.St John’s Parochial School sixth class pupils in front of the handprints part of the mural, before finishing their primary schooldays on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT’S been an exciting week for pupils at St John’s Parochial School, Ashe Street.
Not only were they getting their summer holidays on Thursday afternoon, but they also finished their wonderful mural in time for the sixth class pupils to see it before they left the school for the last time.
Teacher Muireann McCoy explained the idea behind the mural, which took two weeks to complete and saw all pupils take a role including placing their handprints on it for posterity.
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“We’re involved with the creative schools initiative funded by the Arts Council and we decided to do a mural which has elements of the history of Tralee and a project with the Heritage Council,” said Muireann.
“We have a culverted river from Ashe Street, the 800 year old church, St Brendan the Navigator’s boat, a viking longboat, a pirate ship and the mountains and trees you’ll find around Kerry.”
Teacher Muireann McCoy with pupils in front of the mural at St John’s Parochial School on Thursday morning. Photo by Dermot CreanThe mural at at St John’s Parochial School..
.Mary O’Carroll and Sean Lyons of TIRC with Cllr Angie Baily at the event to mark World Refugee Day. Photo by Dermot Crean
TRALEE International Resource Centre (TIRC) hosted an event during Thursday lunchtime to mark World Refugee Day – a day to honour refugees around the world.
It is the international day designated by the United Nations to celebrate the courage of those forced to flee their homes.
This year the focus of the day is on ‘our home’ – from the places we gather to share meals to our collective home, planet earth: World Refugee Day calls for global solidarity with refugees, a world where they are welcomed, not feared.
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Refugees and guests enjoyed refreshments and a performance from the TIRC choir during the lunchtime get-together.
While there has been a huge influx of Ukrainian refugees to the county since March of 2022, Kerry has welcomed many refugees over the years, from across the world, all forced to flee conflict in their home countries, and the Tralee International Resource Centre has been working to support them for the past 15 years as they settle into life in Tralee.
“Every person on this planet has a right to seek safety – whoever they are, wherever they come from and whenever they are forced to flee,” said TIRC coordinator Mary Carroll.
Mary Carroll said “there are more than 43 million refugees around the globe, looking for many of the things we Irish take for granted — a home, hope, dignity and justice. On World Refugee Day, we can celebrate the courage that refugees show as they embark on a future that is sometimes uncertain within an environment which is often very unfamiliar. I think we also need to celebrate our own courage to do what’s right and to speak up and help in any way we can.”
She added; “Simple acts like having a chat, walking together, or sending a message of welcome can help everyone feel like they belong. Together, we can work in solidarity to ensure all our neighbours, new and familiar, have safe and welcoming homes.”
Mary Carroll concluded’ “We all have a moral obligation and the responsibility to lend a helping hand to people who must flee persecution or internal conflict. Empathy knows no borders, and we can all have empathy and understanding for people who have had to flee and rebuild their lives.”
TIRC is on hand to offer support and advice to all refugees as they settle in their new home in Kerry. Please feel free to contact them at 0667121918 or visit www.tirc.ie. Scroll down for photos…
Some of the members of the TIRC Choir singing at the event to mark World Refugee Day. Photo by Dermot Crean.Guests at the event to mark World Refugee Day. Photo by Dermot Crean.Guests at the event to mark World Refugee Day. Photo by Dermot CreanGuests at the event to mark World Refugee Day. Photo by Dermot Crean.Guests at the event to mark World Refugee Day. Photo by Dermot CreanSean Lyons speaking at the event to mark World Refugee Day. Photo by Dermot Crean.
.The Knocknacuig archaeological project just outside Tralee will benefit from Heritage Council funding. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE Heritage Council has provided €148,000 in funding for nine heritage projects in Kerry.
The Heritage Council grants include funding for a historical survery of buildings in Tralee, and for the Knockanacuig Community Archaeology Project located just outside Tralee (see full list below).
Minister for Education and Kerry T.D. Norma Foley has welcomed the funding saying “Kerry is a county steeped in a wealth of heritage, including centuries-old buildings, our magnificent landscape and fascinating local history. I want to thank the Heritage Council for supporting the preservation of our rich heritage in Kerry.”
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The full list of the projects in Kerry is below…
List of projects funded by the Heritage Council in Kerry in 2024
• Castleisland District Heritage — €17,600 for Digitisation of Records and New Website
• Comharchumann Forbartha Chorca Dhuibhne — €21,995 for Online Digital Photographic archive of Chorca Dhuibhne Scheme
• Tralee Chamber Alliance — €14,450 for A Historical Survey to Provide Owners and Stakeholders with an Understanding of their Street and Practical Information on Caring for their Buildings Scheme
• Portmagee Tidy Towns / Portmagee Development Group CLG — €7,960 for Survey for the Endangered Native Oyster (Ostrea edulis) in the Portmagee Channel.
• Killorglin Chamber Alliance — €4,674 for Invasive Species Management Plan for the proposed Killorglin Town Park
• Kerry Writers’ Museum — €40,000 for Appointment of Curator to Establish the Kerry Documentary Film Archive
• Kerry County Council — €4,082 towards Strategic Management of Invasive Species in Kerry
• Kerry County Council — €16,000 for Knockanacuig Community Archaeology Project
• Kerry County Council — €21,500 for project on Architecture and Heritage in the Kingdom
PREPARATIONS are being made for the 43rd Blennerville Horse and Pony Agricultural Show which will take place on Sunday, July 14.
This will be the third show to be held in the new showgrounds in Ballymacthomas, Ballymacelligott.
Building on the success of previous shows, this year will see Ponies, Horses, Cattle, and Sheep compete in their respective classes as well as a Dog Show, Bonny Baby competition, Baking competition and colouring contest.
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Gates opening from 9 a.m. and will include entertainment and fun for all the family. As well as the competitive events, there will be stalls for local vendors, bouncy castles and children’s entertainment and a visit from some of the furry residents of Sandy Feet Farm.
More details will follow on their Facebook page, but for now put the date in your diary for a fun day out for all the family.
PREPARATIONS are being made for the 43rd Blennerville Horse and Pony Agricultural Show which will take place on Sunday, July 14.