FURTHER results from Census 2022 were released today by the Central Statistics Office pertaining to Kerry, revealing more about life in the Kingdom.
Of Kerry’s population of 156,458 (a rise of 6% on 2016), 79,071 were female and 77,387 were male, which means there were 98 males for every 100 females.
In Ireland overall, there were 2,604,590 females and 2,544,549 males or 98 males for every 100 females.
The average age of Kerry’s population in April 2022 was 41.5 years, compared with 40.2 years in April 2016. Nationally, the average age of the population was 38.8, up from 37.4 in April 2016.
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The number of people aged 65 and over continues to grow. This age group increased by 18% to 29,567 in Kerry and by 22% to 776,315 at a national level since 2016.
In Kerry, the number of dual Irish citizens increased from 3,039 to 5,471 while non-Irish citizens accounted for 10% of the county’s population.
Nationally, dual Irish citizenship increased by 63% from 104,784 to 170,597 people and non-Irish citizens made up 12% of the population.
The proportion of separated and divorced people in Kerry remains steady at 6% of the population (aged 15 and over), the same as in 2016. The national comparison was 6% in both 2016 and 2022.
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In 2022, 83% of people in Kerry stated that their health was good or very good compared with 86% in 2016. Nationally, 83% of people stated that their health was good/very good, compared to 87% in 2016.
The number of people (aged three and over) who stated that they could speak Irish in Kerry was 62,887 compared with 61,597 in 2016. Within this figure, 3,763 said they spoke Irish daily while 4,302 spoke Irish weekly. Nationally, 1,873,997 people stated they were able to speak Irish, with 71,968 speaking Irish daily and 115,065 speaking it weekly.
There were 67,545 people (aged 15 and over) at work in Kerry, an increase of 6,323 people (+10%) between 2016 and 2022. Nationally, there were 313,656 additional people (+16%) at work.
In Kerry, 17,119 people (aged 15 and over) worked from home at least one day a week in 2022.This represented 25% of the workforce. The national figure was 32%.
There were 28,756 children aged 15 and under in Kerry in April 2022. Of these, 9,454 (33%) were in childcare, compared with 33% nationally.
In 2022, 70% of households in Kerry owned their own home, with a further 24% renting. This compared with 66% of households owning their home nationally and 28% renting.
In Kerry, 19% of households wrote a message in the Time Capsule. Nationally, this figure was 19%.
THE number of patients waiting on trolleys at University Hospital Kerry in May was the highest for that month since records began and almost double May 2022 numbers.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation trolley watch figures for the month showed there were 276 patients waiting on trolleys at UHK in May compared to 146 in 2022 and the previous high of 272 in 2018.
The INMO confirmed that this month has been the worst May for overcrowding nationwide since the union began counting trolleys in 2006. There were 11,856 admitted patients, including 300 children, treated on trolleys or chairs in hospitals around the country this month.
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The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has called on the HSE to take immediate corrective measures to deal with the ongoing trolley crisis.
INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “The number of patients we have seen on trolleys in the month of May are higher than January 2023, when we saw the worst levels of daily hospital overcrowding since the INMO began counting trolleys. This type of overcrowding at the beginning of summer must be immediately addressed to prevent an even more chaotic winter.
“Nurses are working in a system that has normalised over 500 people a day on trolleys. They have had little to no reprieve from overcrowding. Our members are reporting high levels of burnout and their intention to leave their current work area is higher than it has ever been.”
“We need to see a laser-like focus from Government and the HSE to tackling the overcrowding crisis in our hospitals once and for all.”
.Bjorn Minnie, Assistant Store Manager ALDI Tralee (John Joe Sheehy Rd), presenting €5,000 cheque to ALDI Play Rugby competition runner-up school, Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn, Ráth Ronáin, Tralee, Co Kerry, to upgrade their sporting facilities.
ALDI and the IRFU have announced that Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn in Tralee are one of two schools in Kerry to have won €5,000 in this year’s ALDI Play Rugby sticker competition.
Along with Filemore National School in Caherciveen, the Gaelscoil was among the ten lucky runners-up in this year’s competition, which attracted 5,682 entries from schools across Ireland.
The prize money will be put towards developing and upgrading sporting facilities at each school. The overall winner of the €50,000 top prize was Lisboduff National School in Cootehill, Co. Cavan.
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ALDI, as the Official Fresh Food Partner of Irish Rugby, launched the competition in January. It gave schools the chance to win a life-changing sports facility makeover worth €50,000 by simply collecting ALDI Play Rugby stickers.
