Daily Archives: October 15, 2021

News

Daly Says Urgent Action Is Needed At UHK Before Winter Season

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Deputy Pa Daly.

KERRY Sinn Féin TD, Pa Daly, has expressed concern at delays in capital improvements to University Hospital Kerry and has called on Minister Donnelly for urgent intervention ahead of the winter season.

Deputy Daly said he is contacted daily by constituents regarding the situation in University Hospital Kerry and the HSE, expressing concern about the under-staffing at the hospital which is leading to lack of services, delays in care, and causing undue stress and worry.

“Since the election, one of the most pressing issues has been University Hospital Kerry,” said Deputy Daly.

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“It is the only acute hospital in our county, and people are genuinely concerned. In November 2020 Kerry TDs secured a meeting regarding the measures UHK was taking to address staffing issues and capacity constraints at the hospital.  We heard about works due to be carried out over the Winter of 2020/21 including a Cardiology Unit; ICU expansion and improvements; new buildings for Oncology Services, an Orthopaedic Ward as well as Women’s Health / Colposcopy outpatients department to be located in Tralee town centre.

“Earlier this week, I attended another meeting with the South/South West Hospital Group and UHK Management, attended by all Kerry TDs to discuss the current situation.  I was very disappointed to hear that works due to be completed have not moved at all.

“These works, apparently approved and budgeted for, are sitting on a desk in Capital Projects within the HSE in Dublin.  This is simply unacceptable and I have requested updates on the status of all UHK capital projects with Minister Donnelly.”

He also called on Minister Donnelly to make plans to install a modular unit at the front of the hospital to facilitate assessments and Covid overflow, and relieve the crisis within the Emergency Department.

“It is clear that we will not manage through the winter unless the Minister acts now to alleviate the overcrowding.  This is a measure that is already budgeted well ahead of Budget 2022 and there is no reason for a further delay,” he said.

“Staffing within the hospital has to be addressed as a matter of priority. There is no plan at the moment to restart Elective Surgeries in UHK and this was extremely disappointing to hear. I was particularly disappointed to hear shortly after the meeting that the Aghadoe ward would be closed in UHK to address capacity issues,” he added.

News, SCHOOLS

Kerry GAA Stars Return To Holy Family To Raise Amber Flag

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David Moran and Tommy Walsh with teacher Tommy Lyons, Principal Maria O’Regan and Holy Family sixth class pupils at the raising of the Amber Flag at the school on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean

TWO Kerry GAA stars returned to their alma mater, on Friday morning to help the sixth class pupils raise the Pieta House Amber Flag.

Tommy Walsh and David Moran also spoke to the pupils at Holy Family NS about the importance of mental health and being kind to one another.

The Pieta House Amber Flag initiative recognises the efforts of the school community to create a healthy, inclusive environment that supports mental well-being.

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Congratulating the school on the achievement, Tommy Walsh said there was great credit due to the pupils and teachers taking part in the initiative.

“Mental health is so important,” said Tommy. “It’s not something that was spoken about when we were in school, so you’re lucky to have an initiative like this. When you think of ‘wellness’ with us as footballers, you associate it with being fit and not being injured.

“But it’s important to have your mind right as well.  If you’re not feeling great, it’s important to talk about it,” he added.

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His Kerins O’Rahillys team-mate also praised the school and said it was vital that they worked together to ensure good mental health.

“You’re at an age where there will be so many ups and downs, especially with social media which is something we didn’t have to deal with at your age,” said David.

“It’s important that ye look after each other. Don’t be the person pulling everyone else down. If you see someone feeling down, be a supportive influence,” he said.

David Moran and Tommy Walsh with teacher Tommy Lyons, and Holy Family sixth class pupils at the raising of the Amber Flag at the school on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean

Co-ordinator of the scheme, 6th class teacher Mr. Tommy Lyons, was  delighted with the achievement of gaining the Amber Flag for the school.

