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Health service to “ramp up” testing with 32 sites in the coming days

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By Michelle Crean

The latest HSE briefing of COVID-19 this afternoon (Tuesday) revealed that 32 test centres are to be introduced around the country in the coming days.

Currently community testing centres are being prepared as well as Defence Forces naval ships to accommodate the huge demand in testing.

They said that the HSE’s procurement department has secured a lot more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the coming weeks for GPs who have been experiencing delays.

At present there are 500 ICU beds, 500 existing ventilators, with a further 1000 for respiratory support.

They confirmed that they have secured a further 300 ventilators, with a further 100 per week to be delivered in the coming weeks as they’re finalising contracts with two key vendors.

However, they also added that they could potentially run out of swabbing equipment by Thursday, depending on demand - but should be OK as a delivery is due that day.

The current waiting time for COVID-19 testing is several days due to “pent up demand” but they are asking people to be patient.

They said that tests should only be carried out when clinically needed.

There’s also been a huge surge in calls over the weekend clogging up the 999/112 service, which is a “real concern”.

Over the weekend the contact centre, which normally handles 500 calls a day, received 124,000 calls.

The advice is not to ring 999 or 112 - as they won’t be able to deploy a resource without having been referred through a GP or medic.

And although they have “ramped up” the call centre capacity the advice is to contact your GP in the first instance.

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New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

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A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.

Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.

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