Shoppers received one sticker for every €25 spent and a completed poster with 300 stickers earned each school an entry into the draw.
KERRY County Council says they will work with the business community to ensure there are family events and activities on the streets of Tralee during the Rose of Tralee Festival.
Following the recent announcement by the Rose of Tralee International Festival Committee that they will not provide street entertainment during the Festival, management from Kerry County Council met with the Festival Committee on Tuesday afternoon.
On Wednesday morning, the Tralee Municipal District Members were updated on the current position by the Chief Executive.
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A statement from the Council issued this morning reads; “Tralee Municipal District wishes to state that they are fully supportive of the continuation of the street events in the Town Centre and will be working over the coming weeks with the local business community and organisations to ensure that this great county festival will continue to provide the family events and activities that it is renowned for.
“The street festival and family activities form an integral part of the Festival in Tralee, and Kerry County Council has traditionally been a strong promoter of family-orientated festivals,” concluded the statement.
NINE projects in Kerry will share €96,263 in funding announced today through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF).
Over €2.5 million is being awarded to local authorities nationwide under the fund announced today by Malcolm Noonan TD, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform. Projects in Kerry approved this year are:
€34,000 for Japanese Knotweed treatment in Dingle and West Kerry
€17,000 for a Rhododendron ponticum Strategy
€11,475 for the Kerry Biosphere Educational Programme 2023
€8,500 for Dune Restoration in Natura 2000 in Kerry
€8,500 to Celebrate 30 Years of Knowledge of the Shannon Dolphins
€8,500 to Improve Soil Biodiversity by the use of natural bio-fertilisers
€4,250 for Bat survey
€2,550 Barn Owl Booklet
€1,488 Delivering Climate Action Training to Teachers
Operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the scheme was first launched in 2018.
Since then, a total of just over €6m has been granted to local authorities through the LBAF for projects that support actions in the 3rd National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP).
.Elaine Dennehy, Lilly O’Sullivan and Siobhan Burns at the Presentation Secondary Tralee retirement/end of year function at The Ashe Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
STAFF from Presentation Secondary School gathered at The Ashe Hotel on Friday last to celebrate the contribution of retired colleagues and to mark the end of the school year.
Teachers Marie Hand and Margaret O’Connell and former principal Mary Kennelly were feted on the night, lauded for their dedication to education over the years.
Maths teacher Margaret O’Connell had been teaching at the school since 1984 while Marie Hand taught French and maths at Pres for 12 years. Mary Kennelly was appointed principal in 2018, but has since left the school.
The night was also an occasion for teachers to enjoy well-deserved night out as the academic year come to a close. Scroll down for photos…
Retirees Marie Hand, Mary Kennelly and Margaret O’Connell at the Presentation Secondary Tralee retirement/end of year function at The Ashe Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Caroline Foley, Kay Galvin and Sheila O’Connell at the Presentation Secondary Tralee retirement/end of year function at The Ashe Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanMary O’Mahony and Isabel Horgan at the Presentation Secondary Tralee retirement/end of year function at The Ashe Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Pauline Kennelly, Mary Mulcahy and Maria O’Neill at the Presentation Secondary Tralee retirement/end of year function at The Ashe Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanMary Twomey and Bridget McDonnell at the Presentation Secondary Tralee retirement/end of year function at The Ashe Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Caitriona Walsh and Colm O’Sullivan at the Presentation Secondary Tralee retirement/end of year function at The Ashe Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanMary Twomey, Moira O’Connor, Caitriona Walsh, Lorna O’Callaghan, Catherine O’Mahony and Helena Madigan at the Presentation Secondary Tralee retirement/end of year function at The Ashe Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Retirees Marie Hand, Mary Kennelly and Margaret O’Connell with Principal Mairead Finucane at the Presentation Secondary Tralee retirement/end of year function at The Ashe Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanGathering for the Presentation Secondary Tralee retirement/end of year function at The Ashe Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.
.Colette Price, Principal Mike O’Toole and Ciara Culloty at the St John’s Parochial School Fun Run in the Town Park on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT was a cloudy, but dry Sunday morning in the Town Park as pupils, their families and staff from St John’s Parochial School Tralee gathered for a family fun run in Tralee Town Park.
There was a lovely atmosphere as the school community came together with the aim of the run to raise funds to build a playground for the children within the safety of the school grounds.
