KERRY’S SPECIAL SCREENING

Killarney’s INEC welcomed the ‘OsKars’ last Thursday night and The Kerryman’s Sinead Kelleher was there to check out the local acting talent

THE words of Fr Ted aka Geraldine Pigott – ‘We had a blast’ – sums up what every cast and committee member and attendee was feeling at the hugely successful OsKaRs at the INEC on Thursday night.

The INEC was packed to the rafters to watch the premiere of seven locally made versions of well know hit films on the big screen.

The films, featuring local actors and producers, receiving nothing but praise from all those attendance and the cast and crew of each film can rightly take a bow at the wonderful production of some well known Hollywood hits.

First one on the night was a locally made version of Forrest Gump with the leading role played by Kevin Kelleher who gave Tom Hanks a run for his money in the 10 minute version of the award winning film.

As Judge Maeve McGrath said after the screening “if this is the standard of what is to come” and it was the standard – Each of the seven productions deserved the praise and applause they got proving that with hard work, dedication and strong community spirit anything is possible.

Next on the film list was A Few Good Women, part of which was shot in Killarney Courthouse; Fr Ted, filmed in Sarah Jane’s lingerie boutique on New Street; followed by The Field, much of which was shot in Spillane’s Bar in Headford.

The final three films were Sister Act, The Snapper which garnered more than a few laughs and Michael Collins, with Donal Dwyer playing the Big Fellow.

The cast and crew of each of the productions walked the red carpet as they arrived at the INEC for their night of fame and took their places in the front row for the OsKaRs ceremony.

The OsKaRs was a joint fundraiser for Kilcummin and Glenflesk GAA clubs, and without doubt one of the most successful fundraisers to take place in Killarney in recent years.

As organiser Niamh Dwyer said in the final speeches on Thursday night Ni Neart Go Cur Le Cheile – there is no strength without unity and this rings more than true as two Kerry clubs proved that anything is indeed possible having joined forces to put together one of the best fundraisers Killarney has ever seen.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Con Lynch and Deirdre O’Donoghue at the OsKaRs in the INEC, Killarney on Friday.

Photos by Michelle Cooper Galvin Aideen and Shane O’Callaghan, Eileen O’Donoghue, Tom O’Sullivan and Janet O’Donoghue at the Oskar’s in the INEC, Killarney on Thursday.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Caroline Keane, Elaine Shine, Tara and Mary Murphy at the Oskar’s in the INEC, Killarney on Friday.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Elaine O’Brien, Jan O’Sullivan, Ava McCrohan and Noelette Casey at the OsKaRs in the INEC, Killarney on Friday.

Siobhan Coakley, Eileen O’Sullivan, Teresa Casey, Joan O’Shea, Caroline Griffin. Back: Johnny Courtney, Denise Lucey, Emma Looney and Kathleen Ryan (and Tom Jones) at the OsKaRs in the INEC, Killarney on Thursday.

Photos by Michelle Cooper Galvin Kerryman journalist Sinead Kelleher and Healy at the OsKaRs in the INEC on Thurs LEFT: Nicola and Sheila Dickson enjoying of the OsKaRs at the INEC.

Elizabeth Stack and Shauna O’Leary