FAIRY MAGIC: Students from Killarney Community College Lulu Healy and Luke O'Sullivan pictured with one of the new fairy houses.

By Michelle Crean

Children from Killarney and beyond will be thrilled to discover a magical new fairy trail in Deenagh which has just been unveiled by local students.

Just in time for the midterm break Killarney Community College students launched the 'Deenagh Fairy Trail' with fairy houses designed and created by art and TY students under the watchful eye of art teacher Michelle Mahony and TY co-ordinator Kerri McCarthy.

"Each of the houses is themed on our built and natural heritage," Kerri McCarthy said.

"The students, with Ms Mahony had the idea to create houses for fairies linked to places and themed around Killarney. This idea makes the pieces unique and one of a kind. The ideas started in late 2019 but the project was brought to a halt for some time due to school closures. Ms Mahony was delighted that students got right on task when they started back in September to complete this exciting project."

The materials used for the fairy houses is kept as natural as possible with tree trunks being the main material of construction along with slate and other stones, glass, copper, ceramic and finished off with brightly coloured paints. Each piece has its own theme, she added.

There are seven houses in total and the list are as follows: The Deenagh Fairy, The Waterfall Fairy, The Castle Fairy, The Coppermines Fairy, The Abbey Fairy, The Bricin Dinis Fairy and finally The Fairy of the Forest.

"It has been another wonderful opportunity for the students of Killarney Community College and Ms Mahony to work with Killarney Looking Good to create pieces to enhance the local environment and create a little magic for young and old alike."

Yvonne Quill Chairperson of the Looking Good Committee congratulated the students on such fantastic pieces, each house unique in its own right and with a clear link to heritage and cultural assets.

"This is the second project the students have undertaken in conjunction with the committee and we look forward to working together again in the future. A word of thanks as well to James Purcell who made the signs for each house. We look forward to the children of Killarney getting such joy from the trail."

The project was supported by Kerry County Councils Community Enhancement Programme through the Department of Rural and Community Development.