Plenty of preparation went into the day and it certainly paid off as it was a fun way to spend a Sunday morning. Scroll down for photos…
Participants at the St John’s Parochial School Fun Run in the Town Park on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean.Margaret Mulvihill and Lisa Mulvihill at the St John’s Parochial School Fun Run in the Town Park on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot CreanVeronica O’Dowd and Catriona O’Reilly with Anna O’Reilly, Iarla Murphy and Bronagh Murphy at the St John’s Parochial School Fun Run in the Town Park on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean.David and Muireann Demery with Oscar and Alice and Hugo the dog at the St John’s Parochial School Fun Run in the Town Park on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot CreanAlison, Linda, Jessica and Hannah Butler at the St John’s Parochial School Fun Run in the Town Park on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean.Yolanda Phiri, Melanie Ncube and Ayanda Phiri at the St John’s Parochial School Fun Run in the Town Park on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot CreanThady, Sophia, Christina and Sasha Baily at the St John’s Parochial School Fun Run in the Town Park on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean.Alex Maritz, Lucy Smith, Billy Giles, Evie Giles, Heidi Giles and Rosie Giles at the St John’s Parochial School Fun Run in the Town Park on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot CreanYolanda Phiri, Melanie Ncube, Ayanda Phiri, Nico Phiri and Thamsanta at the St John’s Parochial School Fun Run in the Town Park on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean.Darragh, Andrew and Suzy Doherty at the St John’s Parochial School Fun Run in the Town Park on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot CreanPatricia Fitzell, June Noonan, Maura O’Sullivan, Danny Murphy and Aoife Tanner at the St John’s Parochial School Fun Run in the Town Park on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
.Alan Corcoran, Fiona O’Donoghue, Lisa Barton, Betty O’Connor and Noel Ryan launching the Three Peaks Challenge.
KILLARNEY Cycle Club is inviting participants for the Three Peaks Challenge in mid-June.
The sportive, which takes place on Saturday, June 17 at 10am, covers some of the most rugged and beautiful landscape in Ireland, with a choice of 100km and 75km routes.
This could be the perfect warm-up for those of you doing the Ring of Kerry Cycle this year. The 100km challenges the stronger cyclists and the 75km gives cyclists the chance to become familiar with Moll’s gap which is on of the Ring of Kerry route.
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You can enjoy a leg massage from a physio to rejuvenate tired legs, before tucking into dressed burgers with chicken skewers when you finish and everyone will also be included in the raffle for the spot prizes kindly donated by sponsors. It costs €30 for Cycling Ireland members.
There will also be food stops and refreshment areas on both routes and the route is marshalled at all the major junctions.
Guidance Counsellor Billy Ryle has some last minute advice for 2023 State Exams candidates to help them reap the rewards for all the hard work they’ve put in…
The waiting is almost over for about 134,800 Leaving Cert and Junior Cycle students as the exams get under way next Wednesday, 7th June.
Exam entries are up by 3,400 or 2.5% on last year’s figure. 60,200 have applied for the Leaving Cert Established (LC) exam, 3,800 for the Leaving Cert Applied (LCA) and 70,800 for the Junior Cycle exam.
The Leaving Cert exam returned to the traditional format last year after two years of calculated and accredited grades.
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Minister Norma Foley has confirmed that there will be no ‘cliff edge’ plunge or automatic return to pre-pandemic exam results for Leaving Certificate candidates this year.
That means overall marks this year will be no lower than last year’s results. This will once again be achieved by allowing the State Examinations Commission (SEC) to apply a ‘post-marking intervention,’ which will increase candidates marks.
Options
There will also be a copious supply of CAO, Further Education, Apprenticeships, Traineeships and Employment places available for school leavers in a buoyant economy.
So, it’s all good news for candidates lining up for the Leaving Cert exam. The Leaving Certificate exams, the Junior Cycle exams and the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) exams will run until Tuesday, 27th June, Monday, 19th June and Thursday, 15th June, respectively.
Weather Alert
In the current heatwave, it’s imperative for all exam candidates to avoid over-exposure to the blistering sun and to stay hydrated.
Enjoy your swim, but resist the temptation of lengthy sunbathing sessions and take lots of cold drinks.
It’s difficult to resist the glorious weather but be sensible and careful. Apply sun block, wear sunglasses and a hat with a wide brim. It will be worth it if you avoid sunburn and if you go into the exams full of energy.