“We are very proud here in Holy Family, to raise our Amber Flag from Pieta House. It serves as a reminder of the work completed by our 6th class pupils and indeed the support and input from all pupils and staff members. It has been an outstanding initiative promoting positive mental health in our school,” said Mr. Lyons.

Some of the successful activities achieved as part of the Amber Flag in Holy Family National School include The Daily Mile, a worry box made available to children where they can express their worries anonymously, creating positive mental health awareness messages throughout the school and a mental health awareness art competition.

Not only has this project significantly improved mental health awareness in the school, it has also served as a fundraiser where the school raised €345 for Pieta House.

David Moran and Tommy Walsh raise the Amber Flag at Holy Family school on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean

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Entertainment, News, WHAT'S ON

Dancer In Residence Monica To Get Families Moving With Free Online Workshops

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Dancer In Residence Monica Munoz.

MONICA Muñoz is leading a dance residency in Kerry for the coming months, focussing on primary school children and families.

Monica is a dance artist originally from Barcelona, living in Ireland since 2014. She has performed extensively across the globe for over 20 years with many companies and as a freelance dancer.

She was a long-standing member of the Tanztheater Freiburg. In Ireland Mónica has collaborated frequently with CoisCéim Dance Theatre. She teaches contemporary dance in community and education settings and creates her own choreographic work with focus on young audiences.

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“I strive for a world where dance, play and explorative movement is central to the lives of children,” says Monica, explaining her focus of children for this residency. “I will engage with dance experiences for the young community in Kerry and develop my practice working for and with children, schools and families.”

Monica will run a series of free online workshops that engage with the community.

‘Shake A Leg’ consists of 12 online dance sessions for children aged 4 to 10. It will focus on building self-confidence, discovering expression, allowing children to immerse themselves in another world, feeling great, feeling their strength and simply letting go.

These free online sessions will run on Thursdays from the 4th of November to the 9th of December.

‘Family Time’ consists of four free online sessions of dance and movement for early years classes for parents and children aged 2 to 4, using props and materials that everyone has at home. This runs on Saturdays from November 20 to December 11.

‘Dance Divers’ will be a dance programme to connect with primary schools in January and February. Dance Divers will provide online and live dance experience.

Dance Divers is dance invasion in the school from 2nd class onwards: a school performance, discussion and dance workshop in one.

It has been specially developed to bring dance to schools in an accessible way and to stimulate an appetite for dance everywhere.

The one-hour program takes place at school. Dance Divers will connect as well with four online sessions specially designed for Junior and Senior classes.

Parents and schools who are interested in signing up for any of these classes should contact Monica at youngmoverskerry@gmail.com.

“Dance and movement are very important for the mental and physical health of our children – I have no doubt that Monica will be very busy over the next few months and I welcome her to Kerry and wish her a fruitful residency,” says Cllr. Jimmy Moloney, Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council.

“We are delighted to have Monica with us as dancer in residence – this is a great opportunity for children throughout the county to access free dance classes and learn about movement in a relaxed and fun-filled way,” says Kate Kennelly, Arts Officer with Kerry County Council.

The residency is funded by Kerry County Council and the Arts Council and supported by Creative Ireland Kerry.

News

Tralee LEA Has One Of The Highest COVID Incidence Rates In Ireland

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THERE were 263 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Tralee Local Electoral Area in the 14 day period up to Monday, October 11, according to figures available on the Government’s COVID-19 data hub.

This puts Tralee LEA in the top 10 highest incidence rates in the country, while Listowel LEA has the second highest rate in Ireland.

Tralee LEA has a 14-day incidence rate of 796.1 per 100,000 of the population, substantially above the national incidence of 394.2 per 100,000 as of last Monday, the seventh highest in Ireland.

It’s the second highest COVID case rate of the six LEAs in the county and another substantial rise on the figure for the fortnight up to October 4 (219).

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In all, there were 909 new cases recorded in Kerry during the fortnight period, up from the 634 cases recorded in the fortnight up to October 4.

The LEA with the  highest incidence in the county is Listowel which saw 289 new cases and a rate of 1007.9 per 100,000, up by 130 in the fortnight up to October 4.

