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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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Deenagh Lodge to host Alzheimer’s Memory Walk

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Killarney National Park will serve as the venue for this year’s Kerry Alzheimer’s Memory Walk on Sunday, September 20.

Participants will gather at the Deenagh Lodge ahead of an 11.00am start to complete a 5km scenic route through the park.

The event takes place on the eve of World Alzheimer’s Day as part of a nationwide series of walks supported by Aviva.


Now in its seventh year, the initiative raises vital funds for The Alzheimer Society of Ireland to support local dementia services, including daycare centres, family carer training, social clubs, dementia cafés, and the national helpline.

Last year, nearly 3,000 walkers across Ireland raised over €240,000 for the cause.


The Kerry walk will be led by local champions Kathriona Sheehan, Niamh Murphy, Lynda Phillips, and Melissa Molyneaux, who are walking in support of all those living with dementia.
“We are proud to lead our annual Alzheimer’s Memory Walk supported by Aviva to help fund local dementia services in Kerry,” they said. “The event is about community and helping spread awareness by walking together to raise vital funds for care, support, and hope for the days ahead. Join us in Killarney on Sunday, 20th September to show your support.”


With over 40 walks scheduled across Ireland, members of the public can walk in memory of a loved one or to show solidarity. Further details and registration are available at memorywalk.ie.

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Gary Moynihan wins racecourse style title

Style reigned supreme at Killarney Racecourse as local resident Gary Moynihan and Offaly’s Sylwia Novak captured the top honours at the Canella Lane Best Dressed Day. Moynihan, a local neuromuscular […]

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Style reigned supreme at Killarney Racecourse as local resident Gary Moynihan and Offaly’s Sylwia Novak captured the top honours at the Canella Lane Best Dressed Day.

Moynihan, a local neuromuscular therapist, claimed Best Dressed Gentleman in a made-to-measure six-button burgundy double-breasted suit with a navy check from Saville Menswear in Cork. He completed the winning look with a shirt and paisley tie from Simply Suits Killarney and brown derby shoes from Pavers at the Killarney Outlet Centre.
Best Dressed Lady was awarded to Novak, a hospital personal assistant from Tullamore, who wore a red polka-dot ensemble and custom hat designed by milliner Rita Daly, featuring sustainable jewellery made from recycled plastic.
Canella Lane owner Ciana Aspell praised the high standard of fashion on the day, while Killarney Racecourse Manager Karl McCay thanked the sponsors and racegoers for their support.
With the summer season now wrapped up, the team at Killarney Racecourse is gearing up for the October Festival on October 4 and 5, featuring its first-ever Student Raceday with SPIN South West on the Monday. Early ticket booking is advised.

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