News
Valentina is teaching free English courses to retirees
Valentina Tupchiy is 63-years-old. She arrived in Killarney from Kyiv in late March. She retired in Kyiv a few years ago, but she also taught English to older Ukrainian on a volunteer basis.
Her course was called 'Learning English with Valentina Tupcha'.
“I continue to study the language myself, I am not a professional teacher. But I really want to share my knowledge with those who are just starting to learn English. For many adults, this is difficult, so when they see their peers as a mentor, they realise that they can learn a foreign language just like me,” she said.
Valentina adds that she is ready to become a volunteer and support Ukrainians with translation in the INTREO office, because most people, especially the elderly, do not have language skills.
At the same time, she continues to study on her own and walks three times a week from Fossa to Killarney to attend English language courses as a student. Valentina is constantly improving herself. She never stops.
In Kyiv, in her past life, Valentina was not only an English teacher. She trained and became a Nordic walking coach. Several times a week she gathered retirees for training. She is ready to continue training everyone and here in Killarney, she only needs special gear.
Before retiring, she worked all her life in banking and headed various financial institutions. She was the first person to launch Visa and Mastercard payment systems in Ukraine. She helped the National Bank of Ukraine develop all the necessary regulations for launching international payment systems.
"I know everything about bank cards and payment systems," she said.
Full of energy and love for life, in Ireland she overcomes new heights and challenges. Such as improving the Ukrainian language, the course of which she takes online, constant reading of books, studying English and the history of Ireland.
In addition to books, Valentina follows the latest news from Ukraine and Ireland, is aware of all developments and can keep the conversation going not only about the weather, but also about the results of the last elections in Northern Ireland.
"I find a lot in common in the history of Ireland and Ukraine: the annexation of territories, famine, the extermination of the national language - all this combines the centuries-old history of Ireland and Ukraine. I want the Irish and Ukrainians to know more about each other, so I am preparing information that I want to share with both communities. We are closer than we seem,” she added.
When asked how she saw life in Killarney she said she was inspired by the interactions and relationships between people in the local community.
“In big Kyiv, neighbours from an apartment building are often unfamiliar with each other. Instead, Killarney is a very close and warm community, where everyone knows each other and everyone is very open and friendly. Local people are always ready to help each other,” added Valentina.
Retailers and shop staff across Killarney joined forces this week as part of the nationwide ‘#CutPRSIKeepJobs’ campaign, calling on the Government to reduce employers’ PRSI contributions in Budget 2027 to protect local employment.
Organised by Retail Excellence Ireland (REI), the campaign saw shop owners and employees stand together to highlight the severe financial pressures facing town centre businesses.
The industry body is urging the Government to introduce an employer PRSI band of 8% on the first €36,000 of every wage, zero employer PRSI for workers under 25, and a review of the methodology used to calculate the living wage.
The push comes amid growing concern over rising operational expenses, with new figures showing a loss of 10,800 retail jobs nationally over the past year and a 35% surge in retail insolvencies in the first half of 2026 alone.
Jean McCabe, Chief Executive Officer of Retail Excellence Ireland, warned that mounting wage costs are placing unprecedented strain on independent traders across Kerry.
“The retail industry has been under the most intense pressure from a range of cost pressures in recent times – and wage costs are the primary issue,” Ms McCabe said. “The industry is now seeing a rapid increase in insolvencies because of these pressures, so Government must now act unless it wants to see more businesses fail. Retailers standing together today shows just how widely this is being felt, in towns right across the country.”
Ms McCabe added that incoming PRSI rate increases scheduled for October 1 will deliver another major blow to small and medium enterprises unless urgent intervention is taken in the upcoming budget.
“We’re asking every TD, in every constituency, to back this ask,” Ms McCabe added. “And we’re asking Tánaiste Simon Harris, as Minister for Finance, to introduce it directly in Budget 2027. It’s costed, it’s modest, and it keeps jobs in local communities.”
Retailers join national campaign to cut PRSI and safeguard local jobs
Retailers and shop staff across Killarney joined forces this week as part of the nationwide ‘#CutPRSIKeepJobs’ campaign, calling on the Government to reduce employers’ PRSI contributions in Budget 2027 to protect local employment.
Organised by Retail Excellence Ireland (REI), the campaign saw shop owners and employees stand together to highlight the severe financial pressures facing town centre businesses.
The industry body is urging the Government to introduce an employer PRSI band of 8% on the first €36,000 of every wage, zero employer PRSI for workers under 25, and a review of the methodology used to calculate the living wage.
The push comes amid growing concern over rising operational expenses, with new figures showing a loss of 10,800 retail jobs nationally over the past year and a 35% surge in retail insolvencies in the first half of 2026 alone.
Jean McCabe, Chief Executive Officer of Retail Excellence Ireland, warned that mounting wage costs are placing unprecedented strain on independent traders across Kerry.
“The retail industry has been under the most intense pressure from a range of cost pressures in recent times – and wage costs are the primary issue,” Ms McCabe said. “The industry is now seeing a rapid increase in insolvencies because of these pressures, so Government must now act unless it wants to see more businesses fail. Retailers standing together today shows just how widely this is being felt, in towns right across the country.”
Ms McCabe added that incoming PRSI rate increases scheduled for October 1 will deliver another major blow to small and medium enterprises unless urgent intervention is taken in the upcoming budget.
“We’re asking every TD, in every constituency, to back this ask,” Ms McCabe added. “And we’re asking Tánaiste Simon Harris, as Minister for Finance, to introduce it directly in Budget 2027. It’s costed, it’s modest, and it keeps jobs in local communities.”
Retailers and shop staff across Killarney joined forces this week as part of the nationwide ‘#CutPRSIKeepJobs’ campaign, calling on the Government to reduce employers’ PRSI contributions in Budget 2027 to protect local employment.
Organised by Retail Excellence Ireland (REI), the campaign saw shop owners and employees stand together to highlight the severe financial pressures facing town centre businesses.
The industry body is urging the Government to introduce an employer PRSI band of 8% on the first €36,000 of every wage, zero employer PRSI for workers under 25, and a review of the methodology used to calculate the living wage.
The push comes amid growing concern over rising operational expenses, with new figures showing a loss of 10,800 retail jobs nationally over the past year and a 35% surge in retail insolvencies in the first half of 2026 alone.
Jean McCabe, Chief Executive Officer of Retail Excellence Ireland, warned that mounting wage costs are placing unprecedented strain on independent traders across Kerry.
“The retail industry has been under the most intense pressure from a range of cost pressures in recent times – and wage costs are the primary issue,” Ms McCabe said. “The industry is now seeing a rapid increase in insolvencies because of these pressures, so Government must now act unless it wants to see more businesses fail. Retailers standing together today shows just how widely this is being felt, in towns right across the country.”
Ms McCabe added that incoming PRSI rate increases scheduled for October 1 will deliver another major blow to small and medium enterprises unless urgent intervention is taken in the upcoming budget.
“We’re asking every TD, in every constituency, to back this ask,” Ms McCabe added. “And we’re asking Tánaiste Simon Harris, as Minister for Finance, to introduce it directly in Budget 2027. It’s costed, it’s modest, and it keeps jobs in local communities.”
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