Daily Archives: November 18, 2022

News, SCHOOLS

PHOTOS: Tralee Schools Teams Compete In Kerry ISTA Science Quiz

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CBS The Green students Joel Sunil Varghese, Tomás O’Connor and Paddy Falvey at the ISTA Senior Science Quiz at the MTU South Campus on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

IT was a successful and busy night at the annual Kerry ISTA Senior Science Quiz at the MTU South Campus with the event returning after three year absence due to Covid-19.

Regional Science quizzes took place in 13 venues around Ireland on Thursday night, with the Kerry quiz organised by Maria Steinborn and Áine Knightly (ISTA Kerry committee).

Eleven Kerry schools were represented on the night with with 21 teams of three competing for a place in the National Final. Students were all from the current Leaving Certificate year and the quizmaster on the night was Maria Steinborn.

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The Quiz consisted of eight rounds of six questions drawn from Leaving Certificate syllabi in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and general scientific knowledge and current news.

The winning team, Intermediate School Killorglin students Nicholas Bradburn, Ivan Huggard and Jeremiah Landers at the ISTA Senior Science Quiz at the MTU South Campus on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

It was a close contested competition with clear winners Intermediate School Killorglin (Ivan Huggard, Jermiah Landers, Nicholas Bradburn) coming out in first position accepting the Kerry Group perpetual trophy, with a point between St Brendan’s College Killarney (Benjamin Gaughran, Ethan Howe & Brian Titus) in second place and Mercy Mounthawk (Paula Holmes, Coren Hughes, Aideen Lynch) in third position.

Mercy Mounthawk students Paula Holmes, Coren Hughes and Aideen Lynch who came third at the ISTA Senior Science Quiz at the MTU South Campus on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Other schools present on the night included CBS The Green Tralee, St Brigid’s Presentation Killarney, Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí, Trá Lí, Presentation Tralee, Meán Scoil an Leith-Triúigh and St Joseph’s Ballybunion.

The top three teams from the Kerry Quiz will go on to represent the county in the National Final which will be held on  December 3, at 2pm in Tercentenary Hall, Trinity Biomedical Science Institute, Dublin.

The competition would not have been possible without the most generous support of Kerry Group who have been long loyal standing sponsors of this annual quiz. Scroll down for photos…

Mercy Mounthawk students Aoife Kerins, Yuki Weng and Choitee Chakraborty at the ISTA Senior Science Quiz at the MTU South Campus on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Presentation Tralee students Shauna Moriarty, Wiktoria Depta and Scarlett Bright at the ISTA Senior Science Quiz at the MTU South Campus on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Mercy Mounthawk students Rhea Lukose, Daniel Oyewante and Fiachra O’Connor at the ISTA Senior Science Quiz at the MTU South Campus on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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CBS The Green students Jack O’Donoghue, Sanjo Varghese and Cillian Lynch at the ISTA Senior Science Quiz at the MTU South Campus on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Presentation Tralee students Zoe Ncube, Jing Wen Lin and Ellie O’Hanlon at the ISTA Senior Science Quiz at the MTU South Campus on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Presentation Tralee students Alice O’Connell, Miriam Goubran and Cara Grealish at the ISTA Senior Science Quiz at the MTU South Campus on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
St Brigid’s Killarney students Abbie Daly, Molly Jenkinson and Kayla Byrne at the ISTA Senior Science Quiz at the MTU South Campus on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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St Brigid’s Killarney students Orna Driver, Ally Casey and Ilona Sheehan at the ISTA Senior Science Quiz at the MTU South Campus on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
St Joseph’s Ballybunion students Jack Sheehy, Ally O’Brien and Mai Whelan at the ISTA Senior Science Quiz at the MTU South Campus on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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St Brendan’s Killarney students Philip Lyons, Conor Gammell and Callum O’Leary at the ISTA Senior Science Quiz at the MTU South Campus on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
St Joseph’s Ballybunion students Cian Sheehy, Kelly Walsh and Ava Moloney at the ISTA Senior Science Quiz at the MTU South Campus on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Meán Scoil Nua an Léigh Triúigh Castlegregory students Colm Rohan, Saoirse Harrington and Emma Lynch at the ISTA Senior Science Quiz at the MTU South Campus on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí students Jared Ó Briain, Grainne Ní Sheanacháin and Kiana Breathnach at the ISTA Senior Science Quiz at the MTU South Campus on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Business/Property, News, Sport

Bon Secours Hospital Tralee To Be New Health Partner To Kerry GAA

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Pictured at the announcement of the Bon Secours new health partner of Kerry GAA were Rosalie Stack, Physiotherapy Manager, Bon Secours Hospital , Patrick O’Sullivan, Chairman of Kerry GAA and TJ O’Connor, CEO of Bon Secours Hospital. Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD

BON Secours Hospital Tralee (BSHT) will be the new health partner to Kerry GAA following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

Under this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Kerry GAA and BSHT will collaborate across a range of mutually beneficial areas. This collaboration will include players having access to Physiotherapy Services, certain diagnostic testing, DEXA scans and other diagnostics as required.

