.Marie Galvin and Padraig McGillicuddy of Ballygarry Estate with the IGTOA Large Golf Hotel of the Year award on Monday night.
BALLYGARRY Estate Hotel & Spa were awarded ‘Large Golf Hotel of the Year’ at the 2022 Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association (IGTOA) awards on Monday night.
The IGTOA is an organisation that represents the National Irish Golf Tourism Industry. The purpose of these awards is to celebrate and reward excellence within the industry.
This year, the awards were hosted in Mount Juliet Estate in Kilkenny and showcased a weekend full of workshops, networking sessions, golf seminars and more. The weekend came to a close in style with a black-tie gala dinner, during which the awards were presented.
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Padraig McGillicuddy, proprietor of Ballygarry Estate said; “To win an award such as the IGTOA Large Golf Hotel of the Year is truly an honour and something that we are very humbled by.
“It is a superb reflection of the hard work, dedication and the standards that we strive so hard to uphold here in Ballygarry. And of course, our location plays a key part in this as a number of the best links golf courses in Ireland are on our doorsteps,” he added.
SCÓR NA SINSEAR: Gach ádh ar Aoife Ní Choileáin who will represent The Rock in the Kerry County Final of Scór na Sinsear ar an Aoine seo (7ú). The event will take place inCurrow Community Hall, ag tosú ag 7.30pm.
The Munster final will take place in Cappamore on Sunday 16th October. (Aoife’s participation in Scór should inspire some of our younger members to prepare for Scór na nÓg and/or Scór na bPáistí….a song, a story, a dance, ballad group, quiz, srl.).
THE ALL-STARS: Lots and lots of fun was had once again by our All-Stars last Sunday morning in Connolly Park. More of the same excitement on Sunday next at 11am. For information….ring/text Sandra (087-294 6658) or Sarah (087-281 0239).
PEIL FAOI 7: See you all again, boys, on Sunday morning next. Expect information on upcoming matches. Our Thursday sessions have ended.
PEIL FAOI 9: (i) The Under 9s are still enjoying their Sunday morning football! Things are hotting up in The Bracker Regan Cup competition. The group stages have been completed and Team C have come out on top on 10 points, Team B in second place on 7 points, Team D in third position on 4 points and Team A in 4th place on three points.
The semi-final line-up for this coming Sunday is Team C v Team A and Team B v Team D. Boy! Mighty football will be played! The ‘Stars’ of the future will be on ‘display’!! (ii) Sorry, but our Thursday sessions have ended. (iii) The much-looked-forward-to trip to the St Finbarr Club in Togher, Cork, will take place on next Saturday WEEK….October 15th. Will it ever come! We’re rearing to go! Togher, here we come…prepare for a Rock attack!
PEIL FAOI 11: More enjoyable U11 football on Thursday. There are really great players in this group!
PEIL FAOI 13: (i) Our last training session of the year….this Thursday (6th). (ii) Everybody is ready for and excited about next Sunday’s trip (9th October) to Baile an Easpaig, Coraigh, to play a really tough challenge game v Bishopstown. This is a big outing for our lads and we’re all praying for good weather!
Expect text….details to be circulated during the week. (iii) We hope to give a big Rock welcome to the footballers of Carrigaline (Carraig Uí Leighin) on Saturday week, 15th October, and then give them a good game of Gaelic football!
(iv) Foireann Ómrach na Carraige (Central League Division 1B finalists): Seán Mac Cannáin, Ediart Topali, Oisín Mac Coitir, Diarmuid Ó hAonghasa, Conchúr Ó Murchú, Liam Ó Scuaird, Alex Dafoor, Karol Kowalczyk, Dáithí Ó hEathrín, Noah Ó Riada, Órán Ó Donnchú, Kyle Yoxall, Seán Ó Dúshláine, Nathan Ó Muirthile, Séamus Ó Cianáin, Nathan Ó Conchúir, Lúcás Ó Conchúir, Marcas Ó Foghlú, Conchúr Ó hAinifín, Ewan Ó Cáinte, Maitiú Ó Géaráin, Cillian Ó Cofaigh, Albi Gaxha, Tadhg Ó Somacháin, Seán Breathnach, Seosamh Ó hAllmharáin, Alex Ó Flaithearta, Jayden Ó Dubhda, Gearóid Corcaráin, Eliot Calleja.
