Killarney Pickleball Club began a free four-week beginners course for people aged over 60 on Thursday May 7.

The initiative saw significant interest, with the program becoming oversubscribed well before the official start date.

During the sessions, attendees are coached by senior club members in the fundamental basics of the sport.

While some participants have backgrounds in tennis or badminton, many are trying a racket sport for the first time.

Club Secretary Michael Lyne noted that participants were playing competitive games within a short space of time.

The course will continue for the remaining Thursdays in May at the Killarney Leisure Centre.

It is hoped that upon completion of the four-week program, the new players will join the club’s regular morning sessions, which take place every Wednesday at 10:00 am.

Two works by Ukrainian photo-artist Olga Derevyanko have been selected for the Photo London 2026 international fair.

The pieces, titled ‘Two Worlds’ and ‘Ether’, were captured at Poulgorm Beach in County Kerry and are part of her ongoing project, ‘Healing Land’.

Olga arrived in Killarney in September 2022 with her son after being displaced by the war in Ukraine. Since moving to the area, she has used the local landscape as a source of inspiration and recovery.

“I am deeply in love with the nature of Kerry: the vast beaches where water, earth, and air merge; the lush green-brown blankets covering the mountains; and the lakes that act as giant mirrors for the clouds,” Olga said. “Like me, many women displaced by war find a way to process trauma and heal through this landscape. Each woman’s story is unique, yet they are united by a shared paradox—they are simultaneously vulnerable and incredibly resilient.”

Her project, ‘Healing Land. Voices’, explores how women navigate displacement through the natural environment. Olga is currently developing this work into a book and an exhibition.

“Nature teaches us acceptance,” she said. “It shows us that the world is imperfect and unpredictable, but even within that ‘glorious uncertainty,’ there is profound beauty.”

Photo London follows Olga’s previous exhibitions in Paris, Glasgow, Belfast, Galway, and Tralee. Locally, she is a regular volunteer for the Killarney Parkrun and NEWKD.

Her work went be on display at the National Hall, Olympia, London this week.

Following the London event, Olga will present ‘Two Worlds’ at the upcoming ‘The Wild Within’ exhibition at Siamsa Tíre.

She will also take part in an artist talk there on June 6 as part of the New Wave Wild Project. More information can be found at www.olgaderevyanko.com.