Thoroughly civilised afternoon at the pictures enjoyed by seniors at Siamsa Tíre

Marie Duffy and Cathy Kelliher get ready to take their seats at Siamsa Tíre

When we get a bit older we're probably not too pushed about going to see a computer-generated vision of the apocalypse, or a teenage flesh-fest, or to take a three-dimensional trip to the intergalactic jungle home of extra-terrestrial smurf-like creatures. Our appetite for hot-dogs, nachos, titanic sized portions of popcorn and buckets of fizz will perhaps diminish somewhat as we advance in our years, and we may wish for a more elegant and demure way to enjoy a great movie on a big screen in the company of our peers.

If that does happen to me someday, I hope that Kerry Film Festival's active retired screenings are still being held at Siamsa Tire.

In spite of my tender years I was lucky enough to be present Wednesday afternoon’s screening of The Night of the Hunter, a classic dating back to 1955 starring Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters and Lillian Gish. There was a great atmosphere as film lovers gathered for tea, coffee and biscuits, chatting to friends and admiring some of the artwork on display around Siamsa Tire, prior to the film.

The monthly active retired screenings will continue at 2pm on June 1st with 1944 classic National Velvet starring Mickey Rooney and Elizabeth Taylor. All films cost just €2 to anyone over the age of sixty-five and refreshments are provided by Kerry Film Festival.

It’s a great social occasion as well as a unique opportunity for seasoned film enthusiasts to see some fantastic films on the big screen, and without a smurf in sight.

For more information, please call Kerry Film Festival on 066 712 9934.

Kerry Film Festival and Kerry Bicycle Festival to join forces for 'Race Across America'

Kerry Film Festival is teaming up with Kerry Bicycle Festival to present the feature length cycling documentary film Race Across America at 8pm on Friday 6th May at Siamsa Tire, Tralee. The screening will mark the start of a week of bicycle themed festivities which will be launched at Siamsa Tire at 6:30pm the same evening.

Race across America tells the story of one of the world's toughest sporting events where competitors pedal three-thousand miles across America. Often cycling for twenty-two hours a day with one hour of sleep, the brave souls who accept the challenge must find and crush their physical, emotional and spiritual limits or risk being left humbled somewhere on the roads of America.

"We're delighted to be bringing this fascinating documentary to the Kerry Bicycle Festival. The Bicycle Festival organisers have put together a great programme and the launch will be a fantastic evening." said Jason O'Mahony, Kerry Film Festival Director. "Thankfully, I understand that the events planned for the Bicycle Festival will be considerably more leisurely and family friendly, and will not require anyone to challenge their physical or emotional endurance," he added.