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Sem students have sights set on solar energy system

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SELF-SUSTAINABLE: Kacper Bogalecki with Gearoid McGorrin, Rian Gill, Ethan Slattery, James Smith, Navansh Johnson, Fionn McCloskey and Paul Foran implementing a more self-sustainable and climate friendly project in the Sem. Photo: Grigoriy Geniyevskiy

 

By Colm Looney

Innovative students have decided to up their game when it comes to self-sustainability in their secondary school to try to win a grant for solar panels to cut heating costs.

Students at St Brendan’s College have formed the ‘Self-Sustainable Sem’ committee and have entered into the national ‘Friends of the Earth Solar Schools’ competition which would allow them to access a grant that would cover 90 percent of the costs for solar panels for their school.

This journey began last year with the beginning of the ‘Fridays for Future’ strikes all across the country, when a select group of students decided something should be done on the school’s behalf.

“A group of students, myself included, got together with the supervision of Ms Sheehy and Ms Quirke for our first meeting,” Director of the Self-Sustainable Sem, Kacper Bogalecki, told the Killarney Advertiser. “We discussed what kind of action our school could get involved in. We started off with the ºC+ that we made out on the basketball court and worked our way along from there.”

They got involved with the RTE Youth Assembly on Climate Action and some of the students attended the event.

“Following this it was suggested to us that we attempt something for the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Award which occurred around November. We came together to seek out ways in which the school could become more self-sustainable.”

So far this year the school has implemented an outright ban on plastic bottles and has replaced all plastic consumables in the canteen with more renewable or recyclable options. After a meeting with Green Party member Dr Anne-Marie Fuller, the group learned of different ways to make the school more eco-friendly such as implementing a uniform renewal system and a TerraCycle scheme.

The lads recently posted a video on FOEIreland YouTube and members of the committee asked the people of Killarney for their assistance, to like their post and share it with each other and received an amazing response back.

“Our main goal is to reduce our carbon footprint and to hopefully assist our local community at the same time,” Kacper said. “We also aim to make the school more self-sustainable and climate friendly.”

 

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Killarney Community College presents Disney’s Aladdin

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Killarney Community College are proudly presenting Disney’s Aladdin this November.

A dazzling whole-school musical project filled with music, colour, and heart.

Over 30 students auditioned for the roles, with 11 performers cast as leads.

The students involved vary from 1st to 6th year and are supported by the school’s largest-ever chorus line, which features 35 students.

Rehearsals have taken place every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning, demonstrating remarkable commitment from students and staff alike.

All preparation occurred outside normal school hours.

The entire school community has come together to bring this production to life.

The Art Department is creating stunning Agrabah-inspired sets, while the Woodwork and Metalwork Departments are building the stage and backstage areas.

The Home Economics Department is designing vibrant costumes, and the Technology Department is producing dynamic backdrops and visuals.

Staff and students are supporting the show through lighting, sound, makeup, props, publicity, sponsorship, ticketing, social media, and local school outreach.

The creative team is comprised of choreographer Cassie Leen, choral and chorus directors Joanna Hughes and Sarah O’Sullivan and acting and stage directors Mike Lynch and Sasha Furlong.

Together, they’ve shaped an unforgettable performance that brings Disney’s Aladdin to life, a story of adventure, friendship, and discovering one’s true worth.

Audiences can expect a vibrant mix of comedy, emotion, and music, featuring beloved hits like Friend Like Me and A Whole New World.

The story follows Aladdin as he discovers the Genie’s lamp, seeks the love of Princess Jasmine, and outsmarts the evil Jafar in a thrilling journey that celebrates courage and kindness.

Performances will take place at 7:00 p.m. on November 4th, 5th, and 6th, 2025.

Tickets are priced at €15 for adults and €5 for children, available now from the school office.

Don’t miss this unforgettable production showcasing the energy, creativity, and community spirit of KCC.

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Six wins for Gleneagle at the 2025 Irish Hotel Awards

The team at Gleneagle is celebrating a proud moment after scooping six awards at last night’s Irish Hotel Awards, held at The Johnstown Estate in County Meath. The hotel was […]

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The team at Gleneagle is celebrating a proud moment after scooping six awards at last night’s Irish Hotel Awards, held at The Johnstown Estate in County Meath.

The hotel was named Overall Winner for Excellence in Customer Service, recognising Gleneagle’s continued focus on delivering an outstanding guest experience built on genuine care and professionalism.
There was further celebration as team members were recognised for their individual achievements. Adam Sikorski received Overall Kitchen Porter of the Year and Eilis Loughrey was named Overall Human Resources Manager of the Year. At the regional level, Trevor O’Keeffe was awarded Munster Chef of the Year, Noreen O’Gorman received Munster Accommodation Services Manager of the Year and Gleneagle’s self-catering apartments were named Munster Self-Catering Property of the Year.
Patrick O’Donoghue, CEO of Gleneagle Group, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our team. These awards represent dedication, teamwork and a shared commitment to making every customer’s experience a positive one. We have been welcoming guests for almost seventy years and while much has changed in that time, what matters most hasn’t – great people, genuine warmth and a welcome that keeps guests coming back.”
The Irish Hotel Awards celebrate excellence across Ireland’s hospitality industry, recognising the hotels and individuals who go above and beyond to deliver quality and care in every aspect of their work.

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