.The Curraheen Choir in full voice outside O’Shea’s Gala in Blennerville on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT’S a Christmas tradition now.
The beautiful collective voice of the Curraheen Choir could be heard on Friday evening outside O’Shea’s Gala in Blennerville as they sang Christmas carols for a great cause.
The Choir has raised thousands of euro since they started the fundraiser for St Vincent de Paul around eight years ago. The choir sang from 5pm to 6.30pm for the great cause and customers slotted their cash into the donation point.
Kieran and Mary O’Shea of O’Shea’s Gala, along with the choir, thanked their customers for the generosity shown to the charity.
Continuing our review of 2023 we look back at some of the news we brought you in February…
• GOOD news to start the month as it was announced that €2,350,000 would be provided for 27 projects in Kerry under the Active Travel Scheme for walking and cycling infrastructure.
The funding in the Tralee area included €34,000 for Bracker O’Regan Road; €100,000 for works from the canal to town centre, €34,000 for junction upgrades as well as grants under the Safe Routes To School programme for five Tralee schools.
• It was announced that Kerry County Council would receive €30,950,225 under the 2023 investment programme for regional and local roads.
Under the programme Tralee Northern Relief Road would receive €3,000,000 which includes the construction of 2km of footway and cycleways, the Tralee to Fenit realignment, Phase 3 will receive €600,000 and Clash Cross to Ballymullen, Phase 2 will receive €900,000.
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• TRALEE Chamber Alliance announced that the parking meters in town now allow for Google and Apple Pay options.
The new meters were installed in summer 2022 allowing motorists to pay both by cash and card, but not by Google and Apple Pay options.
in February they said the parking meters were in full operation across all of Tralee accepting these options via phone and smartwatch.
• A NEW era for soccer in the county began in February as Kerry FC played their first ever League of Ireland game at Mounthawk Park.
The sold-out match was an inauspicious start though, as they lost 0-2 to Cobh Ramblers. It was still an occasion to remember for Kerry FC fans who would stick with the team through thick and thin over the course of the season.
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• IT was a manic Monday, February 20, at Listellick NS as staff and pupils finally made the big move to their amazing, brand new school.
The school body all made the walk together from the old school just 50 yards down the hill, to the big, bright, impressive new building at 9am.
In fact, they were continuing a walk up the hill which the pupils of 1969 started when they strolled from their old school even further down to the road — which stood since 1864 — to the then new site, which served generations of pupils for the past 54 years.
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.Photo: John Kiernan
• A POIGNANT, emotional but defiant event took place in The Square on Friday, February 24 to mark the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine.
Hundreds of members of the Ukrainian community in Tralee joined locals in a vigil to remember loved ones still in their home country and those who have lost their lives in the war.
Organised by the Ukrainian community in Tralee, it was also an opportunity to thank the people of Kerry who have welcomed them over the past year since the Russian invasion.
Tony Brosnan celebrates.
• OVER 11,000 people paid in to see Kerry beat Armagh in Austin Stack at the end of February.
Kerry took the points in a turgid match under the lights. It was Kerry’s fourth game of the league campaign having already lost to Donegal and Mayo with a win over Monaghan in between.
Meanwhile, the Kerry ladies had a great February going unbeaten during the month and setting themselves up well for March’s tests.
Know Your Rights has been compiled by Kerry Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public…
Q. What is the Additional Needs Payment?
The Additional Needs Payment is a payment to help you with an expense that you cannot pay from your weekly income. You may get an Additional Needs Payment, if you are working and on a low income, or getting a social welfare payment.
When you apply for the payment, your income and circumstances will be assessed to find out if you qualify. You can make a paper application or apply on-line. You can get a form from your local CIC.
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Q. What can I get the Additional Needs Payment for?
You can get the Additional Needs Payment to help you with an expense that you cannot pay from your weekly income. For example:
• An increase in your fuel or electricity costs
• Essential repairs to property, including motor vehicles and replacing household appliances and furniture
• Funeral costs
• Deposits for private rented accommodation
• Bedding and cooking utensils, if you are setting up home for the first time
• Food, clothing and shelter after an emergency event such as a fire or flood
• Recurring travel costs to hospital
• Visiting a relative in hospital or prison
This is not a complete list, other expenses can be covered too.
Q. How does one qualify for an Additional Needs Payment?
To qualify for an Additional Needs Payment, you must live in Ireland and have an income below the ‘weekly household income’ limit for your household size e.g. €390 for a single person, €490 for a couple with no children.
The amount increases for families e.g. €692 for a family with 2 children, €793 if there are 3 children and €884 if there are 4 children and so on.
When you apply for an Additional Needs Payment your application will be assessed by a Community Welfare Officer (CWO).
The CWO will look at your circumstances and decide if you qualify for the payment. In some cases, the CWO can provide a payment if your income is above the weekly household income limit, but it will depend on your circumstances.
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Q. How much is an Additional Needs Payment?
There is no set rate for an Additional Needs Payment. The amount you get will depend on your circumstances and what you need help with.
Q. How can I apply for the Additional Needs Payment?
When you apply for an Additional Needs Payment your application will be assessed by a Community Welfare Officer (CWO). You can apply online through MyWelfare.ie. To apply online, you will need a verified MyGovID account.
