bank robbery. That isn't to absolve the British state of its sins in the North , its backing of loyalist death squads or the stain of colonialism, as dark as not-quite-dried blood. But the documentary does not convey, or even really acknowledge, the horror the overwhelming majority of people in Ireland felt at the time towards the Provos. And that is relevant to the story, as it also explains the widespread revulsion towards Noraid. If anything, the first of two episodes leans ever so subtly towards the Che Guevara version of history – never mind the body count; look at the cool poster we got out of it. READ MORE Hipster touches abound as the producers play up the New York element of the story. The Beastie Boys feature on the soundtrack, and the title cards are modelled on old cop shows. These are flourishes that do not always sit well with the grim subject matter. 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That said, modern Sinn Féin's hipster-Marxist axis won't be thrilled to learn that Noraid expunged any hint of socialism from imported copies of An Phoblacht because that sort of thing would not have gone down well with Irish Americans. Nor do the producers address the uncomfortable fact that Irish America – so keen on the physical force of republicanism – would go on to become a power base for Donald Trump and, thus of 21st century Neo-Fascist. Interviewed today, Galvin is unapologetic and still retains some of the firebrand qualities that are a feature of his archive appearances. The documentary is also careful to point out that while Noraid organised fundraisers for Sinn Féin, it never supplied arms to the Provos. The task of smuggling guns across the Atlantic fell to organised criminals. That story will be told in part two and will touch on the role of Whitey Bulger (as later played on screen by Johnny Depp). But part one provides a fascinating portrait of a crucial element of the struggles – of true believers from across the sea who seemed to fancy themselves more Irish than those in the 26 counties who didn't much care about the Constitutional status of the North, only that people stopped dying. 'What I've found is the diaspora make a serious attempt to understand the Irish culture, whereas a lot of people that are actually from the island of Ireland have never made an attempt to understand the diaspora culture,' says Chris Byrne, a former New York cop and republican sympathiser. It is a reminder few are as committed to the spilling of blood in Ireland as those who never set foot here.


Irish Independent
29-06-2025
- Irish Independent
From the Kerry archives, June 30, 2000: A Sonny Knowles riot, King Puck statue & farewell to Mercy Sisters
A near riot breaks out at Sonny Knowles concert Sonnuy Knowles fans are still recovering from the shock of the near riot which broke out in the John Mitchel's clubhouse on Saturday night and which led to seven people being hospitalised. Fights broke out at the end of the concert while a local performer was on stage. Eye witnesses said that a group of young people, both men and women, suddenly turned on each other and began throwing bottles, ash trays and anything else they could find. Gardaí made one arrest on the night but witnesses said there was a core group of at least 15 people directly involved in the fighting. The incident, which occurred after Sonny Knowles had left the stage, was particularly shocking for the large number of middle aged, and elderly people who had expected an enjoyable night out. John Mitchels Chairman Denis Boyle said the club was sorry for anyone who was upset on the night. But he said the night was a success up to the point when fighting broke out. "The night was a success as far as we are concerned and we are going to be holding other nights for people in the locality. There are people who are prisoners in their own homes, so our price structure was right for them with £3 tickets,' Mr Boyle said. "We looked after people. We got taxis for them and we drove older people home and they were delighted. They didn't know what happened as it was only later on," the added. One woman in her fifties, who was caught up in the middle of the fighting with her friends, said it was the most 'terrifying experience that I have ever had.' "A large group of people just started fighting at the end of the concert, a disaster at the end of a lovely evening. It could have been a lot worse because of the age group alone. The majority of people were from 40 years old to 80 years old. For people of that age to be trampled is just not on,' she said. "My friend got a belt of an ashtray. Her her was pulled and her face was burned by the ashes. Another friend got hit by a bottle when she was coming out of the toilet and had to go to the hospital,' she said. The eyewitness said she was too scared to leave the building, even when the fight died down, in case she came across the aggressors. "There should have been more security, without a doubt, in such a packed hall,' she said. "At the moment, I am frightened to go out and I don't I will ever put my foot in John Mitchel's again,' she said. Killorglin to cast King Puck in bronze for millennium Killorglin's annual Puck Fair – which attracts huge numbers of tourists to the town every year – is to be greatly enhanced with the erection of a £32,000 bronze sculpture of King Puck in the town. The Killorglin Millennium committee applied to the government for funding for the statue under the national millennium project. But when the submission was not successful, the committee decided to go ahead with the plans to erect the bronze statue, which is one and a half times the size of a real goat. Valentia Island native Alan Ryan Hall – famous for his statues of Charlie Chaplin, and Charles, de Gaulle in, other areas of South Kerry – has been commissioned to sculpt the statue. According to Jacinta Browne, chairperson of the committee overseeing the project, the sculpture is expected to begin construction in the autumn. "Located as it is on the Ring of Kerry, this win be an emblem for the town when it is done. But it will take a lot of work and a lot of fundraising will have to be carried out," she said. Wonderful plans have been assembled .and the statue will be located on a huge boulder in front of the town which has made him King," she added. Ms Browne said that the idea was borne out of local people's views and aspirations for the town for the millennium year. A group was set up with the idea of coming up with a suitable project for the town and the result is the statue of King Puck. "We have an enthusiastic group of people behind us," Ms Browne said, "but we need a lot of money for the project. We have some promises of money and some has been collected to date but there has been no government money allocated so there is a lot to be collected still." She appealed to people to assist in the funding of what will be a landmark project for the town. She added that the visual impact of the sculpture will be stunning with the river, bridge and town as a backdrop, the McGillycuddy Reeks to the south and the Sliabh Mish mountains to the north of it. "As the sculpture stands at the gateway to South Kerry, it will enhance not only Killorglin, but the rest of the region as a place to be seen and explored," she said. The first main part of the fundraising will take place on August 4 at the Fishery restaurant when a Lord Mayor will be elected for the town. Three local men – Paudie Cronin, Brendan Moriarty and Kevin Goggin – will compete for the honour. A number of other fundraising events have been organised including the Flag Day, which will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Puck Fair itself which runs from August 10 12 will incorporate a number of fundraising events, all which aim to come up with the money for the unique project for Killorglin. Last Mercy Sister Says Farewell An important chapter in the history of Ballybunion was brought to a close this week when the last Mercy Sister attached to St Joseph's primary school, Sister Maire NI Dhúbhda, said farewell to her former pupils and teaching colleagues. The Mercy Sisters have been associated with teaching the young people of Ballybunion both in St Joseph's primary school and secondary school since 1888, but the nuns announced last year that due to falling vocations, they would be closing their Ballybunion convent. Castlegregory born Sr Maire, who was principal of St Joseph's for eight years, was the last link between the Mercy Order and the school and as she told The Kerryman, it was a very emotional day for her. "The nuns have been gone from Ballybunion since last August and now that I have resigned as principal, the last link has been severed. But I would like to think that the Mercy ethos in the school lives on," she said. "Obviously it's a sad day but I have some lovely memories to keep me going. I always found it a very friendly school and I settled in here very quickly and made a lot of memories over the years.' The convent building at the rear of the school has been sold, but the school itself will remain open, with 130 pupils. Joan Lyons, the first lay teacher who was appointed at the school in 1967 has been appointed principal.