PEIL FAOI 14: (i) Our U14s played in Caherslee on Monday evening in a County Board blitz that was organised by Coiste na nÓg. Our lads played really well and had good wins against Cordal and Ballymac but, unfortunately, lost out to the eventual winners, the John Mitchel Club boys.
(ii) On Sunday afternoon Our U14 squad hosted Glanmire U14s and they had a good challenge match. Although missing a few regulars….we called up some stalwarts from the U13s….our boys put up a very competitive performance against our neighbours from Cork. Great fun was had by all involved.
(iii) We are still waiting on date, time and venue for our Town League semi-final against Churchill. A great competitive game is expected.
PEIL FAOI 17: Seaimpíní mionúir na Ríochta 2022: Mícheál Ó Teanslaí; Seán Ó Muimhneacháin, Luke Ó Cathasaigh (captaen), Séamus Ó Bradáin; Pádraig Ó hAllmharáin, Ben Ó Murchú, Seán Heaslip; Rian Ó Drisceoil, Colm de Brún; Noah Townsend, Dónal Ó Ciarba, Tomás Deregee; Rónán Ó Cearúil, Paidí Ó Laighin, Damien Ó hÓgáin; Jack Ó Murchú, Donncha Ó hArgáin, Dáithí Ó Luasaigh, Aaron Ó Nualláin, Dylan Ó Cuinneagáin, Gavin Ó Cathasaigh.
COLÁISTÍ: Good wishes to all Rock lads who’ll be playing in upcoming college matches. Corn Uí Shúilleabháin (Ciarraí): Mercy Mounthawk: 4-16; Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne: 3-8. ‘Well done’ to The Rock boys on the successful Mounthawk panel.
Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí (D.Ó Loingsigh): Táimíd fillte ar ais! Gaelcholáiste are returning to action after a scorching summer and have a packed sporting calendar in store! Challenge matches are already underway and, although our imreoirí caide sinseareacha agus Faoi 15 were disappointed with their early encounters, is séasúr fada go maith é and dozens more matches await! Our U16½ panel are preparing well….we ask readers to keep a súil amach for further reports as the season rolls on!
CLUB LOTTO: Thanks to all who support and promote our club lotto: (i) Kirbys’ Brogue Inn, Lower Rock Street, (ii) Husseys’ Deli, Prince’s Quay, (iii) Carmel O’Neill, (iv) Maguires’ Butcher Shop, Caherslee, (v) Barrys’ Supermarket, Upper Rock Street, (vi) PaudieCommane’s Bookshop, Rock Street, (vii) The Burger Shack, Monavalley, (viii) O’Flynn Interiors (Malachy Nagle), Lower Rock Street, (ix) www.austinstacks.ie (x) and/or onhttps://play.clubforce.com/play_newa.asp?ll_id=X529#Anchor
AN SIOPA: Items are available to order on www.oneills.ie. Check out the Ganzee Club Clothing Collection on www.ganzee.ie/austin-stacks-gaa-clubs/
SENIORS: Best wishes to our seniors v Feale Rangers.
We are looking forward to attending the 2022 Swim Ireland Awards in Dublin this weekend, having been shortlisted as one of the 4 finalists for the Club of the Year. This is a huge honour to be recognised at national level and is a testament to all involved with
The club during the last 40 years ,who have all contributed to its success.
Munster Aspiring Champions Gala
We are eagerly awaiting our first gala of the season this weekend in UL ;
The Munster Aspiring Champions Gala is a 2 day event for swimmers 13+ and provides a great opportunity for our swimmers to compete having returned to training in September.
KSC will be represented by a number of our swimmers across all our squads.
