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Online petition to highlight COVID-19 concerns launched by Killarney man

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PETITION: David Harte from Aghadoe working on his online petition at his Australian home.

By Sean Moriarty

An online petition seeking help for the Irish in Australia has been launched by an Aghadoe man this week.

David Harte, who now lives in Perth, is concerned that Irish people are being overlooked by both the Irish and Australian governments in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.

Many were unable to get home before governments started shutting borders and many more have lost their jobs.

Others have tried, unsuccessfully, to get a flight or have paid over the top prices only to find flights cancelled once they arrive at the airport.

Many are in Australia on one or two-year working holiday visas and not entitled to social welfare or other assistance there.

Such visa holders are only allowed access to Australia’s Accident and Emergency services but cannot get government-supported medical services (Medicare) or welfare payments.

Others, like David, are on what are known as bridging visas after he married his Australian wife two years ago.

“I am lucky, I have family support here but others are not in the same position,” he told the Killarney Advertiser.

“I work in construction and so far that is not shut down, but if it does I will have to rely on my wife’s income.”

Harte’s campaign has attracted the attention of Cllr Niall Kelleher, Mayor of Kerry, who has family living in Sydney, and MEP Sean Kelly.

“I am asking the Irish government not to forget us,” he said. “There are Irish associations, like the Claddagh Association in Perth, who can help and I hope the Irish government can release funds to these associations. It is going to get very serious, one estate agency in Sydney has already told all non-Australians who are renting property to get out as they won’t be able to pay the rent. I am aware of one Irish man who is diabetic and he cannot afford his medication as he is not working.”

He will send his online petition www.change.org: Irish Government Help The Irish In Australia – which has already been signed by 4,000 people - to the Irish government to highlight their plight.

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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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