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Glorious weather for Kerry County Coastal Rowing championships

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4 years ago

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John Fleming and Tadgh Kelly getting Flesk Valley RC crew ready at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein Killarney National Park hosted by Flesk Rowing Club Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

It was a day of glorious sunshine yesterday (Sunday) as Flesk Valley Rowing Club hosted the 2022 Kerry County Coastal Rowing championships for the very first time in beautiful Castlelough Bay on Lough Lein.

PUSHING THE BOAT OUT: Colm Ó' Súilleabháin Flesk Valley Rowing Club helping out at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Flesk Valley Rowing Club Killarney competing at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

STARTERS ORDERS: Under starters orders at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein Killarney National Park hosted by Flesk Rowing Club Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

READY: Mary B Teahan calling boats and crews to their lines at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein Killarney National Park Hosted by Flesk Rowing Club Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Denis O'Donoghue Templemore RC with his crew at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

ON THE WATER: Rounding the bouy at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Action at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein Hosted by Flesk Rowing Club Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

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LUNCH: Gillian O'Neill and Donal Kelly Flesk Valley RC after delivering lunch to safety crews at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein Killarney National Park hosted by Flesk Rowing Club Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Kieran Counihan calling the strokes for Workmen's Rowing Club Killarney competing at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Fossa Rowing Club competing at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

COMPETING: Blathnáid O'Connell Flesk Valley Rowing Club competing in the U12 race hosted by Flesk Rowing Club Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

PUSHING THE BOAT OUT: Colm Ó Súilleabháin Flesk Valley Rowing Club helping out at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Tadgh Kelly and Gillian O'Neill organising members of the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein Killarney National Park hosted by Flesk Rowing Club Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Seamie Morrissey getting ready for his daughter Siún's race in the U12 Girls at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Templenoe Rowing Club ready for action at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

SAFETY FIRST: Timmy Counihan guarding the shores at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

HEAVE: Sive Rowing Club Cahersiveen in action at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

U12s at the start line at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta hosted by Flesk Rowing Club on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

PUPPY LOVE: William Wharton and Mia McCormack taking great care of their friends puppy at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein hosted by Flesk Rowing Club Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

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Hundreds flocked to the Valley shore to see the coastal clubs of Kerry race in crews from Under 12 to Masters. As well as clubs from around the Ring of Kerry, there was a strong representation from the Killarney clubs with the Workmen, Commercials and Fossa wearing their colours with pride. The atmosphere, colour, fun and fierce competition produced a spectacular day that will live long in the memory.

The event was opened by the Councillor John O’Donoghue, vice chair of the Killarney Municipal District who congratulated Flesk Valley on their centenary, which occurred during 1920, and wished all of the clubs a successful day’s racing.

The first race was preceded by a special blessing of the boats by Fr Eugene McGillycuddy, who also remembered Brendan Teahan of Cromane Rowing Club in his prayers.

Afterwards John Fleming, chair of Flesk Valley, expressed his immense pride and satisfaction with the success of the regatta.

“It’s our first time ever hosting a regatta, but we wanted to do something special to mark our 102 years in existence," he said.

"It was a lot of work, but we have a fantastic hard-working committee in Flesk Valley who really pulled out all the stops to make it happen, and we received fantastic support from our members, parents, other clubs and local businesses."

John also thanked the Kerry Coastal Rowing Association, in particular Mary B Teahan and Andrew Wharton, and the staff of the Killarney National Park for all their support and encouragement in hosting this event.

This was a qualifying event and the Kerry clubs will be heading to Wexford next weekend to complete for honours at the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships.

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Applications open for 2026 Liebherr Scholarship Programme

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18 hours ago

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8 April 2026

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Liebherr Container Cranes has officially launched its 2026 Scholarship Programme, marking the eighth year of the initiative aimed at developing local talent in engineering, IT, and automation.

The programme is designed to support high-performing students by providing fully funded university education combined with practical, real-world experience. Successful applicants receive full tuition coverage alongside structured work placements and internships at Liebherr’s Killarney facility.

The scholarship is open to students enrolled in or applying for degrees in mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering, as well as mechatronics, automation, business information systems, computer science, software development, and data analytics. Upon completion of their studies, scholars have the opportunity to transition into full-time roles within the company.


“Our scholarship programme reflects a long-term commitment to building capability from the ground up,” said Charlie McCarthy, Managing Director – Engineering at Liebherr Container Cranes. “It allows students to immerse themselves in real engineering and digitalisation projects from an early stage, gaining practical insight alongside their academic studies.”


How to Apply Interested candidates must apply by email to scholarshiprecruit.lcc@liebherr.com.

Applications should include a CV detailing school or college projects and results, and a cover letter explaining the choice of career path.

Leaving Certificate applicants should also include a copy of their completed CAO form showing their chosen engineering or computer science course.


The closing date for applications is 31st May 2026.

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St Brendan’s College awarded national LGBTQ+ Quality Mark

Published

18 hours ago

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8 April 2026

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St Brendan’s College awarded national LGBTQ+ Quality Mark


St Brendan’s College, Killarney has been officially recognised for its commitment to inclusion after receiving the Belong To LGBTQ+ Quality Mark at a national ceremony in Dublin.


The Killarney school was among a group of 39 post-primary schools and Youthreach centres from across Ireland honoured at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire for their work in creating safe and welcoming environments for LGBTQ+ young people.
The accreditation follows an intensive 18-month programme of evidence-based interventions designed to strengthen student wellbeing. During this period, the “Sem” implemented robust anti-bullying policies, established student-led ‘LGBTQ+ and Allies’ clubs, and engaged in direct outreach to parents to foster a culture of belonging within the wider school community.
Principal of St Brendan’s College, Mr Séan Coffey, welcomed the achievement as a significant milestone for the school. “We are delighted to accept our LGBTQ+ Quality Mark on behalf of the whole school community. We take pride in helping our students grow not only in knowledge and skill, but in character and compassion,” Mr Coffey said.
“Embracing diversity and nurturing inclusion strengthens our school community, enriches school life, and prepares our young people to lead in the modern world. Our achievement is the beginning of a renewed commitment to continuing to build a school culture where difference is celebrated, inclusion is lived, and every student knows they belong. The Sem strengthens its position as a forward-looking school grounded in respect, empathy, and community, a place where tradition and progress work hand in hand. Together we are one.”
The ceremony marked one of the first major engagements for the new CEO of Belong To, Kieran O’Donovan. He noted that while a 2022 survey showed 76% of LGBTQ+ youth still do not feel safe at school, the accredited institutions are taking meaningful action to change those statistics.
“Staff and students have shown real dedication to building environments where every young person feels safe, valued, and able to be themselves. These schools and centres are leading the way,” Mr O’Donovan commented.
The LGBTQ+ Quality Mark is the first national accreditation of its kind in Ireland. Following the success of this year’s programme, which represented over 22,000 students nationwide, applications for the 2026/2027 academic year are now open to schools and Youthreach centres via www.belongto.org.

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