Kenmare had 151 new cases, a rate of 602.5 per 100,000 and Castleisland saw 68 new cases and a rate of 396.6 per 100,000, both also above the national average.

Two LEAs are below the national average. The Killarney Electoral Area saw 107 new cases, a current 14-Day Incidence Rate of 361.4 per 100k of the population.

There were 31 cases in the Corca Dhuibhne Electoral Area, a rate of 218.6 per 100,000, exactly the same as the fortnight to October 4.

There have been 9,034 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kerry since the pandemic began.

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Business/Property, News

Castleisland Chamber Alliance Announces Town Marketing Plan

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At the announcement of the town marketing partnership of Castleisland Chamber Alliance and Bespoke Business Support Collective in Castleisland were: Emma Philips and Eimear McDonnell, Bespoke Business Support Collective with Castleisland Chamber Alliance members: Mark McElligott, Anne Marie McAuliffe, Michael J. Kearney, chamber chairman and Patricia Walsh. Photograph: John Reidy

CASTLEISLAND Chamber Alliance are promoting a new marketing and branding campaign, which they hope will bring a revitalised approach to local retail, businesses, tourism, and heritage stakeholders.

“We are delighted to share that we have appointed Bespoke Business Support Collective to lead and manage this new branding and marketing initiative for the town and will see us engaging in an active campaign towards the end of 2021, in time for Christmas and into 2022,” said Chairman, Michael J Kearney.

“The town is experiencing tremendous growth at present, and our members are committed to its continued success and will support this campaign in full,” Mr Kearney continued.

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“As we create a new brand for the town, reimagine the Castleisland website and commence an extensive social media campaign to promote the strengths and attractions of the town.”

Eimear Mc Donnell, Executive Partner, Bespoke Business Support Collective said; “this is a truly exciting project, Castleisland has a wonderful legacy of business, tourism and heritage and the stakeholders in the town are fully committed to creating a successful campaign to welcome new audiences to the town.”

Entertainment, News, WHAT'S ON

PHOTOS: Kerry International Film Festival Opens In Killarney

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Julie Jay, Eibh Collins, Declan McSteen, Grace O’Donnell, Philip Doyle and Ailbhe Keogan at the opening of the Festival. Photo Michael Kenny

THE official opening of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) took place last night at The Randles Hotel, Killarney.

Celebrating its 22nd edition, this year’s festival is taking place from October 14-17 and will present a blended film festival that promotes and showcases film and filmmaking talent across 15 in person physical events and 30 online screenings.

Speaking at the opening Eibh Collins, Festival Director said; “We are delighted to be able to bring KIFF back onto the big screen with Cinema Killarney as our main venue. We are also thrilled to be returning to Tralee for our closing night film, which will screen at Siamsa Tíre.

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“Running parallel to the in-person programme, we have a robust and exciting online programme streamed from the KIFF website to audiences’ devices-of-choice. KIFF endeavors to ensure that those who cannot travel, or those who are not yet ready for travel in the current phase of the pandemic, will still be able to enjoy the best of Kerry International Film Festival from the comfort of their own homes.”

KIFF’s opening night screening featured Death of a Ladies’ Man, starring Gabriel Byrne, and was showcased in Cinema Killarney.

The festival will close at Siamsa Tíre with the Irish Language feature Foscadh (Shelter), which recently won Best First Feature at the Galway Film Fleadh. Foscadh was also recently selected by the Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) as Ireland’s entry to the Oscars®’ Best International Feature Film category for the upcoming 94th annual Academy Awards.

For more on the festival schedule, tickets, pre-booking and festival passes check out www.kerryfilmfestival.com

Mieke Vanmechelan, Aine Moriarty, Grace O’Donnell, Julie Jay, Kate Kenneally and Ailbhe Keoghan at the Festival opening. Photo Michael Kenny 
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Mieke Vanmechelan and Jimmy White at the opening of the Festival. Photo Michael Kenny
Declan McSteen and Phillip Doyle at the opening. Photo Michael Kenny