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40th Year Anniversary
As the club celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, we enjoy sharing with our club members and local communities ,memories of the club down through the years.
We would love to receive any photos and memorabilia of the club down through the years and share with you all; Please email to kingdomswimmingclubpro@gmail.com
In the meantime, follow us on facebook and Instagram @kingdomswimmingclub for all our trips down memory lane!
Jack Grace
We were delighted to welcome back former swimmer Jack Grace to the club last Friday to meet our current senior squad. Jack enjoyed great success with KSC during his years with the club ,
Representing the club at provincial & national level and subsequently chosen to train with the Swim Ireland High Performance Squad, National Centre Linerick on his first year of University. Jack continues to be a great ambassador for our club and we wish him continued success…
Results: Sun 2nd Terry’s Butcher and Wed 28th Play in Pink- Expose
Sunday 2nd Oct: 18 holes Stableford- sponsored by Terry’s Butchers
1st Emma Leahy 41pts (08)
2nd Emma Vinarcik 39pts (17)
Best Gross Kaelin O’Keeffe 27pts
3rd Sophie Moynihan 39pts (27)
Wed 28th Sept: ‘PLAY IN PINK’ sponsored by Expose
1st Joan Cantillon & Antoinette Sayers 38pts (31)
2nd Kathleen Finnegan & Maura Shanahan 37pts (19)
3rd Kay Fitzgerald & Anne Moran 35pts (30)
Best Dressed Pink Lady: Carol Dooley
Lady President Mag’s Prize to the Ladies on Sun 9th Oct
Dinner reservations Par3, 10th Oct
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Lahinch Exchange day Monday 17th -times 11:00-12:30pm
Timesheet opening Monday 3rd Oct at 8pm
Book a TIME: Par3, 17th Oct.
Book the BUS €30: Par3, 18th Oct
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Fixtures:
Wed 5th Oct – Club singles –sponsored by Ross Jewellers
Sun 9th Oct – MC10 Lady President Mag’s Prize to the Ladies 18 holes STROKE
– Reserve dinner on the Par3 10th oct
Sun 9th – 9-hole Lady President Mag’s prize-Stableford
Wed 12th -Club singles 18 holes Stableford
Sat 15th Golfer of the Year Final, Billy Nolan
Sun 16th – Singles sponsored by Kerry Petroleum
Mon 17th -Lady Exchange Day to Lahinch
Wed 19th – No ladies golf
Sun 23rd – Der O’Sullivan’s Hamper
Wed 26th – Ladies AmAm
Sun 30th – Casey Stephenson Accountants -Hamper
Mon 31st – Semi Open AmAm -Pax House Dingle
Sunday 2nd October MC 14 sponsored by An Riocht Marble and Granite
1 Richard Rafferty 45 pts (12)
2 Stephen Barter 40 pts (17)
3 Patrick Stack (2) 40 pts (07)
4 Joe Rogers 40 pts (16)
5 Gerard Hussey 40 pts (11)
Front 9 – Maurice M O’Connor 22pts
Back 9 – Gerard O’Sullivan 21pts
Fixtures:
Saturday 8th October – Club Finals Day (apart from Commemoration Cup)
Sunday October 9th – Ladies President’s Prize – no Men’s golf (amendment to Club Diary and previous fixtures email)
Sunday 16th October – Gents Golfer of the Year Final – Sponsored by the Kerryman
Sunday 16th October – Club Singles
A handful of Tralee Boxing Club’s 2022-2023 competitive boxing squad were given a great welcome at Trojan Boxing Club in Listowel last Monday night for a friendly sparring session.
The TBC lads, who are used to a larger ring size, got a good lesson in close quarter boxing from their opponents and certainly came away with a new appreciation for keeping their hands up, and the importance of good defence.
Well done to all the lads who stepped into the ring on the night, some tough but important lessons learned and great sportsmanship displayed by all.
