News
Ukrainian children learn the ropes!
More than 15 Ukrainian children from the Innisfallen Hotel have joined the local Killarney Scout Group.
Natalya Krasnenkova
SKILLS: Sean Sweeney the Killarney Scout Group leader showing some the Ukrainian children scouting skills.
SCOUTS: Over 15 Ukrainian children from the Innisfallen Hotel have joined the local Killarney Scout Group.
Natalya Krasnenkova
SKILLS: Sean Sweeney the Killarney Scout Group leader showing some the Ukrainian children scouting skills.
SCOUTS: Over 15 Ukrainian children from the Innisfallen Hotel have joined the local Killarney Scout Group.
Every Wednesday, Ukrainian children walk to the nearest school in Fossa to spend time with Scouts. The children say that they really like to put up tents, make wooden furniture from boards, and learn to knit knots from ropes. Very soon the children will go to camp with local Scouts. The Killarney Advertiser asked Sean Sweeney, the Killarney Scout Group leader, about working with Ukrainian children.
Why did the scouts from Fossa invite Ukrainian children to join the movement?
The Fossa group were beginning to make plans to have the Ukrainian children join when Killarney Scout Group said they had arranged an evening's activities at the hotel. We discussed it among the leaders in both groups and felt it would be easier for them to access scouting in Fossa as they could walk to and from meetings. So after a nice evening's activities we registered the Ukrainian children interested in scouting with the group. The ethos of the group is inclusion and an opportunity for all children to enjoy the activities scouting has to offer regardless of background. We also felt that as part of our Scout law a Scout is helpful and considerate of others and that it was important that we be as helpful as possible to the Ukrainian families who have come to live in our parish.
What are your first impressions of communicating with children from Ukraine?
No matter where in the world they come from children are children and are always quick to learn and are able to adapt to situations. While there is a language barrier there to be overcome it should not prevent a young person getting involved and having fun. The Ukrainian children were quick to get involved and like our own Scouts they are enthusiastic and appear to be enjoying what they are learning so far.
How do you overcome language barriers?
When we need to teach some technical items like pitching tents or building tables we find the scouting resources online and using an online translator we create a Ukrainian version of the resources. For other things we use hand signals and it is amazing how much a frown or smile can communicate. Some of the young people have enough English to be of help to us also in overcoming the language barrier. When working with young people, a little patience and some good humour go a long way.
What are the plans for spring and summer for Scouts and how Ukrainian children will be integrated into them?
In May we will have our county Scout camp locally. This is where Scouts from all over Kerry meet over a weekend to camp, learn skills and have fun together. We hope the Ukrainian children will participate as it is always a highlight of our scouting year. As the evenings get longer we will spend more time outdoors learning scouting skills and will have some day hikes and hope to have a group camp of our own in late June or early July.
Tell us about your movement: ideology, history of Fossa, how many local children join the Scout movement?
Fossa 8th Kerry was established in September 1982 with just a Scout section for boys aged 11-15. Two years later a Cub Scout section was founded and a year later a Venture Scout section was added. Finally in 2018 Beaver Scouts were started in the group. Since the pandemic we have reopened our Scout and Venture Scout sections but are currently looking for volunteers to help us reopen the younger sections in September. Anyone interested in helping us please feel free to contact us at fossascouts@gmail.com.
Over its history we have had many generous people give of their time as leaders in the group to ensure that we kept going and kept providing the fun of scouting to about 3,000 young people and counting. Fossa 8th Kerry is part of the national association called Scouting Ireland. Scouting Ireland's goal is to encourage the social, physical, intellectual, character, emotional and spiritual development of young people so that they may achieve their full potential and, as responsible citizens, to improve society. As part of Scouting Ireland we have taken part in Provincial, National and International camps and have enjoyed the company of many international Scouts over the years.
Milltown history republished for 40th anniversary
The first publication to explore the history of Milltown is being republished to mark the 40th anniversary of its author’s passing.
“Milltown: Memories of Other Days” was originally written and published by local historian, auctioneer, librarian, and photographer Denis ‘Denny’ Sugrue, who died in 1986. Having been out of print for many years, the book is being brought back to life by the Milltown History and Heritage Society.
The updated and expanded 132-page edition will be launched at the old Milltown Community Hall on Saturday, August 22, at 8.00pm to coincide with National Heritage Week.
Edited by Dr John Knightly and Dr Owen O’Shea, the 40th-anniversary volume features the original text alongside new and colourised photos from Sugrue’s vast personal archive. It also includes a foreword from Sugrue’s daughter Maria and grandson Paul, as well as a curated selection of his “Milltown Notes,” a weekly column he penned for The Kerryman newspaper for nearly four decades.
“Denis Sugrue was a pioneering author and historian who had the foresight to commit much of the rich history of Milltown to paper in the 1980s,” said co-editor Owen O’Shea. “It is a unique and remarkable social history of a Kerry village in the early and middle twentieth century which we are so pleased to bring to a new audience.”
O’Shea added that the launch event will feature a display of Sugrue’s newspaper notes alongside an evening of local music, song, and storytelling to celebrate his legacy.
Supported by Kerry County Council under the Community Support Fund 2026, the launch event is open to all, with copies of the book available for purchase on the night. For further information, email milltownhistoryheritage@gmail.com.
Resident raises concerns over loss of evening hobby courses
A concerned local resident has voiced frustration over the apparent decline of evening leisure and hobby classes in Killarney during the autumn and winter months, calling for action to bring accessible adult learning back to the town.
The resident, who moved to Killarney decades ago, recalled years spent admiring advertisements for evening courses in gardening, beekeeping, DIY, sewing, Spanish, Pilates, and yoga. After waiting until work and family commitments eased to finally take up a local class, they discovered a distinct lack of local options available last year.
“I eyed the list enviously thinking that someday I’d have the time to attend these classes, to learn a few things and to meet other people with similar interests,” the resident wrote. “I could see that these hobby and leisure classes were reasonably priced and available in a central part of Killarney in an establishment that was accessible to people with disabilities. Hence, they were affordable, accessible, and ideal for anyone, irrespective of age or financial circumstances.”
The resident noted that while neighbouring towns across Kerry continue to host regular evening enrolments, Killarney locals are increasingly forced to travel elsewhere. A friend of the resident was recently obliged to commute weekly to another Kerry town simply to attend a basic DIY course.
The letter highlights the wider social benefits of adult education, pointing out that local classes play a vital role in tackling loneliness and fostering community connections.
“Killarney is a town with a can-do attitude, so these things should be possible,” the resident added. “We are constantly hearing that connection is an essential part of health and wellbeing, yet so many people are being excluded due to a lack of availability and affordability. We are frequently told about the benefits of lifelong learning, and for many people, that can be something light, fun, and most importantly, local.”
Running a class in Killarney? Let us know!
Are you hosting or planning an autumn or winter night class in the Killarney area? Whether it is art, languages, fitness, crafts, or practical skills, the Killarney Advertiser wants to help connect you with local residents who are eager to learn and meet new people.
Send details of your upcoming evening course, workshop, or hobby group to info@killarneyadvertiser.ie so we can help spread the word across the community.
Volunteer and community events will be promoted free of charge and the promotion of commercial events will command a fee.
Milltown history republished for 40th anniversary
Milltown history republished for 40th anniversary The first publication to explore the history of Milltown is being republished to mark...
Resident raises concerns over loss of evening hobby courses
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