Alternatively, you can complete a paper application form. You can post your application for an Additional Needs Payment or make an appointment with your local CWO, if you prefer.
If you post your application, the CWO may issue a payment or arrange an appointment to meet with you.
Q. Where can I get an ANP application form?
You can download and fill-in the application form for an Additional Needs Payment (SWA1) and send it to your local Community Welfare Service.
If you are applying for help with funeral costs you will need to fill in SWA1 and SWA5 for help with funeral costs. You can get a form from your local Citizens Information Centre and they will help you to complete it, if you need assistance
You can also get application forms at your local Community Welfare Service and fill it in there.
For general information about the Community Welfare Service and application forms phone: 0818 60 70 80
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Q. What supporting documentation will I need to provide when I apply?
You will need some of the following to apply:
• PPS number for you and people in your family that are dependent on you such as your partner or children
• Proof of your identity such as Public Services Card, Driving Licence or Passport
• Proof of address such as a household bill
• Proof of residency such as an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) or EU/EEA passport or national ID card
• Proof of income and financial situation such as payslips and bank statements
For general information about the Community Welfare Service phone: 0818 60 70 80
• For anyone needing information, advice or have an advocacy issue, you can call a member of the local Citizens Information team in Kerry on 0818 07 7860, they will be happy to assist and make an appointment if necessary.
The offices are staffed from Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. Alternatively you can email on tralee@citinfo.ie or log on to www.citizensinformation.ie for further information.
Our movie guy, James Finnegan says there are new and old festive delights on TV between Saturday and St Stephen’s Day…
There are so many wonderful film delights on offer over the extended Christmas weekend, and here are a few special favourites for your consideration
Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) is a voice actor who is separated from his wife and family.
Desperate to spend more time with his children, he invents and plays a very different character, Mrs Doubtfire(Saturday 3.25pm RTE1), a mature Scottish housekeeper, to get the job of looking after them.
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Also starring Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Robert Prosky and Harvey Fierstein and directed by Chris Columbus, this is understandably a traditional favourite.
A personal favourite of mine is Miracle on 34th Street (Christmas Eve 3.45pm RTE1) where a department store Santa has to prove he is actually the real thing staring Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins and Mara Wilson.
However, it would not be Christmas without a Bond film and No Time to Die(Christmas Eve 8pm RTE1) finds Jimbo in retirement until his old CIA friend Felix Leiter asks him for help. Bond then finds himself back on the trail of another world menacing megalomaniac with ties to his MI6 past.
Starring Daniel Craig, in his final outing as Bond, Rami Malek, Lea Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz and Lashana Lynch, we await 007’s return with interest and anticipation.
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If your Christmas Wish was for a selection box of Disney films on Christmas Day, you must have been very good indeed this year because there is a whole Magic Kingdom to select from on RTE1 all day.
May I especially recommend Mary Poppins Returns(Christmas Day 4pm RTE1) when the practically perfect in every way nanny returns in the guise of Emily Blunt, who is brilliant.
Also starring Ben Whishaw (again), Emily Mortimer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Julie Walters Colin Firth, Meryl Streep and Angela Lansbury, this is already a classic family film – and the songs are as heart touching as those from the original film.
Belfast(Christmas Day 9.35pm RTE1) is Kenneth Branagh’s semi autobiographical homage to his home town.
Set at the start of the troubles, and told through the eyes of nine year old Buddy (Jude Hill), this film stars Jamie Dornan, Caitrona Balfe, Judi Dench and Ciaran Hinde.
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It richly deserved all the accolades, awards and nominations it received and I highly recommend it.
Onto St. Stephens Day where, as is traditional, The Great Escape (3.20pm RTE2) takes place and Paddington 2(6.30 RTE1) proves again that Ben Whishaw, as the voice of Paddington, has a vast range of talents, along with Hugh Grant having the time of his life as the baddie.
Directed by Ridley Scott, House of Gucci(St Stephens Day 9.50 RTE1) is a film you will either love or hate, but I found it fascinating especially as I know very little about fashion or fashion houses.
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However, this internecine tale which stars Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Jeremy Irons, Saima Hayek, Al Pacino and the incredible Lady Gaga is just another story of the family have and have-nots. Enjoy!
Know Your Rights has been compiled by Kerry Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public…
Our movie guy, James Finnegan says there are new and old festive delights on TV between Saturday and St Stephen’s Day…
Desperate to spend more time with his children, he invents and plays a very different character, Mrs Doubtfire (Saturday 3.25pm RTE1), a mature Scottish housekeeper, to get the job of looking after them.
A personal favourite of mine is Miracle on 34th Street (Christmas Eve 3.45pm RTE1) where a department store Santa has to prove he is actually the real thing staring Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins and Mara Wilson.
Starring Daniel Craig, in his final outing as Bond, Rami Malek, Lea Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz and Lashana Lynch, we await 007’s return with interest and anticipation.
May I especially recommend Mary Poppins Returns (Christmas Day 4pm RTE1) when the practically perfect in every way nanny returns in the guise of Emily Blunt, who is brilliant.
Belfast (Christmas Day 9.35pm RTE1) is Kenneth Branagh’s semi autobiographical homage to his home town.
It richly deserved all the accolades, awards and nominations it received and I highly recommend it.