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No drama until go ahead from Government

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By Michelle Crean

A well-known local performing arts teacher - who says there's no clear guidance or roadmap for reopening in line with other businesses and industries - is to join a national day of action on Monday.

Lily MacMonagle, who runs The MACademy, a musical community for children, will be one of many, including her own dance, singing and drama teachers, from the sector to protest outside Cork Opera House at 11am.

The event 'Curtain Up' is organised by Performing Arts Educators of Ireland (PAEI) and a second event takes place in Dublin at the same time, as they say they are fed up the the Government's inaction in relation to the resumption of indoor dance, drama, and music classes under safe protocols.

She says that come next month the sector will have been closed for 18 months at a personal cost to businesses up and down the country.

Lily, who ran a number of outdoor summer camps, says the indoor closure has had a huge impact on children and young adults in their Arts training, resulting in a detrimental effect on their mental health, confidence, and social skills.

"In the last 17 months we've not been given a date or any guidance for operating indoors," Lily told the Killarney Advertiser.

She said that the Performing Arts sector has been largely ignored in published guidelines, financial supports and roadmaps for reopening. "We are calling on the government to listen to us, acknowledge our sector and engage with us to allow our students return to classes.

"I ran summer camps outdoors, and the amount of stress I had checking the weather everyday wondering if I have to cancel. I bought all of our own covers, I'd say I spent €600 on them. We're left in the dark."

Professionals in the industry such as Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Killian Donnelly, Kerry man Tom Vaughan Lawlor, Rebecca Storm, Charlene McKenna, Aoibhinn McGinnity, and Norma Sheahan have already lent their support to the campaign with video clips and sound bites, with other celebrities coming on board daily, she added, saying the importance of this campaign should not be underestimated.

She added that a lot of industries have been allowed resume under safe protocols and that they can too.

"We managed the summer camps, we can manage indoors in a safe manner."

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Fossa/Two Mile Comhaltas plans two St Patrick’s Céilithe

Members of the Fossa Two Mile Comhaltas recently gathered at the Fossa Community Centre to mark a significant milestone for their branch while giving back to the community. Catherine Joy, […]

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Members of the Fossa Two Mile Comhaltas recently gathered at the Fossa Community Centre to mark a significant milestone for their branch while giving back to the community.

Catherine Joy, Tim Kissane, and Therese Kissane were proud to present a cheque for €3,234.00 to Catherine Foley, who accepted the donation on behalf of Children’s Hospital Crumlin and Ronald McDonald House Charities. The funds were the result of a series of successful events held throughout the past year to celebrate the branch’s 20th anniversary.
The journey to this donation began in September 2025 with a special 20-Year Reunion Celebration that brought members past and present together to reflect on two decades of music and culture. This was followed by a vibrant Céilí in December 2025, which was organised with the help of the branch’s dedicated set dancing teacher, Catherine Joy. The combined proceeds from these celebrations highlight the incredible generosity and spirit of the local Fossa community and the ongoing support for the branch’s work.
The celebrations are far from over as the group looks toward a busy spring season. Fans of traditional music and dance can look forward to the Annual Rambling House, which is set to take place on March 14 at the Castlerosse Park Hotel. Shortly after, the group will return to the Fossa Community Centre for another Céilí on Sunday, March 22. These upcoming events offer another chance for the community to come together in celebration of Irish heritage and the branch’s continued success.

Photo Caption: Catherine Joy, Tim and Therese Kissane presenting €3,234 to Catherine Foley on behalf of Fossa Two Mile Comhaltas. Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin.

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10-minute plays will linger in the memory

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The West End House School of Arts is delighted to take part in this year’s St Patrick’s Day Festival with a special evening of entertaining readings on Friday, March 13 at 7.30pm.

It promises to be a vibrant showcase of five original 10-minute plays written by emerging local playwrights, each of whom has recently completed a playwriting course with Fiona Doyle (pictured).


Diverse in style and subject matter, these beautifully crafted pieces promise an evening of laughter, tears, and powerful storytelling and each reading will be performed by West End House actors from Kerry.


Together, they highlight the remarkable talent of these up-and-coming writers and actors, who are the future of theatre in our community.

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