It is always a pleasure to visit a hardworking gym with game boxers and TBC are sincerely grateful to Graham, Niamh and all the crew at Trojan for inviting us over. We look forward to having Trojan BC back in our own gym in the very near future.
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Tralee Boxing Club has finally come to the end of a summer long project aimed at integrating migrants into our club and community through the sport of boxing.
The project, Building Friendship and Strength, One Punch at a Time, supported by the Communities Integration Fund and the DCEDIY, ran throughout the summer and introduced approximately 40 new boxers and 10 volunteers from the Ukrainian migrant community into our club and to the benefits of boxing.
We are wholeheartedly thankful to all the coaches, volunteers and participants in the project as it has been a wonderful experience for the whole club.
We have learned some of the fantastic footwork Ukrainian boxers are famous for from coaches Artem and Eduard, we have enjoyed the diversity and vitality that the boxers have brought to the club with their positive, upbeat attitude and we have come to really understand the value of a smile when words just won’t work.
We hope that being part of our club can in some small way, help our new friends to deal with the massive upheaval they have been subjected to by the war and to enjoy the multitude of positive effects of participating in sporting activities. We are proud to welcome all our new members into the boxing family here at Tralee Boxing Club.
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Finally, unbeknownst to himself, boxer and TBC club member, Oisín Foley was nominated by the club this summer, for the Garda National Youth Individual Achievement Award.
The award recognises young people for the positive contribution they make to our community, and having seen Oisín in action here at the club over the past few years we felt there was no doubt that he would be the ideal candidate.
Oisin has been a tireless cheerleader amongst the teen boxers here in the club, always seeking to motivate and inspire his peers to achieve their best.
Coaches and committee members pointed out that “although he has struggled with his own issues, I’ve seen him contact other young boxers when they were having a bad day or feeling down.”
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In addition to helping his fellow boxers Oisin has always been at the forefront of TBC’s initiatives for introducing boxing to other members of our community such as children with disabilities and isolated migrant groups.
One coach noted that “ for every event that was organised, he was the first to put his hand up and volunteer his time…which is remarkable for a teenage boy.”
We were delighted to hear, earlier this month, that the awarding body agreed and Oisín was formally presented with the GNY Individual Achievement Award last Friday night at the official awards ceremony in Ballyroe Hotel.
Coaches and committee members of the club traded in their tracksuits for the night and proudly attended the formal event to support and officially acknowledge Oisín for his patience, kindness and service to others in the community. Well done Oisín, your indomitable spirit for helping others is a credit to this club.
.Mayor of Tralee Mikey Sheehy makes a presentation to co-founder of the Tralee Soup Kitchen, Collette Price to mark the 10th anniversary of the service. Also included are back are volunteers John Leahy, Mary Dolan, Kerry O’Connell and Rev Jim Stephens. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE Mayor of Tralee visited Teach an tSolais on Saturday to mark the 10th anniversary of Tralee Soup Kitchen.
Cllr Mikey Sheehy made a presentation of a plaque in recognition of the service which was founded in October 2012 by Collette Price and Dawn Roberts.
They started off serving soup and sandwiches to people who needed a bit of help at the Teach an tSolais building — adjacent to St John’s Church on Ashe Street — and it has grown from there.
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“People were slow to come at the start,” explained Collette. “We said we’d only ever do soup and sandwiches for people who would collect the food and leave, but we found that they wanted to sit down and eat. So we started doing dinners before Christmas 2012 and it’s gone on from there.”
Now everyone who attends the weekly dinner on Saturday, between 12 noon and 2pm, receives a three course meal and is given a small bag of essentials with tea, coffee and some non-perishable food to take home.
Sadly, there is still a need for the service and numbers have been increasing of late.
“We’ve seen a rise in people coming. In fact, our numbers now are higher at this time of the year, than they have been at the same time in any previous year,” she said.
The demographic at the start used to be single males in their 50s and 60s, but that’s changed over the years.
“It’s all ages now. We have young people in their 20s, students come in too. Many people come in for a chat so there’s a social aspect to it,” said Collette.
