News
Spook-tacular short stories will give you a scare!
By Michelle Crean
Emerging young writers got a chance to dig deep into their imaginations to bring out their scariest stories as part of a local writing competition.
HALLOWE’EN COMP: Pictured at Killarney Community College receiving their prizes for the annual Hallowe’en Post Primary writing competition were winners from St Olivers National School. Front: Julia Brzozowska, Cora O’Sullivan and Jessica McCrohan. Back row: Louise O’Donoghue (Teacher St Oliver’s) KCC Principal Stella Loughnane, Dylan Tucker (Transition Year student KCC), Cian Tobin (Teacher St Oliver’s) and Tara O’Shea (English Teacher KCC). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
PRIZES: Pictured at Killarney Community College receiving their prizes for the annual Hallowe’en Post Primary writing competition were winners from neighbouring school The Mon. Front l-r were winners James Whelan, Oscar Gao and Denis Zidek. Back row l-r were: KCC Principal Stella Loughnane, Cillian Fitzgerald (Teacher Presentation Monastery), Mike Pfister (Transition Year student KCC), and Chloe Dennehy (English teacher). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
PRIZE-GIVING: Students and teachers from Killarney Community College, The Mon, Holy Cross Mercy and St Olivers National School, pictured at Killarney Community College for the prize-giving for the annual HalloweÕen Post Primary writing competition. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
HALLOWE’EN COMP: Pictured at Killarney Community College receiving their prizes for the annual Hallowe’en Post Primary writing competition were winners from St Olivers National School. Front: Julia Brzozowska, Cora O’Sullivan and Jessica McCrohan. Back row: Louise O’Donoghue (Teacher St Oliver’s) KCC Principal Stella Loughnane, Dylan Tucker (Transition Year student KCC), Cian Tobin (Teacher St Oliver’s) and Tara O’Shea (English Teacher KCC). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
PRIZES: Pictured at Killarney Community College receiving their prizes for the annual Hallowe’en Post Primary writing competition were winners from neighbouring school The Mon. Front l-r were winners James Whelan, Oscar Gao and Denis Zidek. Back row l-r were: KCC Principal Stella Loughnane, Cillian Fitzgerald (Teacher Presentation Monastery), Mike Pfister (Transition Year student KCC), and Chloe Dennehy (English teacher). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
PRIZE-GIVING: Students and teachers from Killarney Community College, The Mon, Holy Cross Mercy and St Olivers National School, pictured at Killarney Community College for the prize-giving for the annual HalloweÕen Post Primary writing competition. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Pupils from St Oliver’s, Holy Cross Mercy and Presentation Monastery schools showcased their creativity and writing skills as part of the Killarney Community College primary school writing competition.
This year’s pupils were invited to submit a short story with the theme of Hallowe'en and competition was very stiff with almost 300 entries.
Transition Year students in the college along with their English teachers Tara O’Shea and Chloe Dennehy ran the competition as part of their creative writing module in English.
"The college would like to take the time to thank all of the students who took the time and effort to submit an entry," English teacher, Tara O’Shea, said.
"Huge praise must go to their class teachers for their guidance and encouragement throughout the experience. Standards were exceptionally high," she said.
"The KCC English Department were in awe of their creativity, use of language and general expression to produce spooky short stories worthy of a read around any bonfire on Hallowe'en night.”
On presenting the awards, Principal Stella Loughnane commended all award recipients and the wonderful teamwork of the teachers and students in the community.
“We endeavour to improve literacy levels within our own school and it was great to create links with local primary schools to share a similar vision,” she said.
First prize was a €50 One4all Gift Card for each school while second and third place winners received a bag of Hallowe'en treats.
Congratulations to all award winners:
St Oliver’s
1st Cora O’Sullivan
2nd Jessica McCrohan
3rd Julia Brzozowska
Holy Cross Mercy
1st Michelle Malinowska
2nd Claire Lyne
3rd Liadh Counihan
Presentation Monastery
1st James Whelan
2nd Oscar Gao
3rd Denis Zidek
Local heritage remembered ahead of National Ploughing
/
Local agricultural history comes into focus this month as preparations conclude for the National Ploughing Championships, taking place from September 15 to 17.
Ahead of the national event, local resident Tony Wharton recalled the town’s long-standing connections to competitive ploughing, including the time the national event took place on local soil. During the 1960s, the grounds of the Cahernane Hotel hosted the National Ploughing Championships, drawing competitors and spectators from across the country to the venue on the edge of town.
The area also boasts a rich history of individual competitors. Pacella O’Donoghue, who competed in ploughing events in previous decades, originally hailed from Mill Road. She was a sister of Seamus O’Donoghue, founder of Killarney Oil.
The Wharton family maintains a strong link to the sport, with the Wharton brothers and Ryan Wharton continuing the local tradition of involvement in competitive agricultural events.
The National Ploughing Championships remain one of Ireland’s largest outdoor events, showcasing traditional and modern machinery alongside agricultural competitions.
Photo Caption
PLOUGHING HERITAGE: The Wharton family, including the Wharton brothers and Ryan Wharton, who are preserving local agricultural connections ahead of the National Ploughing Championships next week.
No culprit found in River Deenagh pollution investigation
An investigation into a suspected pollution event in the River Deenagh earlier this summer has concluded without identifying a specific culprit.
At Wednesday’s meeting of the Killarney Municipal District, Councillor John O’Donoghue requested an update on the inquiry following a water quality incident reported near Port Road on 10 July 2026, asking: “What have the enquiries found out and has a culprit been identified?”
In a formal response, Kerry County Council confirmed that staff from its Environment Department carried out follow-up surveys across multiple locations upstream, supported by personnel from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
Council officials stated: “Unfortunately, no direct source of the issue was identified. The issue appears to have been short-term in nature and passed through the system relatively quickly. Water samples were taken at time of the incident by NPWS and subsequently by KCC. The samples showed elevated concentrations for a number of parameters but did not provide any specific information as to a potential source.”
Local heritage remembered ahead of National Ploughing
Local heritage remembered ahead of National Ploughing /Local agricultural history comes into focus this month as preparations conclude for the...
No culprit found in River Deenagh pollution investigation
No culprit found in River Deenagh pollution investigation An investigation into a suspected pollution event in the River Deenagh earlier...
Pre-planning underway for starter homes
Pre-planning underway for starter homes Councillor Maura Healy-Rae raised the issue of affordable housing at Wednesday’s meeting of the Killarney...
Investigation probing early morning car fire
Investigation probing early morning car fire An investigation is under way following an early morning blaze that destroyed an electric...
Local effort brings historic manuscript back to Ireland
Local effort brings historic manuscript back to Ireland A dedicated effort led by three Killarney figures were responsible for securing...
Fossa Swimmers make a splash at County Finals
The Fossa Swim team pictured at the Tralee Sports Complex following their successful outing at the County Finals of the...
On the Ball Part 2 of the Mikey Daly Interview
Éamonn Fitzgerald EF: Killarney Celtic are invited to participate in an Irish competition. That has big financial implications for travel,...
LUKE MANGAN recently caught up with Kerry FC’s manager, Colin Healy.
He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager. Here’s how it went: When you began your...
Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic
Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1) Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell Saturday 7.30pm Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre...
Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan
After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork...
