Well, there was great excitement in the area on Saturday night when Gerard Barrett was awarded the winner of the Irish Film Board Rising Star Award at the 10th IFTA awards night in Dublin. His film PILGRIM HILL follows the life of Jimmy, a bachelor farmer living in rural Ireland fighting isolation and loneliness while caring for his ill father. It stars local Kerry actor Joe Mullins as Jimmy and was filmed over seven days in Kerry. It had its World Premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh where it received rave reviews and won the Bingham Ray New Talent Award in association with Magnolia Pictures. ‘Pilgrim Hill’ was written, directed and produced by Gerard Barrett. The cast includes Joe Mullins, Muiris Crowley, Corina Gough and Kevin McCormack. Gerard is the youngest son of Joe and Peggy and was born in 1987, attended St. Michaels Secondary School, Listowel before going to Tralee IT where he studied Film, TV and Media. We will watch this Rising Star and wish him well in his career.

Gerard Barrett from Carrueragh, Knockanure who won an IFTA Award in Dublin on Saturday night last for Best Rising Star for his film Pilgrim

Gerard Barrett from Carrueragh, Knockanure who won an IFTA Award in Dublin on Saturday night last for Best Rising Star for his film Pilgrim

Happy 90th birthday to Patie Geoghegan, Turraree, who will be ninety years old this St. Valentine’s Day. All his neighbours and friends wish him well. Patie, who is a very popular man, is one of the oldest pupils who will be attending the Clounleharde Reunion in June, please God.

I extend sympathy to Domhnall De Barra on the death, at a great age, of his mother-in-law Mrs Hannon this week.

Glin Library will be closed for a week beginning Monday February 25th. BUT that means it is open for these two weeks and all are welcome. At the beginning of  the year is a nice time to renew your membership if it has lapsed. It is important to keep these small libraries active.

Who would have thought we would be the generation to see such changes in the Vatican with the first Pope to resign in 600 years? We are really living in times of change.