While Collette and Dawn (who has since emigrated) started it off, they’ve been helped over the years by a team of volunteers who cook the dinners each Saturday.
“The volunteers are worth their weight in gold! We have a bank of volunteers, so if someone can’t make it, someone else can fill in. They’re an amazing group of people to give up their time.”
Collette said local suppliers have been great supporters of the Soup Kitchen, giving produce for free or at a heavily discounted price.
“We get our meat from Terry’s Butchers which is cooked for us every Saturday and he gives us a really good deal, Terry is great to us. Fenit Fruit and Veg give us potatoes for free. A lady comes in with homemade desserts for us every Saturday and another lady makes the soup for us. People also just drop in things and say ‘are these any good to you’,” said Collette, who also thanked the Church of Ireland for the use of the building.
After 10 years of working in the Soup Kitchen and seeing a different side of life, Collette says she feels more and more grateful for what she has.
“Everybody says ‘oh I wish I had this or that’, but when you see the situation some people are in, you realise you’re quite lucky. We try to provide something to make life a bit easier for someone for two hours on a Saturday.”
If you want to help out in any way, Collette said they will accept any dry, non-perishable goods, while they encourage donations in the form of supermarket vouchers rather than cash. For more on the Tralee Soup Kitchen, check out their Facebook page here.
AN Ardfert woman will feature on a BBC show this Wednesday evening where she will compete for a dream interior design job against two other contestants.
Ailbhe Courtney, who is currently living and working in London, will appear on BBC Three’s ‘Hire Me’ show which airs at 8pm.
The former Presentation Tralee student, who studied Voice and Dance in UL and did a Diploma in Television Production in WIT, told us how she got involved in the show.
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“I have been in London for a year and a half now. Prior to coming to London I worked in film and television production on shows such as Smother (RTÉ), Ros na Rún (TG4) and Ireland’s Got Talent (Virgin Media). When I came to London it was during lockdown and production work was still slow, so I took a job as a nanny,” she said.
“I had been telling a friend in London that I was planning to start an interior design course and the next day she sent me a casting video for a show called ‘Hire Me’. I sent in an application and of course, I didn’t think anything more of it. I was cast in the show last December and we filmed it over a week in January.”
Ailbhe Courtney with one of her artworks.
“It was a really enjoyable experience, although I think because of my background in TV it didn’t feel all that new or overwhelming. At the time I was starting to get my art website up and running and thought no matter what happened it would be a good platform to be able to promote my art.
“In each episode three contestants compete to win their dream job. My episode was for commercial interior design. You could not have any previous experience in the area. I had been planning to start an interior design course in London when this opportunity came up so it was perfect timing,” she explained.
You’ll have to tune in to BBC Three on Wednesday at 8pm to see if she got the job. In the meantime you can check out Ailbhe’s website www.ailbhecourtneyart.com which has all her artwork on it.
TWO Tralee swimmers will be inducted into the Ireland Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Class of 2022 next month.
Elaine Burrows Dillane will receive the honour for her achievements in marathon swimming and giving back to the sport, while Kevin Williams will be rewarded for his long term dedication to and promotion of the sport and success in coaching swimmers to their target marathon swims.
This induction will take place at the ILDSA (Irish Long Distance Swimming Association) at their awards ceremony on Saturday, November 19 in Mullingar.
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Elaine Burrows Dillane was the second female and sixth swimmer overall to complete the Original Triple Crown: North Channel 34.5 km (2021), English Channel 33 km (2019) and Bristol Channel 27km (2022).
She was the first female swimmer and second swimmer to complete the Irish Triple Crown: North Channel, Fastnet to Baltimore 19.1 km (2020) and Galway Bay 10 km (2021).
She is also only the second female swimmer from Ireland complete both the North and English Channels – and with the fastest times (as of 9-2022): 14 hours 54 minutes and 30 seconds and 12 hours 45 minutes.
