Council Supports ‘Think Before You Flush’ Campaign At Kerry Beaches

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Patrick Cross (Think Before You Flush Campaign Officer), Liam Brosnan (Kerry County Council) and Mary Hussey (Uisce Éireann) at the 2024 Blue Flag Beach Awards in Galway. Photog: Aengus McMahon

THE Think Before You Flush campaign, in collaboration with Kerry County Council and the Blue Flag programme returns this year with the combined goal of educating beach goers around what should and should not be flushed down public toilets when visiting the coast during the summer months.

2024 sees the continuation of this landmark collaboration which began in 2023 and the goal remains the same; keeping Irelands beautiful Blue Flag beaches and marinas clean and tidy and protecting our spectacular marine habitats from sewage based pollution.

The “Think Before You Flush” campaign, operated by Clean Coasts in partnership with Uisce Éireann, emphasises the importance of appropriate flushing behaviour and disposal of items including wipes and other sanitary products, even if they are labelled as flushable.

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Only the 3 Ps: pee, poo and paper should be flushed down the toilet, everything else should go in the bin.

When items such as wipes and sanitary products are flushed down the toilet, they can cause serious blockages in waste water systems, causing sewage overflows which can pollute our rivers, lakes, beaches and coastlines.

Kerry County Council has united in their commitment to spread awareness about the campaign and promote responsible waste disposal practices.

Under this collaborative effort, participating Authorities will display Think Before You Flush signage on Blue Flag Beaches and marinas, offering clear instructions on appropriate flushing behaviour, highlighting the main items people incorrectly flush down their toilets (the ‘Dirty Dozen’) and encouraging visitors to use designated sanitary waste bins.

Bronagh Moore, Coastal Communities Manager at Clean Coasts, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaborative efforts and support of the campaign: ‘It’s fantastic to see Kerry County Council supporting the Think Before You Flush campaign. This collaboration between councils and environmental programmes is crucial in safeguarding our Blue Flag Beaches. Their efforts and ongoing commitment to protecting our coastlines will help ensure vibrant ecosystems for future generations to enjoy.’

Learn more about the Think Before You Flush campaign at https://thinkbeforeyouflush.org/

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Volunteers Erect Fencing To Celebrate World Sand Dune Day In Banna

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Volunteers erecting chestnut fencing along the dunes in Banna.

A SMALL but brilliant group of volunteers from Banna Coastcare gathered on Monday evening to erect chestnut fencing along the dunes and celebrate World Sand Dune Day.

Dunes play a huge role in coastal protection and for some communities they are the first line of defence against coastal flooding and high winds.

These fragile landforms are also an important habitat for many animals, birds, insects and plants such as marram grass, sea holly, orchids and many more.

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“It’s vital we all please respect the signs and steer clear from these delicate areas that are trying to regenerate,” said Rachel Geary of Banna Coastcare.

“Massive thanks to everyone that joined us, we couldn’t have done it without your help   Huge thanks to Brid Colhoun of the National Parks and Wildlife Service for supplying the chestnut fencing and to Clean Coasts for awarding us grants to purchase the signs, posts etc.” added Rachel.

Volunteers erecting chestnut fencing along the dunes in Banna.
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Kerry ETB Calls On Government To Tackle Inequalities In Education Sector

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Photographed at the launch of ETBI’s #SupportYourLocalETB campaign at Buswells Hotel, Dublin were Colm McEvoy, Chief Executive Kerry ETB; Senator Mark Daly and Lisa O’Flaherty Public Relations and Events Management, Kerry ETB.

KERRY Education and Training Board (ETB) is calling on the Government to commit to tackling inequalities in the education sector by supporting the priorities laid out in the #SupportYourLocalETB campaign.

Representatives from Kerry ETB met with members of the Oireachtas at a briefing event in Buswells Hotel, Dublin, last week where they expressed their concerns.

The event marked the official launch of the #SupportYourLocalETB campaign and was organised byEducation and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), the representative body of 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) nationwide.

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The four priorities outlined in the #SupportYourLocalETB campaign that ETBI and its members are calling for government support on include:

• Increase the number and profile of Community National Schools nationwide;

• Increase in the Deputy Principal allocation in ETB post-primary schools with DEIS designation;

• Increase in funding for Further Education and Training (FET) so that funds reflect the proportion of learners, and ring-fence €600m in funding for the FET Colleges of the Future project, due to commence in 2028;

• Restore funding for youth work to pre-austerity levels and ensure pay parity for youth workers.

