News
End of an era as last two nuns leave Presentation Convent
This week marks the end of an era as the last two remaining Sisters have departed the Presentation Convent in Killarney for the last time.
For nearly 230 years, since the first two Sisters arrived in 1793 to establish a convent and school, the Presentation Sisters have played an important role, educating, and supporting those in need in Killarney.
It was the first community of Presentation Sisters outside of the founding community in Cork, and their mission was to expand and continue the work of their founder Nano Nagle, which was to provide education to Catholic children, which was forbidden at the time by the Penal Laws.
In 1800 a primary school was established, and by 1826 over 350 pupils were enrolled.
In 1875 the current Presentation Convent was built.
The three-storey building includes a six-bay double height Gothic Revival style chapel and is of significant historical importance and is a listed building, with many of the original features of the building both internally and externally still intact and protected.
In 1948 a secondary school was founded, with the current St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School building commencing construction two years later. This building is still in use with a further extension added to the school in 1984.
While there is sadness with the Sisters departing, it also heralds an exciting time for St Brigid’s as land which was part of the Convent grounds, has been gifted for a proposed new school, as the demand for places has outgrown its current accommodation.
It is hoped that this generous gift will ensure that the legacy of Nano Nagle and the Presentation ethos will live on into the future in Killarney and beyond.
As the focus now is on the development of this new school, there are no immediate plans for the future of the Convent building and the remaining grounds.
Local hospitality nominated for Good Food Ireland awards
Several Killarney hotels and restaurants have been shortlisted for the Good Food Ireland 20th Anniversary Awards 2026.
The annual awards recognise businesses that feature Irish food and drink as part of their visitor service.
In the luxury accommodation categories, Muckross Park Hotel and The Europe Hotel and Resort have both received nominations for 5 Star Irish Hospitality Experience of the Year and Hotel Restaurant Experience of the Year.
In the town centre, The Mad Monk has been shortlisted for Best Irish Seafood Experience.
The Brehon Hotel has been named a finalist in the Wild Atlantic Way category.
And the Kerry Creamery Experience has also been nominated for the Irish Culinary Tourism Innovation Award for its work showcasing local dairy heritage.
The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at the InterContinental Dublin on Monday, November 16
Holy Cross Mercy announces return of Memory Tree initiative
Holy Cross Mercy National School has announced details for its 2026 Killarney Memory Tree, the annual Christmas fundraising hosted at the New Road school.
The initiative offers local residents the opportunity to purchase lights on the tree to commemorate loved ones over the festive season.
The official switch-on ceremony takes place at the school on Wednesday, December 9 at 7pm. Fr Seán Murphy will lead prayers, accompanied by festive carols by candlelight.
A special mass for all those commemorated on the tree will be celebrated in St Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday, December 17 at 1pm. The service will be open to the public and streamed online via the Killarney Parish website.
The Memory Tree will remain lit each evening until January 6, the feast of the Epiphany.
Lights can be purchased directly from the pupils, staff, or the school office at Holy Cross Mercy National School on New Road, with all proceeds going towards school development.
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