Her other marathons include: Blennerville to Maharees 20 km (2018), Fenit to Blennerville Return 16 km (2017), around Ringarogy Island 10 km (2019) and Fenit to Derrymore Return 10 km (2019)
Elaine has also raised €21,000 for Brain Tumour Ireland through her English Channel Swim and crewed for Gerard McDonnell’s 20 km Muckalugh Swim and David Conradie’s Fastnet Swim.
Kevin Williams has dedicated over 15 years to the advancement of swimming in Tralee and since 2011 led open water swimming.
Kevin helped organise ‘Across the Tralee Bay Challenge 5km’ in 2007 and reinstated it in 2013 which has been completed by more than 350 swimmers.
In 2009, he reintroduced ‘Blennerville to Fenit 8km’ – completed by more than 250 swimmers. He also started ‘The Tralee Bay Winter Swimming and Turkey Series’ in 2013.
Kevin organised the first local marathon in 2009, ‘Maharees to Fenit 12km’ – completed by more than 40 swimmers.
Up to September 2022, 13 swimmers have completed 18 ratified marathon swims under his guidance in Tralee Bay.
He has been coach to Elaine’s Irish and Original Triple Crowns and has crewed on many channel crossings. Kevin is an accomplished marathoner himself with the Blennerville to Maharees 20km and Fenit to Blennerville return 16km.
.A happy Tadgh Fleming with fiancée Alannah Bradley at the finish line at Quest Killarney 2022.
FRESH from his RTE Hell Week experience, Tadhg Fleming was one of the many participants in the Quest Killarney event on Saturday.
Adventure race enthusiasts from around the country gathered in the town for the much anticipated return of the race last held in 2019. This year’s event attracted over 2,500 participants who signed up to run, cycle and kayak their way around some of the most iconic scenery in the country.
Gap of Dunloe, Ladies View, Mangerton Mountain and Torc Waterfall were just some of the stunning locations along five routes of varying distances: 25km, 55km, 66km (run and cycle only), 75km, and 83km.
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Ballymac man Tadgh Fleming who completed the 55k Sport Route said that Quest Killarney was, “Nothing like Hell Week, a bit harder I think! But really enjoyed it, I’d highly recommend it, going for the Pro next time!”
Participants ready to start Quest Killarney 2022.
Incorporating Quest Killarney on her transformative weight loss journey was an elated Patricia Lewis (Trisha Transformations) who completed the 27km Challenge route, and had this to say as she crossed the finish line: “Anyone who’s thinking about doing it, don’t even hesitate, register now!”
Competitors were treated to hot food and music at the finish line, with prize-giving at The Gleneagle Hotel, sponsors of the event.
All smiles from a participant at Quest Killarney 2022.
.Minister Simon Harris TD, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science visited Kerry College of Further Education and Training (FET) Campus in Monavalley, Tralee with from left, Maria Brennan, Colm McEvoy, Cllr Jim Finucane, Cllr Deidre Ferris, Jonnie Wall, Cllr. Terry O’Brien, Cllr. Norma Moriarty, Minister Simon Harris, Minister Norma Foley, Mayor of Tralee Cllr Mikey Sheehy, Brendan Griffin TD, Owen O’Donnell, Con O’Sullivan, Betty Corkey. Photo: Don MacMonagle
MINISTER Simon Harris TD, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science visited Kerry College of Further Education and Training (FET) Campuses, in Monavalley Tralee and Listowel on Monday and announced a very significant investment of funding under the FET Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund for the College.
Monday’s announcement of over €8.6m for these two projects is part of the first tranche of capital investments under this fund, with 13 projects being funded nationally.
The investment will see a new apprenticeship training building established at the site of the Kerry College Monavalley Campus and will facilitate the expansion of carpentry, joinery, electrical and pre-apprenticeship courses as well as providing additional car parking spaces on site.
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In Listowel, funding will oversee the upgrade and extension of a building purchased by KETB last year at Listowel Business Development Centre, enabling the relocation of FET provision from the post-primary school.
