Students of Causeway Comprehensive talk with President Micheal D Higgins, from left: Aoife O’Mahony, Freya Casey and Brianne Barrett. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
PRESIDENT of Ireland, Micheal D Higgins, visited IT Tralee on Tuesday to launch the college becoming the worlds’s first UNESCO chair in physical education, sports, recreation and fitness.
A festival atmosphere that greeted the President, with performers at every turn showing off the talent of the area.
Flanked by security, Micheal D Higgins chatted with the many different organisations, businesses, groups and charities who had assembled for the visit that lasted just over an hour.
President Higgins, commended the college for their efforts in the onward protection of rights for people with disabilities.
“The institute will continue to work on the very difficult interface between ignorance and understanding, between tolerance and intolerance, between prejudice and justice and between exclusion and inclusion,” President Higgins said.
“The purpose of the chair is to advocate for policy change, conduct research, and deliver education and training to facilitate the creation of a more inclusive society, with physical education, sport, recreation and fitness acting as conduits towards the attainment of social justice,” he said.
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President Micheal D Higgins, speaks during the UNESCO launch at IT Tralee. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Members of Cerebral Palsy Sport have a chat with the President. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Denise Mahony and her mother Mary get a chance to meet President Higgins. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
A St John of God Kerry Services group meet President Micheal D Higgins, front, from left: Maurice Flahaven, Stephen Roche, President Higgins, Maeve Ryan. Back: Lisa Struk, Phil McSweeney and Martin Murphy. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
From Killorglin Community College, with the President were, from left: Donal O’Reilly, Timothy McGrath, Donal Brennan, Seamus Murphy and Melissa O’Riordan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Keith Wood and Dick Spring listen to president Micheal D Higgins, speech at the UNESCO launch in IT Tralee. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Entertainer R.G Allen, awaiting, the President’s arrival. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Mairead Farmer with President Micheal D Higgins. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
The IT Tralee Gymnastics group that performed for the President on Arrival. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
At the IT Tralee UNESCO Chair Launch were, from left: Micheal Scanlon, Linda Raymond and Pat Flanagan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
At the IT Tralee UNESCO Chair Launch were, from left: Henry Adedejr, Trina Casey, Siona Dineen, Hannah Hennessy and Mark Lynch. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
At the IT Tralee UNESCO Chair Launch were, from left: Danielle Travers, Liona Higgins, Kate Harrington, Selena Hogan and Martina O’Brien. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
At the IT Tralee UNESCO Chair Launch were Liam Duggan, Joe Crosby, Graham Nelligan, Adrian Whitehead and Brian McCann. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Some members of ‘IT Tralee PE 400’ who performed rhythmic gymnastics for the president were, from left, front: Katie McAuliffe and Sarah Miley. Back: Dara MCarthy, Philomena Bates, Tracy Rogers, Cian Farrell, Niamh Doyle and Kim Green. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
At the IT Tralee UNESCO Chair Launch from Tralee Educate Together were, from left: Saorlaith Moore, Karoliana Szlapka K.C Crowe, Finn O’Neil, Mia Landers Commane, Mare Sliwkna and Mary Brosnan (Principal).Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
At the IT Tralee UNESCO Chair Launch were, from left: Gerry Gallagher, Maire Vieux, Karen Leahy and Dara O’Carroll. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
HI, great coverage of the event recently in Tralee- thanks for the nice report and photos!