The collaboration will also include BSHT basing their Physiotherapy Out-Patient Service in the Currans Centre of Excellence along with other office based staff.

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The document was signed on behalf of the Bon Secours Hospital Tralee by Mr TJ O’Connor, CEO and on behalf of the KGAA by Kerry GAA Chairman, Mr Patrick O’Sullivan.

The partnership has been agreed initially until 2027 and both the hospital and the KGAA are keen to see this partnership develop into a longer-term relationship.

Mr TJ O’Connor, CEO of Bon Secours Hospital Tralee, welcomed the agreement and said: “Bon Secours Tralee is very happy to sign this MOU with Kerry GAA. When Liam Lynch first approached us with his vision for this partnership arrangement, we immediately embraced the concept and are delighted to bring it to fruition. We look forward to sharing our state of the art facilities and people with our elite GAA athletes over the coming years for the ultimate benefit of our GAA teams in Kerry”.

Mr Patrick O’Sullivan, Chairman of Kerry GAA said that the new agreement will be of great benefit to KGAA saying “having access to the facilities, services and people in the Bon Secours Hospital Tralee for our elite GAA teams is an imperative in the modern game.

“Quick access to diagnostic testing and scanning plays a critical role in facilitating early diagnosis, rehabilitation and return to play. Having this speedy access to these services and the range of specialist at the Bon Secours Hospital Tralee will ensure that our players receive the best possible care and are back on the pitch as soon as possible. This is hugely important to us and we look forward to developing and expanding our partnership with BSHT over the coming years”.

Ms Rosalie Stack, Physiotherapy Manager, Bon Secours Hospital Tralee said “this is a really exciting opportunity for the Physiotherapy Department in BSHT. We look forward to recruiting some additional staff and working collaboratively with KGAA in the months and years ahead”.

Mr Liam Lynch, Vice Chairman, Kerry GAA said; “this partnership arrangement with BSHT is the first of its kind for a County Board in Ireland. We are excited and delighted that we have been able to make this innovative proposal a reality”.

News

Nearly €35,000 Presented To Local Charities After Tom Crean Dingle Peninsula Challenge

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Enda O’Brien accepts a cheque for €20,750 from (seated) Patrick O’Sullivan, Daniel Bohane and Kieran O’Callaghan of Tom Crean Dingle Peninsula Challenge. Also included, back; John Fox, Jonathan Foley, Michael Cassidy, Gary Collins, Larry Kelly, Andy Conway. Photo by Dermot Crean

THIS year’s Tom Crean 24 Hour Adventure has raised tens of thousands for two local charities.

On Friday, September 9, ten brave Kerry men set out on the epic Tom Crean 24hour adventure challenge from Blennerville around the Dingle Peninsula.

Charities close to their hearts led these men to complete a gruelling challenge around West Kerry that saw them complete a 30km walk, a 15km kayak, a 10km run, a 40km cycle, climbing Mount Brandon, swimming the Pater Noster lakes, and another cycle of 20km along the Conor Pass leading them to their finish line in Dingle town.

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Within a short time frame of three months the group have raised €20,750 for Down Syndrome Kerry and €13,800 for Kerry Hospice Foundation, which was presented to the charities at The Rose Hotel on Thursday night.

Andrea O’Donoghue accepts a cheque for €13,800 from (seated) Patrick O’Sullivan, Kieran O’Callaghan and Daniel Bohane of Tom Crean Dingle Peninsula Challenge. Also included, back from left; Maura Sullivan of Kerry Hospice, Gary Collins, Mary Shanahan of Kerry Hospice, Jonathan Foley, Michael Cassidy, Larry Kelly, Andy Conway and John Fox. Photo by Dermot Crean

All monies raised in this challenge were donated to DSK and Kerry Hospice, with participants absorbing the costs of the event themselves.