Kerry College of Further Education and Training was established in September 2019 when Kerry ETB integrated the former training centre and post-leaving certificate college into a single college structure.
This investment will provide new modern facilities for FET staff and learners in both Tralee and Listowel that have traditionally been provided from a building in Listowel shared with Coláiste Na Ríochta post-primary school and rented premises in Tralee.
In making this announcement Minister Harris stated; “Today is an important day in my department’s commitment to supporting and enhancing capital infrastructure in the further education and training sector across the country and in particular here in Kerry.
Minister Simon Harris TD, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science visited Kerry College of Further Education and Training (FET) Campus, in Monavalley, Tralee on Monday with from left, Owen O’Donnell, Andrew Brownlee, Ioseph Nesto, John Herlihy, Kasia Lyko, Cllr Mike Sheehy, Con O’Sullivan, Minister Simon Harris, Cllr Jim Finucane, Minister Norma Foley, Elaine Sharp, Tom O’Reilly, Colm McEvoy, George Emerson. Photo: Don MacMonagle.
“Both of Kerry ETB’s proposed projects under the SIUF are included in the 1st phase of projects to be advanced under the initiative. This is a testimony to Kerry ETB’s strategic vision and commitment to advancing the development of the FET College of the future concept.”
In welcoming this announcement today an Cathaoirleach of Kerry ETB, Cllr. Jim Finucane thanked Minister Harris for visiting Tralee and Listowel to make the announcements.
“This funding is very significant and supports Kerry ETB in its vision of ensuring that the learners of Kerry have access to further education and training opportunities locally. In our ETB Strategy Statement 2018-2022 we emphasised the need to enhance the working and learning environment for staff and learners and this investment announcement is another milestone in working towards achieving this objective,” stated Cllr. Finucane.
Minister Simon Harris TD, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation at Kerry College Listowel with from left, Miriam Galvin, Cllr Maria O’Gorman, Senator Ned O’Sullivan, Cllr Jim Finucane, Minister Simon Harris, Minister Norma Foley, Stephen Goulding, Owen O’Donnell, Mayor of Listowel Aoife Thornton, Colm McEvoy. Photo: Don MacMonagle
Owen O’Donnell, Director of Further Education and Training, added; “I am delighted with the investment for the acquisition and development of our Kerry College Campus in Tralee and Listowel. This investment will provide modern cutting edge facilities for our learners and apprentices in Tralee and Listowel.
“These new facilities will form part of the fully integrated Kerry College FET Campus infrastructure and will assist the growth of education and training in Tralee and the North Kerry area. Many future learners and apprentices from across the country will benefit from these new facilities as will the local and regional economy”.
The Investment announced for the Listowel Campus will provide funding for the refurbishment and expansion of the Building at Clieveragh Business Park, Listowel purchased by the ETB in 2021.
The Principal at Kerry College Listowel Campus Stephen Goulding in welcoming this investment said; “This is a historic day for the staff and learners in the Kerry College Listowel Campus. The expansion of our new campus is an exciting and strategic development for further education and training in the local area. Providing a comprehensive suite of full and part-time programmes to support the development of FET options and pathways from local schools, and upskilling options for all, so the needs of all learners are met.”
Minister Simon Harris TD, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation at Kerry College Listowel with from left, back row; Noel Keenan, Maria Brennan, Colm McEvoy, Cllr Mikey Kennelly, Cllr Michael Foley, Brendan Griffin TD, Owen O’Donnell, Andrew Brownlee, Stephen Goulding. Front row L/r Cllr Maria O’Gorman, Mayor of Listowel Cllr Aoife Thronton, Minister Simon Harris, Minister Norma Foley, Cllr Jim Finucane, Jimmy Deenihan.
