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“The main challenge will be social distancing”

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By Michelle Crean

Two new classrooms are due to be opened for the new school term - but school principal of Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra in Rathmore this week told the Killarney Advertiser that social distancing will be one of the main challenges when students return.

Principal Denis Kerins explained that the full effect of changes won't be fully understood until the 390 students and 30 staff return as they have never experienced anything on this scale before.

Hand sanitisers will greet the students at the entrance into the school building and will have to be used when changing classes. Students will also be kept to certain areas to minimise the movement within the building but subjects like PE and practical classes such as construction, metal work, Home Ec and some Science classes will need changes, he explained.

"The main aim will be to keep it [COVID] out of the building and the country," Denis told the Killarney Advertiser.

"We'll follow the recommendations but the first thing is to get the school open. Face masks aren't really being recommended for schools but the one metre rule is recommended between desks. It's a totally new thing we're dealing with, we have no experience to go on. There could be a breakout at anytime but we have to learn to get on with it."

He said some schools will have to stagger bringing in students for the first time but that it's something the Rathmore school has been doing for years.

"We've always done that. In our particular case we're due to open two new rooms so we're in a good position and will have a bit more space than normal."

However, he said some classes are quite big and as timetables are already completed some changes will have to be made.

"Practical subjects will involve a lot of hygiene as there's a lot of utensils being used but we won't know until we start."

And as students will have been out of school for six months since the sudden lockdown in March he said that staff will be very mindful of the impact of COVID and will take steps to address any concerns students or parents may have.

"Some might have have anxiety, that will be identified and taken seriously."

And he added that for students entering an exam year hopefully the Department of Education will make adjustments for the time lost.

"It's going to be very uncertain year ahead, it's new territory."

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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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