Daily Archives: October 19, 2019

Entertainment, News

PHOTOS: Great Fun, Cash Won And Thousands Raised For Blennerville NS At ‘The Chaser’

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MC for the evening, George McGrath with contestant David Dillane at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

A FUNDRAISER, based on the popular TV show ‘The Chase’, saw hundreds of people enjoy an entertaining Friday night at The Rose Hotel with around €25,000 realised for Blennerville school.

Hosted by the school contestants had the chance to win up to €1,500 if they could beat the Chasers who were former principal of the school Michael O’Connor, Cllr Terry O’Brien and Radio Kerry’s Deirdre Walsh.

Six people were chosen at random from the audience on the night to answer general knowledge questions with a few local knowledge questions thrown in.

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David Dillane was first up winning €600, Amy Roche was beaten by The Chaser but went home with €90, Catherine O’Shea won €400, Sinead O’Connor also beat The Chaser taking home €800, Marie Flaherty took home a consolation of €90, while the big winner was Mossie Murphy (playing for Martina Rohan) who took home €1,500.

There were two presenters from show-runners Pallas Marketing on the night — George McGrath acted as the quizmaster, while Tom Shanahan asked questions for spot prizes among the audience. There was also an auction and raffle with amazing prizes.

Local businesses were very generous with advertising and sponsorship making for a very successful fundraiser held in order to equip an extra classroom and to purchase much needed resources to benefit all children in Blennerville NS.

Principal of the school, Robbie O’Connell, said he was delighted with the night and thanked advertisers, the organising committee, The Rose Hotel, Pallas Marketing, the school community and everyone involved in making it such a success. Scroll down for photos…

Ciara Rogers, Olivia O’Shea and Marie Claire Healy at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Gina Barrett, Sarah Dinan and Catherine Moynihan at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Larissa Grigjane, Mark Thompson Fiona Costello and Michael and Galina Cotter at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Tracy Herbage and Deirdre O’Brien at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Nora Corridon, Rebecca O’Connell and Rebecca Roche at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Anthony O’Connor, Jessica O’Connr and Samantha Fitzgerald at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Sinead and Niamh O’Connor at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Kara and Karen Kelliher at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Linda Hennessy with Phoebe Hussey, Ailbhe Hennessy and Sadie Hennessy at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Hazel Flynn and Norma Flynn with Rylan Flynn and Jase Flynn at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Danny Moran with Róisín and Damien Moran at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Sorcha Ryan, Aine Quinn, Denise Shanahan, Anne Marie Scott, Gillian Lawlor and Debbie Moriarty at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Sue, Danielle, Sean and Aidan Berry at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Esther and Siobhan Coffey at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Claire Doyle and Fiona Fitzgerald at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Lorna Griffin and Josephine Griffin at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Elizabeth and Beatrice O’Sullivan and Eve Savage at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Mark and Elizabeth Sullivan at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Rebecca O’Connell, Michael Healy Rae and Robbie O’Connell at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Michael O’Connor, Louise Brassil and Deirdre Walsh at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
The big crowd at ‘The Chaser’ fundraiser in The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
News

PHOTOS: Over 1,000 Students Graduate At IT Tralee Ceremony (Part 1)

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Kayleigh McCarthy, Emma Condon, Samantha Ahern and Amy Griffin at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean

THE ‘Class of 2019’ received their graduation awards at the Institute of Technology, Tralee’s Conferring of Awards Ceremonies on Friday.

This year’s graduation marked a particularly special occasion for IT Tralee with all conferring ceremonies taking place at the newly opened Kerry Sports Academy facility that is home to the Health & Leisure Department and the Sports Programme at IT Tralee.

Bríd McElligott, Vice President of Research, Development and External Engagement said; “Today marks a momentous occasion for the graduates of the IT Tralee who along with their family and friends will celebrate this superb occasion at our newly opened Kerry Sports Academy. Developed at a cost of €19m, it is wonderful that the IT Tralee can now host its graduation ceremonies on site and we look forward to welcoming our graduates and their guests to celebrate their exceptional achievement on campus.”

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This year’s graduating classes included students from the School of Business, Computing and Humanities, the School of Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism, and the School of Health and Social Sciences and represent direct CAO applicants, mature students, international students, and those completing studies on a part-time basis.