The brainchild of Kieran O’Callaghan, the challenge has evolved from humble meaningful beginnings into a community event that has saved and contributed to the improvement of many lives around Kerry.

Kieran embarked on the challenge as a solo event in memory of his wife Fiona who sadly passed away from cancer in 2011 and has ensured that her legacy will be remembered for many years to come, having raised over €100,000 in just five years.

Their hope for 2023 is to grow this community event with an ambitious fundraising goal of €100k.

If you think you are up to the challenge or can support as a corporate sponsor please get in touch with Kieran, Patrick or Daniel at: kocalfi@gmail.com daniel@dbwealth.ie and osullivanpjb@gmail.com

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News

Local Authority Housing Development At Matt Talbot Road/Island Of Geese Approved

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How the new development will look from the pedestrianised street in the Island of Geese site.

TRALEE Municipal District councillors have unanimously approved plans for the construction of 27 local authority units to be build at Matt Talbot Road/Island Of Geese.

The development will consist of the construction of 22 one-bedroom units and 5 two-bedroom units. The existing shed and boundary walls on the site will be demolished and there will also  be a new landscaped plaza area with the resurfacing of Rackett Lane with ancillary site works.

Now that the development has been approved, the Council will now tender for an external consultant design team and the detailed design process will commence.

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Construction on site is expected to start in March 2024 with completion of the development projected for October of 2025.

There were two submissions received, both from State bodies — the HSE and Irish Water. No submissions from the general public were received in relation to the plans.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Johnnie Wall described the design as “terrible” and “awful” and asked about whether there would be radon gas preventative measures installed in the foundation. He received assurances any radon gas concerns would be addressed in the design and construction, as per all new builds.

The view from the amphitheater area.

Sinn Féin Cllr Cathal Foley said opinions on design were subjective and he liked the design, especially the vertical windows and balconies.

He also said the red brick was in line with the industrial heritage of the area and hoped the colour would match the chimney stack nearby.

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Independent Cllr Sam Locke asked whether the windows were triple-glazed, because he felt double-glazed windows would not suffice with noise from Matt Talbot Road. He was told there was every chance they would be triple-glazed.

Cllr Locke welcomed the development as he said local authority housing was desperately needed.

Fine Gael Cllr Jim Finucane said he hoped people with mobility and medical issues would be prioritised when allocating the housing.

Labour Cllr Terry O’Brien was a bit apprehensive about the look of the building, but was willing to trust the design team and welcomed new housing units in the town.

Sinn Féin Cllr Deirdre Ferris said she hoped that there would be PVC framed windows rather than wooden ones installed to avoid any maintenance issues, especially if elderly people to those with mobility issues were living there. She welcomed the development.

Mayor of Tralee, Fianna Fáil Cllr Mikey Sheehy, congratulated the housing team on the development, which he said would be a boost to the town centre. He said it would suit people of an older demographic as they would be close to services.

The view from Matt Talbot Road.
View from the pedestrianised area.
The view from the landscaped garden area.
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The view from Matt Talbot Road.

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Entertainment, News, WHAT'S ON

Christmas Floral Demonstration In Aid Of Local Cancer Support Charity

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Kathleen Reidy

AFTER a two-year absence due to Covid19, Recovery Haven Kerry Cancer Support House is delighted to announce the return of a very special pre-Christmas treat on Thursday, December 15.

Award-winning floral designer, Kathleen Reidy – who had been a member of the Tralee Flower Club for over 20 years – will host a gala festive floral demonstration at The River Island Hotel in Castleisland, where she will showcase her wonderful talent by creating a number of Christmas themed decorative pieces.

Kathleen – who has won the coveted Féile na mBláth Perpetual Cup multiple times – is renowned for her wonderful creations and has once again kindly agreed to raffle all her arrangements at the event in aid of the charity.

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The event, which has been running for the past number of years for various local charities, is always a fabulous prelude to the Christmas celebrations and the Recovery Haven team is encouraging as many people as possible to come along and savour the unique atmosphere.

Recovery Haven Kerry’s manager, Siobhan MacSweeney, thanked Kathleen for hosting the event again this year, adding that the charity is thrilled to be working with such a talented and professional lady who will guarantee a wonderful Christmas-themed night not to be missed.

The event gets underway at 7.30pm sharp and tickets – priced at €10 (including tea/coffee and refreshments) – will be available at the door on the night.

All of Kathleen’s arrangements, meanwhile, will be raffled throughout the evening, with all proceeds going to Recovery Haven Kerry.

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