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Killarney teen has eyes on X Factor prize

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By Michelle Crean

 

A young local musician, who has been playing around the town in recent months, has his eyes firmly set on the X Factor prize after auditioning for the hit ITV show.

18 year-old Donal Lucey from Muckross Road, who was inspired to go for a career in music after attending an Ed Sheeran concert when he was 14, is now waiting to hear if he has made it to one of the world’s most popular TV shows to audition live in front of music mogul Simon Cowell.

The talented youngster, who is son of Danny and Joan and brother to Anne and well-known local singer Tom Lucey, was encouraged to audition in Cork recently by Lisa Curran, his music teacher at Voiceworks Studio in Killarney.

And the singer/songwriter, who is currently studying for his Leaving Cert in St Brendan’s College, even plans to release his own music next summer.

“I just went for it,” Donal told the Killarney Advertiser.

“I did three songs with an influence of hip hop and acoustic, ‘Take it Back’ by Ed Sheeran, Passenger’s ‘Let Her Go’, and my own song ‘What Is It About You’. They were interested and seemed to like them, but I won’t know if I have made it further until July.”

Donal is becoming well-known around Killarney town as a regular busker. He has also played in The Shire, McSorleys, K Town and Corkerys, but is currently taking a break until after his final exams are complete.

“I hope to go to the Cork School of Music which is run by CIT – music is really what I want to do. I also hope to release my own songs on iTunes next summer. If I can play a gig and see someone smiling – that’s what it’s all about,” he said.

Check out Donal’s music @donalluceymusic on Facebook, Instagram and Soundcloud.

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Spa GAA and Kerry Parents & Friends secure energy grant funding

Spa GAA and the Kerry Parents & Friends Association are among the Kerry organisations to benefit from the SE Systems Community Fund Programme 2025. Both groups have been announced as […]

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Spa GAA and the Kerry Parents & Friends Association are among the Kerry organisations to benefit from the SE Systems Community Fund Programme 2025.

Both groups have been announced as successful applicants for the national energy grant funding scheme, which supports community and sports organisations in delivering sustainable, energy-efficient projects that help reduce running costs.
The fund, launched in 2022, provides financial assistance, technical resources, and expert guidance to not-for-profit organisations working to improve energy efficiency and sustainability.
For Spa GAA, the funding will go towards a full insulation retrofit of the club’s Sports Hall and Clubhouse, as well as upgrading existing floodlights to new energy-efficient LED fittings. The project follows the installation of a Solar PV system earlier this year, continuing the club’s move toward greater energy conservation.
Speaking at the official funding announcement in Cork, James Cahill of Spa GAA thanked SE Systems “for supporting the power of sport and recreation to bring people together, promote healthy lifestyles and build connections in the community.”
Spa GAA has also been selected as one of three clubs nationally to feature in SE Systems’ print media campaign promoting the Community Fund.

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All eyes down as St Oliver’s hosts bumper bingo fundraiser

It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night. The event, which is being held […]

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It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night.

The event, which is being held to raise additional funds for the school’s Special Classes, will take place in the Killarney Racecourse in the Celtic Steps venue.

According to Colm Ó Súilleabháin, Principal of St Oliver’s, the idea for the fundraiser was the brainchild of Denise Hendey, a parent of one of the children in the Special Classes who approached the school wanting to assist with raising much-needed funds for the classes. “She has been utterly amazing with the amount of work and organisation she has put into this event, sourcing an incredible number of fantastic prizes for the raffle and spot prizes for the bingo winners” he said.
Continuing he said “We are so appreciative of the incredible support we have received from all the businesses who have sponsored some amazing prizes and made very generous donations in support of the event.”

St. Oliver’s has eight separate Special Classes, home to 62 children. All monies raised on the night will go towards purchasing additional resources for the classes.

The event will commence at 7pm with doors opening at 6pm. So be sure to come along to what is promised to be a fun-filled night with numerous opportunities to win some amazing prizes and hopefully if there is a ‘knock on the door’ or a ‘bang on the drum’ it will be on your bingo card!

Bingo books (€10) and raffle tickets (€5) are available to buy from the school office and will be available on the night. All welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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