The total number of students receiving their parchments on Friday was 1,030 ranging from Higher Certificates at Level 6 to Masters Degrees at Level 9, and included the first cohort of students from the Level 8 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Animation, Visual Effects and Motion Design.

Testament to the multicultural diversity at IT Tralee, this figure also included 297 International students who hail from Canada, China, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Jamaica, among other countries.

Also included in this number is 283 graduates from programmes completed through IT Tralee’s Lifelong Learning department, with the first graduates coming through the Higher Certificate in Engineering in Engineering Technology.

Acting President of the Institute, Dr Brendan O’Donnell, paid tribute to all graduates and their families for what they have achieved; “Today, we congratulate all of our graduates, their families and friends and recognise the hard work and dedication that led to this moment. This is the beginning of a new chapter in our graduates’ lives as they go forth into the workforce and continue their career journeys.” Scroll down for photos of students from the School of Business and Humanities…

Marie Noonan and Isabel Jordan (General Nursing) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Aoife Mitchell, Michelle Quinn and Niamh O’Brien (Early Childhood Care) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Sarah O’Sullivan, Siobhan O’Connor, Megan Leahy, Danielle Robinson and Danielle Berry (Early Childhood Care) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Caroline Larkin (Applied Social Care), Eileen Higgins (Counselling), Shane O’Shea (Social Care) and Vincent McDonnell (Social Care) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Katie Finn and Marie McMahon (Social Care) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Eilish O’Callaghan, Noreen O’Sullivan and Aisling Cotter (General Nursing) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Sorcha Dineen and Karen Walsh (General Nursing) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Kelly Moore and Olivia Derengowska (General Nursing) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Ewelina Olechowska and Christina Curtin (Mental Health Nursing) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Amanda Gentlemen (Acute Medicine), Bridget Foley, Mary O’Brien and Mary O’Connell (all Wound Management) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Sheila Finucane, Breda Langford, Margaret Crowley and Ken Miranda (Masters In Nursing) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Sonia Sheehan, Darragh Carmody, Mary Jo O’Connor, Teresa O’Sullivan, Niamh Sheehan and Muireann Deane (Emergency Nursing) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Nicola Howard, Billy O’Donoghue, Rachel Lane, Eimear McNamara and Clodagh Higgins (General Nursing) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Rachel McCarthy and Ailish Ahern (Early Childcare) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Shane O’Callaghan (Mental Health Nursing), Mortimer O’Shea and Tadhg O’Neill (General Nursing) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Lecturer Derry O’Mahony, Cliona Costello, Amy Hever (Mental Health Nursing) and lecturer Joan Murphy at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Valentine Ekweoba, Petra Ojogun, Michael Modozie (General Nursing) and lecturer Mary Fitzgibbon at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Ciara Powell (Social Care) and Ciara Maunsell (General Nursing) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Laura Monaghan, Jennifer White, Sharon O’Connor and Ella Hodson (Early Childhood Care) and at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Emma Naughton, Breda Horgan, Rebecca McGovern, Michelle McCarthy and Brid Hayes (Childcare) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Patrycia Nowakiewacz, Alyssa Havel and Siún Moran (Early Childhood Care) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Alanna Moss (General Nursing) and Donal O’Grady (Mental Health Nursing) at the IT Tralee graduation ceremony in the Kerry Sports Academy on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean

More photos from the graduation ceremony coming on Sunday

Entertainment, WHAT'S ON

Kerry Man Nominated In Two Categories For RTE Radio 1 Folk Awards

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KILLARNEY singer/songwriter Junior Brother has been nominated in two categories for the RTE Radio 1 Folk Awards.

RTÉ Radio 1 earlier this month announced the shortlist for the upcoming Folk Awards taking place in Vicar Street on Thursday, October 24 and Junior Brother is nominated for Best Folk Album and Best Emerging Folk Act.

Chosen as one of RTÉ’s Rising Irish Stars of 2018, Junior Brother (aka Ronan Fealy) has been steadily building a fanbase in his current base of Dublin, and around the country, winning followers with his unique and powerful live shows and alternative folk music.

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Celebrating the second year of the dedicated folk awards to be held in Ireland, categories include Best Original Folk Track, Best Original Folk Track, Best Emerging Folk Act, Best Folk Instrumentalist, Best Traditional Folk Track, Best Folk Singer and Best Folk Group with a new category added this year for Best Folk Album.