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Final Weekend
This is the final weekend for major revision. Stick to your study plan on Saturday and Sunday. Concentrate on subjects being examined during the first week. As the exams run into the subsequent weeks, the optional subjects are nicely spaced out allowing for study days.
Prioritise
Leaving Cert candidates should prioritise last minute work in English, Home Economics, Engineering, Geography and Mathematics Paper One and get it done by Sunday night.
Likewise Junior Cert candidates should do the same in English, Religious Education, Irish, History, Geography and Maths.
On Monday, concentrate on the tips and predictions for subjects being examined the first week. Don’t cram on the days before the exam as this may cause confusion and fatigue.
Alertness
Spent an hour or two on Tuesday skimming over your notes for Wednesday’s exams and leave it at that.
Some relaxed leisure will be more beneficial than spending the day cramming material that you may not recall anyway. You need a clear and alert mind going into the exams on Wednesday morning and for the duration of the exam period.
Notes
On the evening before each exam subject spend an hour or so looking over your notes so that the important concepts and ideas are fresh in your mind.
Heavy study sessions on the night prior to any paper are not a good idea as you will be exhausted the following morning.
Instead, relax and get a good night’s rest. Put all thoughts of the following day’s exam out of your mind. If you find it difficult to sleep, try a little non-academic reading for a short while.
Personal Materials
Over the next few days check your equipment and assemble your exam materials – black or blue biros, pencils, ruler, eraser, drawing instruments, calculator and so on.
Have at least two biros in case one doesn’t work properly. It’s time, too, to organise your personal needs such as a watch and tissues.
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Relax
A few nerves are normal on the first day so be prepared to deal with it. A relaxation exercise or maybe a shower to freshen up will do the trick.
Eat a nutritious breakfast as you’ll need the extra reserves of energy. Finally, go through your equipment checklist before leaving home.
Pre-Exam Mode
On Wednesday morning arrive at the exam centre at least a half hour before the exam begins.
For all subsequent exams be present about fifteen minutes before the appointed time. Spend the few minutes before entering the exam centre on your own in peace and quiet.
At all costs, avoid groups that are involved in last minute revision. If you need to, use the bathroom before you enter the exam centre.
Be in your seat a few moments before the exam is due to begin. Synchronise your watch with the clock on the wall and use your watch or the clock to help you pace your work.
Exam Centre Check
Check your seat and desk for firmness and stability. A shaky desk will torment you and distract you during the exam. When the answer book is distributed, fill in the required details and read the directions.
When you receive your question paper read the instructions carefully in case there is any change of format. Don’t be put off by your first glance at the paper.
It’s new and it will look unfamiliar at first. Once the exam begins, keep to your prepared answering plan and address the questions that are asked.
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Post-mortem
If you finish a paper before the time is up, do not leave the exam centre. Recheck your work and extra information may come to you.
Attempt an extra question only when you have thoroughly answered the previous questions. Once an exam is over, spend as little time as possible on a post-mortem.
Focus on the next paper and stay in exam mode until you finish your final subject. Remember the Leaving Cert is a marathon rather than a sprint.
When the entire exam is over, forget about it and enjoy your summer. There is no advantage in dwelling on what might have been. Be happy and satisfied that you have done your best.
Exam Results
Leaving Cert candidates got a timely boost last week when it was announced that Leaving Cert results will be available on Friday, 25th August and the CAO Round One college offers will quickly follow on Wednesday, 30th August.
The State Examinations Commission (SEC) is holding a second set of exams from the 29th June to the 15th July for candidates who experience an extreme medical emergency during an exam or suffer a family bereavement.
So, it’s looking very promising for exam candidates. Go in there and ‘play a blinder.’ Good luck to all candidates starting exams next week.
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Checklist
• Concentrate on subjects being examined in the first week
• Complete major revision by Sunday night
• In a relaxed study session on Monday concentrate on tips and predictions
• On Tuesday just skim over your revision notes for an hour or two
• Have a clear and alert mind going into each exam
• Arrange the equipment and materials you will need for the exams
• Organise your personal needs such as a watch and tissues
• Spend the few minutes before entering the exam centre in peace and quiet
• Be in your seat a few minutes before the start of each exam
• Check that your seat and desk are firm and steady
• Read the instructions carefully
• Know what to expect but be prepared for the unexpected
• Use all the time available to you
• Once an exam is over, avoid protracted post-mortems
• The exams are a marathon rather than a sprint
vEat well during the exams when you’ll need lots of energy
• Avoid over-exposure to the blistering sun
• Keep fluid levels high to avoid dehydration
• Take regular aerobic exercise during the exam period
• Exam timetables are available on www.examinations.ie
• Leaving Cert results will be published on Friday, 25th August
• CAO Round One offers will be available at 2pm on Wed., 30th August
• Good luck to everybody doing exams.