Campus Manager Con O’Sullivan stated; “Kerry College Monavalley Campus has a long and established tradition of delivering apprenticeship training in Kerry. Today’s announcement by the Minister will further enhance our training capacity and increase the campus profile from a national context. We view this investment announcement today as a vote of confidence in the work we do at Kerry College and we look forward to the completion of these works as we plan for continued development of this Campus”
.Munster Technological University (MTU) launched it’s first strategic plan “Our Shared Vision” on Monday. Pictured at the launch at MTU Kerry campus were Minister Simon Harris TD, Professor Maggie Cusack, President, MTU and Jimmy Deenihan, Chair of MTU Governing Body. Photo: Pauline Dennigan
MINISTER for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, Simon Harris, visited Munster Technological University in Tralee on Monday for the launch of ‘Our Shared Vision’.
“The launch of MTU’s first strategic plan, ‘Our Shared Vision’, is an historic milestone for our staff and students, as we build on past successes and work together to become a truly great, internationally competitive technological university,” says Professor Maggie Cusack, President of MTU.
‘Our Shared Vision’ places an emphasis on delivering outstanding learner education and experience to produce work-ready graduates; increasing investment in MTU’s staff and the communities within which MTU is embedded; achieving significant growth and impact across MTU’s research, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem; leading regional development and adopting a global outlook across all of MTU’s activities.
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To achieve these strategic outcomes, MTU has identified key strategic enablers which will ensure the ongoing success of the University.
These are the proactive pursuit of equality, diversity and inclusion principles across all of MTU’s activities; continuous focus on sustainability and alignment with UN sustainable development goals; collective commitment to a multi-campus technological university; investment in enhanced digital infrastructure and capabilities; and development of state-of-the art physical infrastructure and capabilities across MTU’s campuses.
Speaking at the event, Minister Harris said: “At a time when the world is facing major challenges in areas such as climate change and geopolitical instability, the importance of higher education has never been greater.
Pictured at MTU Kerry campus on Monday were Ukrainian students, Kirol Ivanov and Illia Sukhovirskyi with Minister Simon Harris TD. Photo: Pauline Dennigan
“We will need to maximise our ability to produce talented and responsible graduates who can lead, innovate, create, inspire and transform. We will need these graduates in every village, town, city and region in Ireland if we are to achieve the ground-up community engagement required to succeed in a sustainable manner.
“The development of MTU will prove to be transformative for the South West Region. We now have the vision for the next five years. With the support of my Department and additional investment, MTU can be a TU with a global reach.”
According to Professor Cusack, the development of MTU has been an unqualified success to date. Since its establishment, demand from CAO applicants for MTU’s courses has been very strong.
In addition, MTU’s total research expenditure continues to feature at the upper end of the scale across Ireland’s Technological Universities.
Professor Cusack said; “MTU will continue to play a leadership role in the strategic development of the South West Region, and, in so doing, will adopt a global outlook and inclusive value system. MTU will anchor the development of the South West Region, while participating fully on both the national and international stages. We will play a central and strategic role in ensuring that there are fantastic opportunities for all to achieve their full potential in education, in life and in their careers.”
.Fexco awarded Ireland’s Best Managed Companies accolade at the 14th annual awards programme, led by Deloitte. Pictured were Anna Savage, Chief Financial Officer, Fexco and Anya Cummins, Partner, Deloitte. Picture: Jason Clarke
THREE Kerry companies have been awarded Ireland’s Best Managed Companies accolade at the 14th annual awards programme, led by Deloitte in association with Bank of Ireland.
Fexco achieved platinum standard having won for the seventh consecutive year, while the Garvey Group and the Ard Rí Group in Tralee were both requalifying winners.
This year, Deloitte recognised 136 indigenous companies at the awards representing 25 of the 32 counties across Ireland.
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This is the first year where the awards programme returned as an in-person event following the pandemic and culminated with a gala awards ceremony at The Convention Centre Dublin.
The companies received recognition following a detailed judging process that evaluates the entire management team and business strategy in some of Ireland’s top privately owned businesses, looking beyond financial performance at areas such as a company’s environmental, social & governance standards, strategic planning and talent strategy.
THERE were 95 new car sales in Kerry last month according to the latest statistics from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