John Creedon and Ruth Smith will once again present the awards ceremony on the night. The RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards will  be broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1 on the night from 8pm and highlights from the awards will be broadcast on RTÉ One on Saturday, October 26 at 11.15pm.

Health&Fitness, Lifestyle, News

Kerry People Asked To Take Part In ‘Wear A Hat Day’ For Brain Tumour Ireland

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IRISH charity Brain Tumour Ireland (BTI) is calling on the people of Kerry to don their favourite hat in support of its annual fundraising campaign #WearAHatDay on Friday,  October 25.

The annual campaign raises funds for the charity’s vital support and information services for people diagnosed with brain tumours and their families. A €4 donation can be made by simply texting BTI to 50300.

Over 400 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour in Ireland each year with many contacting Brain Tumour Ireland for support when they receive their diagnosis.

As well as the practical supports and information, Brain Tumour Ireland also raises awareness of brain tumours and their symptoms among the public and the medical professions and contributes funding to brain tumour research initiatives.

This year, Brain Tumour Ireland has partnered with milliner Deb Fanning, who is donating a bespoke head piece as a prize for the ‘Best Selfie’ posted with the hashtag ‘#WearAHatDay’.

Ciara Peters, Brain Tumour Ireland spokesperson, said, “We’re calling on the people of Kerry to get involved on Friday, 25th October to support the work that Brain Tumour Ireland does – by simply wearing their favourite hat on the day and donating €4 by texting BTI to 50300.

“We receive no State funding so our #WearAHatDay campaign is essential in funding our services year-round. A brain tumour diagnosis can have a devastating impact on patients and their families and we’re hoping that the public will show their support for people diagnosed with brain tumours and have a little fun by getting involved in this campaign. We’re very grateful to Deb Fanning for donating her beautiful piece for our ‘Best Selfie’ prize. We can’t wait to see the creative hats and photos shared on the 25th October. If last year is anything to go by, the difficult part will be picking a winner!”

#WearAHatDay is taking place ahead of International Brain Tumour Awareness Week which runs from October  26 to November 2. For further information, please visit: https://braintumourireland.com/news/brain-tumour-awareness-week/

News

Know Your Rights: Tax Relief On Tuition Fees 

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Know Your Rights has been compiled by Kerry Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public…

Question: My brother and I have started in third-level college this year. Can my parents claim any tax relief on our fees?

Answer: Your parents may be able to claim tax relief on both tuition fees, including the student contribution (sometimes called the registration fee) for the following approved courses:

Full-time and part- time undergraduate courses in both private or publicly funded third-level colleges – in approved colleges in Ireland or in any EU member state. The course must be for at least two years’ duration.

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• Postgraduate courses in private and publicly funded colleges in Ireland as well as universities and publicly funded colleges in other countries (EU and non-EU).

• Postgraduate courses must be between one and four years in duration and students must already have a primary degree or equivalent qualification.

• Foreign language and IT courses that are less than two years’ duration and which result in the award of a certificate of competence. The course fees paid must not be less than €315 and not more than €1,270.

Tax relief is given at the standard rate of 20%. You can claim it as long as you have actually paid the fees, either on your own behalf or on behalf of another person. There is no limit on the number of individuals you can claim for.

The maximum amount of fees, including the Student Contribution, that can qualify for tax relief is €7,000 per person per course.

For a full-time student for the 2019/2020 academic year, there is no tax relief on the first €3,000 spent on tuition fees, including the Student Contribution.

There is no tax relief on the first €1,500 spent on tuition fees for part-time students. If you are claiming for more than one student, you will get full tax relief on tuition fees for the second or subsequent students.

You can claim tax relief on tuition fees using Revenue’s myAccount service. Alternatively you can download an application form from revenue.ie and return the completed form to your Revenue office.

Lists of courses and colleges approved for relief each year are published on the Revenue website. Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.

• Contact us in: Tralee on Tel: 0761 07 7860 Killarney 0761 07 7820 Listowel 0761 07 7840 Kenmare 0761 07 7810 Caherciveen 0761 07 7780. 

Outreach Services; Killorglin weekly, Dingle monthly, please call Tralee for more information. Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, 0761 07 4000