Killarney Camera Club has launched its new season with a packed schedule of meetings, workshops, competitions and outings.

The club, which welcomes photographers of all levels, meets every second Thursday at 7.30pm in the Anam Arts Centre.

The first competition of the season took place recently, and congratulations go to Ann Kelly, who took first place in both the Novice and Unrestricted categories with her striking photograph “Batik Lesson.”

The image captures two women in Vietnam demonstrating the traditional batik-making process, where molten wax is used to create patterns on fabric before dyeing.

Ann explained that the photo was taken in Cat Cat village, Sapa, Vietnam. “The older woman is wearing the traditional dress of the Black H’mong people, which she made herself from flax grown locally,” Ann said. “She’s showing the process of dyeing fabric using wax, a skill passed down through generations.”

The judges praised Ann’s image for its strong composition, warm tones, and cultural detail.

Anyone interested in photography is invited to come along or visit the club’s website at killarneycameraclub.ie for more details.

The long-awaited Teen Hangout Area for Killarney looks set to be developed on Park Road, with the proposed location identified as the layby across from the entrance to the Ardshanavooly estate, the Killarney Advertiser understands.

The project, which received €50,000 in funding earlier this year, is being advanced by Kerry County Council and will now go through a Part 8 public planning consultation before it can be approved by the elected councillors of the Killarney Municipal District.

The proposed site will feature an outdoor shelter, seating area, Bluetooth speakers, outdoor exercise units, bike racks, and a secure outdoor locker.

The design will also include wheelchair-accessible facilities to ensure it can be enjoyed by all young people.

Mayor Cllr Martin Grady welcomed the progress, saying it was “certainly not before time,” adding that Killarney has long lacked suitable youth amenities and spaces for both young people and community groups.