The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Killarney Die Cast & Diorama Show: where life is made to measure
IF you’ve ever experienced the thrill and excitement as a child looking inside a toy truck, model ship or aeroplane, then chances are you were awestruck by the scale and magic of imagination. If all this sounds familiar, or perhaps you already have an interest in model machinery and collectables such as aircraft, cars, ships, boats, dolls houses, trains, Lego creations – even vintage Irish farm and quarry displays, then you’ll be pleased to know the third annual Killarney Die Cast and Diorama Show takes place at The Torc Hotel, Killarney, on August 7 from 10.30am to 5pm with some nice prizes up for grabs, including hotel breaks, cash and spot prizes.
Sean Healy and Shane Jennings are the men behind the Die Cast and Diorama Show and it looks very much like their younger sons are equally as interested and will continue as keen hobbyists for many years to come. Both men believe such an interest is a great way to bond with children as Sean and his 9-year old son Ryan enjoy nothing more than travelling the country with their model displays.
Proceeds from this year’s event will go towards the Irish Kidney Association and the Kerry Cork Health Link Bus, which is fitting considering both organisations are very close to Sean’s heart as he recently battled cancer, and some years previous his father had a kidney transplant.
“Both these organisations gave my father and I a second chance in life and it’s something we feel we would like do. Just to give something back. When I was recuperating from my illness I also spent a lot of time making model displays and I’ve always had a big interest in this for years and now my son Ryan, as well as Shane’s sons, also love it,” Sean explained.
And one final word on this year’s show?
“It promises to be excellent and we have people coming from all over the country with displays. We have guys who built Irish Navy boats, some of which are up to eight-feet long. There will also be a thirty-foot by ten-foot display of model machinery operating in a quarry under a marquee.
There’s even a model rally display on show! Some of this stuff has to be seen to be believed. I’ve seen people arrive who had no interest and left having really enjoyed it and in full appreciation for the work involved. So be sure to pop in and see for yourself the magic die cast and diorama displays have to offer.”