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Stranded circus urgently needs power

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STRANDED: Stephen Courtney, his wife Teresa and baby Cora are unable to move from Fels Point in Tralee as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.

By Sean Moriarty

A circus that was due to perform in Killarney this week is stranded in Tralee as a result of COVID-19 restrictions and urgently needs diesel or electricity.

Circus Vegas, which is one of Ireland’s longest-running, is stranded in the Fels Point area of Tralee and is calling on the Council to allow it to connect to the local electricity mains or for locals to donate diesel so they can heat and light their caravans.

The touring circus, operated by the famous Courtney family, is one of three circus families in Ireland, and was due to perform in Killarney this week as part of the town’s St Patrick’s Day Festival. The Fossett and Duffy families each run a circus, while two different branches of the Courtney family run separate tours.

Circus Vegas was only able to perform on Tuesday and Wednesday last week before they were shut down. As a result, they have not earned a penny since last Wednesday night (March 11).

There are 29 people currently stuck in Tralee as they do not have enough diesel to move on.

Many of their performers are from Eastern Europe and cannot return home because of travel restrictions in their homelands. They cannot move from Tralee either as they have already siphoned diesel from their fleet of trucks to power generators to keep their caravans warm.

Management were able to secure Social Welfare payments for some of the staff so they have money for food. They were already in difficult times as they were unable to erect their Big Top during the many storms to hit Ireland in recent months and have only worked for a total of two weeks since Christmas.

They are looking for permission to connect to an ESB-owned power-point nearby but so far have failed to secure the required permits.

“We operate on a week-by-week basis,” Stephen Courtney told the Killarney Advertiser. “We are ok for food and water, we need diesel or if anyone knows someone high up in the Council or ESB, ask them if we can connect to the power box. We cannot do it without a permit and we are not going do anything illegal.”

Circus Vegas has been offered a field near Killarney by a local businessman but it is unable to move as trucks are currently without diesel. Even if they did move they are left with the same problem as any new location would require either a diesel or electricity supply.

“If I moved the whole lot I risk getting in trouble with the Gardai, they will be asking me why am I moving everything – it won’t look right,” added 48-year-old Mr Courtney who was born into Circus traditions. “We don’t get any money from the Government, we are not considered performing arts by the Arts Council. This could be the end of Circuses in Ireland.”

If anyone can help the circus, either in terms of diesel or securing the correct permits to connect to the mains box in Fels Point, Tralee should contact Stephen Courtney on 085 8637495.

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Killarney for Palestine raises €4,500 at ‘Taste of Palestine’ event

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The Killarney Palestinian and wider Arabic community gathered recently to celebrate the end of Ramadan with an Eid event that raised €4,500 for humanitarian aid.


Held at Noelle’s Cafe in Old Market Lane, the ‘Taste of Palestine’ afternoon saw crowds fill the lane in bright sunshine. Attendees were served a range of traditional Palestinian dishes, including falafel, musakhan rolls, maqluba, hummus, and chocolate-covered dates.
A spokesperson for Killarney for Palestine highlighted the cultural significance of the event, stating that food represents a centuries-old connection to the land, identity, and memory. They noted that it is vital to reclaim and preserve the true origins of these traditional dishes.
The organisers expressed their gratitude to Noelle Crosbie and Taher Ali of Noelle’s Cafe for hosting and facilitating the fundraiser.
The total of €4,500 raised will directly benefit six displaced families in the Gaza Strip currently supported by the group. The funds will also assist with the ongoing running costs of Killarney for Palestine as they continue to organise local community events.

Killarney for Palestine raises €4,500 at ‘Taste of Palestine’ event

The Killarney Palestinian and wider Arabic community gathered recently to celebrate the end of Ramadan with an Eid event that raised €4,500 for humanitarian aid.


Held at Noelle’s Cafe in Old Market Lane, the ‘Taste of Palestine’ afternoon saw crowds fill the lane in bright sunshine. Attendees were served a range of traditional Palestinian dishes, including falafel, musakhan rolls, maqluba, hummus, and chocolate-covered dates.
A spokesperson for Killarney for Palestine highlighted the cultural significance of the event, stating that food represents a centuries-old connection to the land, identity, and memory. They noted that it is vital to reclaim and preserve the true origins of these traditional dishes.
The organisers expressed their gratitude to Noelle Crosbie and Taher Ali of Noelle’s Cafe for hosting and facilitating the fundraiser.
The total of €4,500 raised will directly benefit six displaced families in the Gaza Strip currently supported by the group. The funds will also assist with the ongoing running costs of Killarney for Palestine as they continue to organise local community events.

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Former President Michael D Higgins to address INTO Congress

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Former President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, is scheduled to visit Killarney next week to address the 158th Annual Congress of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO).

The conference will take place at the Gleneagle Arena from Monday, April 6 to Wednesday, April 8.

The former President, whose second term in office concluded late last year, is set to address delegates on the final morning of the congress, Wednesday, at 10:45 am.

As the largest primary school teachers’ union in Ireland, the INTO expects a significant turnout for the three-day event.

This year’s agenda is dominated by several high-profile issues, including teachers’ pay, industrial relations, and school funding.

Delegates will also discuss teacher supply, special education supports, and the new primary school curriculum.

The congress officially opens at 2:00 pm on Monday with an address from INTO President Anne Horan.

On Tuesday morning at 9:00 am, the Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, is scheduled to speak, followed by a response from INTO General Secretary John Boyle.

The arrival of hundreds of delegates is expected to provide a significant boost to the local Killarney economy during the Easter period.

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