PHOTOS: ‘Great Places, Great Spaces Wellbeing Map’ For Children Launched In Tralee

The ‘Great Places, Great Spaces’ project by CYPSC Kerry, which celebrates the outdoors and maps free natural spaces for children and families in Kerry, was launched in Tralee Library on Monday morning. Pictured front from left were: Terry O’Sullivan (Director of Tralee Education Support Centre), Anne Culloty (HSE Health Promotion), Claire O’Toole (CYPSC Co-ordinator Tusla) and Eileen Davitt (NEPS). Back l-r were: Aileen Kelleher (Kerry County Childcare Committee), Caroline Flahive (Head of Counselling MTU Kerry), Breda Lynch (Area Manager Tusla), Daniel O’Shea (KETB), Lauren Murphy (Primary Care Physiotherapist), and Kayleigh Power (Project Support CYPSC). Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography

A KERRY Wellbeing Map detailing the favourite outdoorsy locations of hundreds of primary school children has been launched in Tralee.

The ‘Great Places, Great Spaces (GPGS) Wellbeing Map’ is an initiative for children, young people and families.

It was a team effort involving 570 Kerry children from 23 primary schools, who came together to create the GPGS Wellbeing Map as part of a Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) initiative encouraging people of all ages to get outdoors and explore all that Kerry has to offer.

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The project was launched to a 70-strong crowd at Tralee Library. It was developed in Wexford in 2020 and replicated in Kerry in 2026. The wellbeing map recognises the positive impact that being active in the great outdoors has on our mental, physical health and wellbeing.

The ‘Great Places, Great Spaces’ project by CYPSC Kerry was launched in Tralee Library on Monday morning. Pictured were: Lilí Harty, Renier De Swardt, Ava Duffin, Layla Foran, Yomna Anas, and Jessica O’Sullivan from Scoil Eoin, Balloonagh, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography

Each child drew a picture of a place in Kerry, and they told the project leaders why the location they chose was special to them and how it made them feel.

Among the locations highlighted are Staigue Fort on the Iveragh Peninsula, Ross Castle in Killarney, the Tralee to Fenit Greenway and Ballybunion Cliff Walk.

The GPGS Wellbeing Map uses the children’s pictures to signposts cost-neutral and free outdoor places which enhance health and wellbeing.

The project was overseen by the Kerry CYPSC Child and Youth Mental Health Working Group (in association with Tusla – Child and Family Agency).

Staff members Claire Reen (SNA), Danny Murphy (Teacher) and Muireann McCoy (Teacher) and pupils from St John’s Parochial School Tralee enjoyed attending the launch of the ‘Great Places, Great Spaces’ project by CYPSC Kerry, in Tralee Library on Monday morning. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography

The Kerry CYPSC Coordinator served as the Project Manager, working collaboratively with HSE Health Promotion, the Kerry National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), Tralee Teachers’ Education Centre, Healthy Ireland Kerry and Tralee Library Services.

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Opening the event, Tusla Kerry, North Cork Area Manager, Breda Lynch said: “The aim of the Great Places Great Spaces Wellbeing project is deceptively simple; it is to encourage children and families to enjoy the beautiful free outdoor places and spaces we have in abundance in Kerry, whether those places are on our doorsteps or in areas of the county we haven’t explored yet.”

“The beauty of the project and the wonderful map is that almost 600 children from across the county told us in both pictures and words what places are special to them and how being able to enjoy the great outdoors makes them feel happy, energetic, calm, adventurous or close to nature. Their sense of pride in their county was evident from all the entries we received and has resulted in a resource that can be used by children of all ages from the county but also visitors to Kerry, young and old alike!”

Pupils from Scoil Eoin, Balloonagh, Tralee, Ava Duffin, Nelson He and Íde Healy, who took part in the ‘Great Places, Great Spaces’ project by CYPSC Kerry, launched in Tralee Library on Monday morning. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography

Ms Lynch acknowledged the work of Anne Culloty, HSE Health Promotion & Wellbeing, Eileen Devitt, NEPS and Claire O’Toole, Kerry CYPSC Coordinator in making the initiative happen.

Ms O’Toole said: “It is about sharing good ideas and information to inspire and encourage children, young people and families to enjoy activities and fun outside in the fresh air.”

The GSGP Wellbeing Map was printed and circulated to all 23 participating primary schools. It was also made available through all Kerry Libraries, Kerry Family Resource Centres, Tusla Kerry offices and Tourist Offices and is available to all schools via Tralee Teachers Education Centre.

The GSGP Wellbeing Map is available online via https://kerrychildrensservices.com/greatplaces/ Scroll down for photos…