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Fantastic night of African Culture in KDYS
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Join the “Killarney African Youth Tribe” in KDYS this Culture Night for an evening of African music, dance and food.
For the last 6 months KDYS and the Irish Refugee Council have been supporting young people from direct provision to explore their connection to themselves using creative processes such as art, drama and dance, as well as their connection to Kerry- their new home.
On Culture Night (Friday, September 21) the group from the “Rooted” project, funded under the European Youth Initiative Fund, will showcase and share the project and the best of African Culture through dance, music, fun and food.
The event takes place between 6pm and 8pm in the KDYS European Youth Centre, Fairhill and is free to the public. Come along and experience the best of African culture on your doorstep!
Mr Tim O Donoghue, CEO said: “Giving young people a voice and the opportunity to make a positive contribution is what inclusion and integration is all about. Despite all the challenges facing young people today KDYS is committed to Building Futures for all young people and the communities where they live. This is a great example of what results from providing young people with the spaces, skills and opportunities to meet, be included, have a say in their community and create change- regardless of where their journey began.
"Understanding and experiencing different cultures and perspectives is really important in today’s world. Through our partnership with Irish refugee Council we are hoping to extend opportunities and programmes such as this to even more young people. We are also delighted to be welcoming our partners in the European Youth Forum and the UNHCR to the event. It’s a great example of what can be achieved through partnership”
KDYS has an exciting vision for young people in Kerry. A future where all young people can realise their potential, a future where all young people can learn the skills needed for their lives today, and to ensure a healthy and successful future.
The range of supports provided by KDYS to young people focus on helping young people with; active and healthy living, personal development, arts and creativity, eating well and nutrition, helping transition from primary to secondary school, mentoring, preparing for the workplace of tomorrow, team building and leadership, mental and spiritual wellbeing, being resilient and dealing with anxiety, digital and online safety, learning skills for future employment.
PHOTO: KDYS Building Futures initiatives support members like Nyasha Masukui, Precious Ndebell, Rufaro Chitseko, Rudo Chitseko, Priviledge Nkomo and Mongiwa KaQondindlela who are in direct provision. Pic: Sally MacMonagle.
Killarney hotels achieve top global rankings in Readers’ Choice Awards
Two leading Killarney hotels are celebrating major international accolades following the publication of the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
The Killarney Royal Townhouse was named the No. 2 Hotel in Ireland in the US edition of the global awards, securing top placement among the country’s finest properties based entirely on votes cast by international travellers.
Pat McGrath, General Manager of Killarney Royal Townhouse, expressed his pride in the achievement:
“We are absolutely delighted to be recognised as the No. 2 Hotel in Ireland in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. To receive this recognition directly from travellers makes it particularly special, and we are immensely proud of our team, whose genuine care, warm welcome and attention to detail shape the guest experience every day.”
Meanwhile, sister property The Killarney Park achieved a double success in this year’s voting, earning inclusion across both Atlantic editions of the prestigious travel guide. The family-owned venue was ranked No. 8 in the US Readers’ Choice Awards and No. 5 in the UK Readers’ Choice Awards.
The annual awards represent one of the travel industry’s longest-running honors, with almost 800,000 readers submitting votes to rate their favorite global travel experiences.
Marcus Treacy, Managing Director of The Killarney Park, welcomed the dual honors:
“Recognition such as this means a great deal to us because it comes directly from the people who have spent their time with us. As a family-owned hotel, knowing that what we have created here in Killarney continues to resonate with guests travelling from around the world is something we are enormously proud of.”
The strong showing by both local venues underlines Killarney’s standing as a world-class hospitality hub for international visitors.
Paralympic legend Jason Smyth visits St Brendan’s
World renowned Paralympian and world record holder Jason Smyth paid a visit to St Brendan’s College on Wednesday afternoon as part of a high profile visit to Killarney.
The six time Paralympic gold medallist spoke to second year students from St Brendan’s College, alongside students from neighbouring schools St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School and Killarney Community College.
The interactive talk and interview took place ahead of World Sight Day, with the legendary sprinter sharing his personal journey with Stargardt disease, a genetic eye condition that left him legally blind at eight years old.
The Derry native, who holds the world record as the fastest Paralympian on earth over 100 metres, offered inspiring insights into overcoming physical adversity and achieving success at the highest level of world sport.
The school visit formed the opening leg of his Killarney schedule before he took centre stage later on Wednesday evening at The Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa.
Smyth headlined An Evening with Paralympian Jason Smyth, an event organised by the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce as part of its winter schedule, sponsored by AIB.
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