New creative hub to bring film industry together Killarney father calls for Cystic Fibrosis support

| By Michelle Crean

“I have three wonderful sons, who all happen to have CF," Tim said.

| By Michelle Crean

David Coffey Wheatley from Killarney set up Kingdom Studios which he dreams will become a bustling creative hub where people in the industry can work on films together.

This new voluntary service he feels will help people boost their own CVs in the field they specialise in such as acting, directing, hair and make-up, editing etc.

"I just want to help as many people as possible when it comes to films in Ireland and this will be a start," David, who was part of the 2021 Olivia Colman film 'Joyride' in the stag do scene, told the Killarney Advertiser.

David has also made a few short independent films via D&R Productions including 'The Mob'. He also writes a lot of the scripts for D&R including 'Spin on Reality' in 2020 and 'The Mob 2' in 2021.

"I've always felt there needs to be something to help small creative minds in Kerry. We all know it's a struggle to get into that industry of acting and so on, so I felt we definitely needed something in this day and age. I've spoken to several people over the years that have said this. I took it upon myself to do it. I had the idea two years ago because when we had D&R Productions I was being intro- duced to new people around Kerry that are into acting and movies. The whole idea is the creative hub is a place where people in different fields can come and work together. Everyone will be getting experience from it in the field they are in so the actors that get brought on to help the scriptwriters will get more acting experience and so on."

CREATIVE: David Coffey Wheatley from Killarney has set up Kingdom Studios to help those involved in the film industry.

To find out more check out www.kingdomstudiosireland.com.

A Killarney father of three boys - who were all born with Cystic Fibrosis - is calling on the public to donate to the 65 Roses Day today (Friday).

Tim O'Donoghue says the access to vital CF services is what helps them to lead a full and healthy life.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited chronic disease that primarily affects the lungs and the digestive system. Ireland has the highest incidence of CF in the world and some of the most severe types. There are more than 1,400 people living with CF in Ireland and the number is increasing each year as a result of improvements in treatment and care.

Today volunteers will be out in force collecting for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s annual fundraising day. It is called 65 Roses Day as it derives its name from the way in which young children often first say the words "Cystic Fibrosis".

Funds raised on 65 Roses Day will help to provide exercise equipment, counselling sessions and grants for people with CF undergoing a transplant or fertility assessment, or for families with CF who have recently been bereaved. Funds also go to support Cystic Fibrosis research and the building of new CF hospital facilities and the funding of specialist CF staff.

"We have always worked hard as a family to keep the lads healthy and keep them on track with their treatment. The eldest is 21 now and while there have been challenging times over the years, we have found that it isn’t just family support that is needed, but access to facilities, grants and services that can help the lads live their best life. That is why I am supporting 65 Roses Day this year, to call on people to donate and help CFI continue to provide these vital supports, which I, for one, am very glad to have availed of.”

Radio stations have been playing ‘Breathe Easy’ sung by Stephanie Rainey in the lead up to today's fundraiser. All royalties earned from every radio play are being donated to Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. ‘Breathe Easy’ is an original song written by professional songwriter Myles Gaffney in memory of his late-niece Ciara O’Gorman, who died from Cystic Fibrosis complications in 2017 aged 24, 12 days after giving birth to her son, Rocco.

To support Cystic Fibrosis Ireland on 65 Roses Day today (Friday), donate online at 65roses.ie or buy a purple rose in Dunnes Stores or other participating outlets nationwide. People can also donate to the ‘Breathe Easy’ 65 Roses Day fundraiser on Just Giving at www.justgiving. com/fundraising/BreatheEasySong.

APPRECIATION: The Kerry Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation made a ‘Gift of Thanks’ to members who gave their time and wisdom to the branch and continuous support and over the past number of years and now have stepped back from their roles to pursue other ventures. Pictured were: Frank Slattery (Carrig House), Danny Bowe (The Castlerosse Hotel), Niamh O’Shea (The Killarney Park Hotel) and Michael Rosney (Killeen House Hotel) are pictured with Bernadette Randles (Chairperson, Kerry IHF) at the honouring event in Randles Hotel, Killarney last week. Missing from photo are Terence Mulcahy (The International Hotel) and Michael O’Donoghue (O’Donoghue/Ring Hotels). Also in attendance are in front: Emer Corridan (The Cahernane Hotel), and Tracey Coyne (The International Hotel). At back are: Mark Scally (Great Southern Killarney), Patrick O’Donoghue (Gleneagle Hotel Group), Carmel Guihen (General Manger Aghadoe Heights Hotel), Kamile Lyne (General Manager Randles Hotel), Michael Lally (Butler Arms Hotel, Waterville), Donie O’Brien (ENO Wines), Michael Jacobi (Managing Director, Hayfield Family Collection), Sinead McCarthy (The Brehon Hotel), Claire Slattery (Carrig House), Marcus Tracy (Killarney Park Hotel), Mark Bowe (Castlerosse Park Resort) and Garrett Power (Muckross Park Hotel). Photo: Don MacMonagle