Launching the campaign at Buswells Hotel, last week, ETBI General Secretary Paddy Lavelle told invited TDs: “The 16 ETBs across Ireland provide education and training opportunities for over 450,000 people. We do this through running primary and post-primary schools, and providing Further Education and Training opportunities, including apprenticeships. We are also heavily involved in youth work.”

“Kerry ETB and all ETBs nationwide offer excellent, equality-based, inclusive educational opportunities to learners of all ages. We are proud to support Ireland’s diverse population of learners – and have a proven track record of doing so. We are delighted to launch our #SupportYourLocalETB campaign and our political priorities for the coming year. We are calling on the Government to commit to supporting our work.

“TDs can also raise these issues at local and national levels of Government, and ensure these priorities are included in their party’s manifesto for the next General Election”, Mr Lavelle said.

ETBI’s priorities for the next year are available to read here: https://we.tl/t-H9JS5oMXiJ

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PREVIEW: Kerry FC To Make Long Trip To Donegal For Finn Harps Clash

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By Ivan Hurley

The Kingdom make the 828km round trip to Ballybofey in County Donegal tomorrow (Thursday) to take on Finn Harps on Matchday 23 of the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division season.

It will just be the second time Kerry FC will play a league match on a Thursday night, given the start of the Euro 2024 Quarter Finals, all SSE Airtricity League of Ireland matches this week are once again pushed forward to the Thursday night slot.

So a near midweek jaunt to the North West will be no easy feat for Conor McCarthy’s side. As the calendars flick to July and no sign of improved weather conditions, a tricky night is once again in store for this young Kerry side.

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Casting our minds back to Matchday 6 and the last trip to Ballybofey. A cold night in March was met with downpours of rain in Donegal, but Kerry’s resilience shone through on the night, leaving Finn Park with a well-earned point and clean sheet after a somewhat uninspiring 0-0 draw.

But that didn’t dampen the spirits of the Kerry supporters who made the trip North, who knew a point on the road here is well earned.

In the reverse fixture in Mounthawk Park just a few weeks ago, it was a Kerry performance to remember as goals from the in-form Ryan Kelliher and former Harps man Daniel Okwute meant the Kerry supporters had entered uncharted waters, back-to-back home wins for the Kingdom for the very first time and it must be said, a win in convincing circumstances for Kerry FC.

A point last time out has Kerry on 19 points for the season and 5 clear of basement side Longford Town. Although the playoff places do seem out of reach, Kerry do sit just 12 points behind tonight’s opponents Finn Harps who are 5th and in the final play-off spot at this juncture.

But it’s Kerry’s form on the road that needs improving as the season ticks into the final countdown phase. No win away from home and just 4 points on the road compared to the 15 in Mounthawk Park will need to change in the coming weeks if Kerry are to climb up the table.

The form table suggests Kerry are in 5th at the moment with 2 wins, 2 losses and a draw in the last five games. A side coming into a bit of form. But with just one home game in the next 6 matches, the away form needs to improve to keep some pressure on those ahead of the Kingdom on the table.

Two of Kerry FC’s main men in 2024 played for the Donegal side in 2023. Winger Daniel Okwute played for Harps on loan from Stockport County for the opening months of last season and even faced his home town club Kerry twice while playing for Finn Harps before he secured a move home in July last year.

Kerry’s shot-stopper Antonio Tuta also played for Finn Harps last term. The Croatian made the move to Ireland in August and produced some fine saves to deny Kerry a point on our last trip to Ballybofey.

Tuta signed for Kerry in the winter transfer window and quickly became the Kingdom’s number 1 between the sticks.

Thankfully, no fresh injury concerns have been reported by the management team ahead of this one. Valerii Dolia picked up another foot injury in the warm-up against Longford Town a couple of weeks ago and remains unavailable.

Croatian keeper Antonio Tuta has returned from a family wedding at home and is in contention. Kevin Williams is suspended for this one after receiving two yellows against Wexford FC last Friday night

“I’ve said it to the boys during the week, we tend to play well in Ballybofey but it’s still a tricky one when you go up there,” said James Sugrue.

“I’ve played there a few times myself, it’s a very hostile, tough place to go and pick up points. So when you get up there, they are going to be aggressive, it’s always going to be tough. But we are going up there to get the whole 3 points. If we can pick up where we left off from on Friday night and go there with that confidence and belief, I think we have a good chance up there”.

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