Billy Ryle is a Career Guidance Counsellor and educational commentator
Kerry FC Academy had 3 teams in cup action at the weekend. The under 17 and 19 teams won in dramatic fashion.
However the under 14 side lost out in an 8 goal thriller. Star billing this week goes to JP Mullin’s under 19 team.
They advanced in the Enda Mc Guill Cup thanks to a nail biting penalty shoot out. They hosted Wexford FC on Sunday afternoon in Mounthawk Park.
The game was played in glorious sunshine and both sides produced some outstanding football, in an entertaining game.
Kerry dominated the opening half but could not get an elusive goal. However Kennedy Amechi put Kerry ahead shortly after the restart following good work by Matthew Carroll in midfield.
The visitors rallied after this but found no way past Obinna Izehi and Sean O Connell at the back. Keeper Richard Healy also produced several top class saves to deny Wexford. However he had no chance with a Filip Wasilewski shot in the 79th minute.
Both sides had chances in the closing stages but neither team could not get a winner ,so the game went to extra time.
Wexford took the lead just after 4 minutes and again it was Wasilewski that found the net. Kerry to their credit rallied and created chances via the skill of Cianan Cooney in attack.
In the closing stages Cooney was instrumental in setting up Kennedy Amechi to grab a late equaliser, to send the game to a dreaded penalty shoot out.
In the shoot out Sean O’Connell, Venis Jahiri, Kennedy Amechi and Cianan Cooney kept their nerve to dispatch great goals to see Kerry FC progress , to the delight of their many supporters. Man of the Match Kennedy Amechi.
The under 17 team also advanced in dramatic fashion,in the Mark Farren Cup. On Saturday they travelled to Cobh to take on Ramblers in Stephen Ireland Park. Kerry took the game to the home side from the kick off.
Tom Healy, Andrew Kerins and Luke Palmer all had chances in the opening half. Kerry should have broke the deadlock in 44th minute when they were awarded a penalty.
However Kyle Foley failed to convert from the spot kick.Cobh came more into the game in the second half. However the Kerry back four of Nathan Aherne,Oran Horgan, Adam Finn and Cian Beirne were in tremendous form throughout the match.
Coalan Mitchell in goal was another player to star as the scoreline suggest. The game eventually went to extra time but Kerry continued to press thanks to good work by sub Jamie Forde.
In the dying minutes that elusive winner game and it was indeed a worthy winner.Josh Bowler was the Kerry hero.
He produced a magical goal in the 122 minute to win an enthralling encounter,to the delight of the travelling fans. Man of the Match Josh Bowler .
Unfortunately on Saturday the U14 team were gallant losers in the Eddie Wallace Cup.They hosted Carlow/Killkenny in Mounthawk Park. However in an entertaining encounter they lost out in an 8 goal spectacle.
The visitors took the lead in the 18th minute following a good passing movement. Kerry dominated for the next 20 minutes. Callum Robertson equalized with a strike to the bottom corner in the 39th minute.
Edison Jahiri put Kerry ahead 3 minutes later with another superb drive from the edge of the box. Kerry created further chances thanks to good work by Shane Donovan and Darragh O’Sullivan in the middle of the park.
However the visitors hit a purple patch at the start of the second half. Callum Slattery and Logan Tennyson both bagged a brace of goals to see them go 5-2 ahead.
Ciaran Murphy reduced the deficit with 12 minutes remaining.Kerry pressed hard in the closing stages and were unlucky not to score again before the final whistle blew.
On the day Jack O,Connor and David O, Donoghue also impressed in defence.
Fixtures – On Saturday Kerry FC under 14 team are away to Bray Wanderers.
FURTHER results from Census 2022 were released today by the Central Statistics Office pertaining to Kerry, revealing more about life in the Kingdom.
THE number of patients waiting on trolleys at University Hospital Kerry in May was the highest for that month since records began and almost double May 2022 numbers.
NINE projects in Kerry will share €96,263 in funding announced today through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF).
Guidance Counsellor Billy Ryle has some last minute advice for 2023 State Exams candidates to help them reap the rewards for all the hard work they’ve put in…