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Students celebrate achievements at annual school awards

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Academic Excellence in Leaving Certificate at Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra’s school awards front from left: Miriam Dineen Maura O’Keeffe Siobhán Twomey Megan O’Donoghue Ellen O’Connor and Keri Ann Hanrahan. Back from left: Shane Ryan (special guest) Megan Kiely Michelle Cronin Neil O’Connor Katelyn O’Leary Denis Kerins (Principal) Tara O’Leary Joshua O’Sullivan Cathy Kiely. Missing from photo: Michael McSweeney Alice O’Leary and Mairead O’Mahony.

By Michelle Crean

Students as Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra (SPSL) have been awarded and celebrated for their achievements.

Shane Ryan pictured with Junior Sliabh Luachra Arts & Cultural Award winners Colleen Angland and Nóirín Healy at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

Senior Sliabh Luachra Arts & Cultural Award recipient was Grace Angland pictured with Shane Ryan at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

The Active Citizenship Award went to John Hughes who is pictured with with Shane Ryan and Denis Kerins (Principal) at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

Outstanding Sporting Excellence Representing the School was given to the U15 Boys Basketball Teams in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

Tara Buckley pictured with special guest Shane Ryan was named Transition Year Student of the Year at the annual school awards at Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

Niamh Collins was awarded Leaving Certificate Applied Student of the Year. She is pictured with Shane Ryan Susan Collins and Denis Kerins (Principal) at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

The Endeavour Award went to Keri Ann Hanrahan who is pictured with her parents Maria and Mike and special guest Shane Ryan at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

The Principal’s Award went to Joshua O’Sullivan who is pictured with Principal Denis Kerins and Shane Ryan at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

Anne Casey Joy Memorial Shield was awarded to Katie Rea pictured with Shane Ryan at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

Environmental Award - Andee Lenihan and Amy Donnelly with Shane Ryan at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

Exceptional Contribution in Team Activities Outside of School went to Orla Cronin and Tiarna Dineen (Camogie) Ella Guerin-Crowley and Joanne O’Keeffe (Rugby) and Jamie Daly (Rowing). They are pictured with Shane Ryan at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

Megan Kiely was named Leaving Cert Student of the Year at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra. She is pictured with Shane Ryan her mother Noreen and Principal Denis Kerins.

Academic Excellence in Leaving Cert Applied Award at Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra from left: Shane Ryan (Special Guest) with Kacper Mocarski Tara McLarnon Niamh Collins Shauna Heapes and Denis Kerins (Principal). Missing from photo is Danny Hickey.

The Paud O’Leary Memorial Shield went to the U14 Boys Basketball Team pictured with their coaches Jim Hughes John Hughes and Joan O’Mahony at Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

On Friday, October 28 there was an extra element of excitement in the air as special guest Shane Ryan had just be announced as a recipient of this year’s GAA All-Star Awards.

Shane, who was a student at the school, presented them with their awards for curricular and extra-curricular activities.

He gave generously of his time and wisdom before dashing off to Dublin for his own awards ceremony.

Shane, who won an All-Ireland medal with Kerry at senior level this year, had previously won a Minor title with the Kingdom in 2013, which was also the year he sat the Leaving Certificate in SPSL.

In his inspiring speech to students Shane reminded them about the importance of having a passion in life, to set goals for what they really want and then to put in the hard work that is needed to achieve success.

“Nothing in life worth having comes easily,” he said, “go out and earn what is yours.”

He also had a message about the importance of building relationships.

“From First to Sixth Year in school you are sharing an important journey with great people and the people around you in school contribute hugely to who you become.”

Acknowledging the variety of awards being presented, Shane reminded the students about the range of skills and competencies that can be gained from getting involved in non-academic activities including resilience, teamwork, commitment, leadership and the appetite to succeed in the areas and interests which energise them.

He also emphasised the importance of enjoying the journey rather than being totally focused on the destination as well the significance of treating people well.

“People will remember you not always for what you have achieved but for how you made them feel,” he said.

Miriam O'Regan did a great job as MC to ensure the event ran smoothly and on time and Principal, Denis Kerins, thanked all of the staff involved behind the scenes to organise such an uplifting school event to celebrate the hard work and achievements of so many students in the school.

Recipients of awards were:

Active Citizenship Award - John Hughes

Exceptional Contribution in Team Activities Outside of School - Orla Cronin and Tiarna Dineen, Ella Guerin-
Crowley, Joanne O’Keeffe and Jamie Daly

Exceptional Excellence in Individual Activities Outside of School - Kate Murphy

Spirit of the School Community Award - Jade Fitzgerald

Environmental Award - Amy Donnelly and Andee Lenihan

Endeavour Award - Keri Ann Hanrahan

Junior Sliabh Luachra Arts & Cultural Award - Colleen Angland and Nóirín Healy

Senior Sliabh Luachra Arts & Cultural Award - Grace Angland

Outstanding Sporting Excellence Representing the School - U14 and U15 Boys Basketball Teams

Paud O’Leary Memorial Shield - U14 Boys Basketball Team

Anne Casey Joy Memorial Shield - Katie Rea

Principal’s Award - Joshua O’Sullivan

Transition Year Student Tara Buckley

Academic Excellence in Leaving Cert Applied - Niamh Collins, Tara McLarnon, Danny Hickey, Shauna Heapes and Kacper Mocarski

Leaving Certificate Applied Student of the Year - Niamh Collins

Academic Excellence in Leaving Certificate - Michelle Cronin, Miriam Dineen, Keri Ann Hanrahan, Cathy Kiely, Michael McSweeney, Ellen O’Connor, Neil O’Connor, Megan O’Donoghue, Maura O’Keeffe, Alice O’Leary, Katelyn O’Leary, Tara O’Leary, Mairead O’Mahony, Joshua O’Sullivan and Siobhán Twomey.

Leaving Certificate Student of the Year - Megan Kiely.

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Tributes to Paudie O’Callaghan of the Fáilte Hotel

The town of Killarney and the wider Kerry community have been mourning the loss of Paudie O’Callaghan, who passed away peacefully over the weekend after a long illness. Paudie, pre-deceased by […]

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16 October 2025

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The town of Killarney and the wider Kerry community have been mourning the loss of Paudie O’Callaghan, who passed away peacefully over the weekend after a long illness.

Paudie, pre-deceased by his father Dermot and his brothers Donal and Dermot, was deeply loved by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Valerie, his daughter Megan, granddaughter Rubie, his mother Eileen, his brothers Michael, Colm, and Niall, sisters-in-law Noreen, Eliza, Carol, and Kathy, and extended family, including nieces, nephews, brothers- and sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours, and friends.
Paudie was widely recognised as a true gentleman and a cornerstone of Killarney’s business and social life. Minister Michael Healy-Rae TD paid personal tribute, saying: “This week brought very sad news with the passing of my great friend, Paudie O’Callaghan. