Connect with us

News

Air Ambulance service gets vital short-term funding lifeline 

Published

on

B

By Sean Moriarty

The Irish Community Rapid Response (ICRR), which operates the volunteer air ambulance service based in Millstreet, has avoided being grounded for the time being.

Last week, the Killarney Advertiser reported that the service faced an uncertain future as ICRR no longer had enough funds to pay bills like fuel and pilots wages.

The local air ambulance service has been in operation since last July and has flown on over 350 missions.

It faced grounding on Friday last unless urgent funds were found, and despite cross-party lobbying the Government did not support the service.

All seemed lost until the helicopter’s provider Sloane Helicopters and its leasing partner, Milestone Aviation, offered a six-week break in leasing payments.

“I want to say a big thank you to Sloane helicopters for supporting the Irish people in these dark times, allowing the air ambulance, in the short term, to go on saving lives,” John Finnegan, volunteer chairperson of ICRR, said.

“It was apparent this week even with all the political support that was provided by a number of cross-party politicians that were lobbied by concerned members of the public, no interim financial support is going to come from the Government.”
The lifeline has given the Air Ambulance vital chance of survival but Mr Finnegan is calling on Irish-based multinational companies to help offset some of the costs.

He cited UK based fuel supplier BP’s support of similar Air Ambulance Services in England and Wales.

“BP has come in to sponsor the helicopter fuel for the air ambulance services [over there],” he added, “We need a number of companies based in Ireland to please step up and be brand partners with us so we can continue the delivery of this life-saving service.”

Anyone who is in a position to help is urged to contact ICRR on 021 4190 999 as soon as possible.

Advertisement

News

New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

News

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Published

on

By

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.

Attachments

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport