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‘Connected’ students leading an awareness campaign around issues of Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia

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By Michelle Crean

 

Eight Transition Year students from Killarney called ‘The Connected Four’ are leading an awareness campaign around the issues of Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia.

As part of their Young Social Innovators (YSI) project, the students from Killarney Community College want to highlight the lack of education around these conditions saying there isn't enough accessible resources and supporting communities.

The Connected Four, who are Luke O’Sullivan, Rachel Griffin, Lulu Healy, Amy O’Donoghue, Eva Ryan Lynch, Keelyn O’Leary, Lauren Fleming and Jack O’Connell, believe that change is needed not just because there isn’t enough information on the conditions, but because there’s so much stigma.

“The reason why we chose this issue is, we all know someone, either family or friend who has been diagnosed with one or more of these conditions," Luke O’Sullivan said.

"As for most of the members in our YSI group, they have recognised the flaws in our society. Whereas, from the inside looking out, I can confirm experience of misunderstanding and the overall lack of education in our community.”

MAKING AN IMPRESSION

On Wednesday, Luke, Rachel and Eva, were the only school in Kerry, and just one of 10 projects in Munster, to take part at the YSI ‘Dragon’s Den’ via Zoom where they wowed the judges.

Paul Kelly from Unilever, Tim Butler from Virgin Media and Mary Roche from Tusla were impressed with the pitch and presentation which included an idea of creating a children's book of stories, aimed at Junior Infants to Second Class, around the four conditions with the theme of diversity.

The students received a cheque for €500 from the dragons to invest in their project. They have also been offered mentoring from Paul Kelly, Marketing Developer of Unilever, to guide them in the right direction with their book.

“The passion, the knowledge, the energy that the students showed on the day left the dragons ‘gobsmacked’! I am so proud of each and every one of these students and the initiative they show, even throughout lockdown, is an inspiration to all,” Lorraine Crowley, YSI Guide from KCC said

The group have very active social media accounts and a new YouTube channel is also being set up by the group to voice people's experiences and knowledge from interviews they are currently doing remotely online.

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Joey Sheehan wins historic sixth Dr Crokes Captain’s Prize

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Accomplished golfer Joey Sheehan scooped the Dr Crokes GAA Club Golf Society Captain’s Prize for the sixth time following the outing at The Killeen Course at Killarney Golf Club on Friday.

Society Captain Niall Botty O’Callaghan and his mother Eileen O’Callaghan hosted the prizegiving function in The Failte Hotel, where Joey was presented with a painting of the fourth hole at Killeen by local artist and Dr Crokes member Paul Downey.


Joey Sheehan won his first Dr Crokes Captain’s prize back in 1997, which was the start of an historic four-in-a-row.

He collected his fifth Captain’s prize in 2006 before adding his sixth with the 2026 title last Friday.

Over the years, he has also won two Dr Crokes Presidents prizes, numerous other society outings, and the Eddie Barry Memorial Cup three times as player of the year.


The prize giving function in The Failte featured speeches from society officer Brendan Keogh, Captain Niall Botty O’Callaghan, and overall winner Joey Sheehan.

During the speeches, a number of recently deceased local people and others from recent years associated with the Dr Crokes Golf Society were remembered.

Among those fondly remembered were Brian O’Regan, John O’Mahony, Ewan MacIndoe, Gerry Collins, Paudie O’Callaghan, Malachy Walsh, and Seani McCarthy.


The Dr Crokes Captains Prize was once again sponsored by Mike Buckley of Kerry Coaches. Following overall winner Joey Sheehan, the full list of prize winners included John Lynch in second, Finian Moran in third, and Liam Hartnett in fourth. Sean Brosnan took fifth place, followed by Maurice O’Donoghue in sixth, John O’Leary in seventh, Paudie Sheahan in eighth, Colm Galvin in ninth, and Eamonn Fitzgerald in tenth.

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Discussion on Irish-American literary voices

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The second series of talks for the new ‘Summer in Killarney’ festival took place at Killarney House in Killarney National Park, focusing on the lives and work of literary figures F. Scott Fitzgerald and Mary Lavin.

The event, titled ‘The Great Irish-American Voices of F. Scott Fitzgerald & Mary Lavin’, featured presentations by authors Gráinne Hurley, writer of Gratefully and Affectionately: Mary Lavin and The New Yorker, and Killarney native Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, author of Gatsby: Death of an Irishman.

Following their presentations, both authors joined Irish Times journalist Ronan McGreevy for a panel conversation exploring the impact of both writers on American literature.

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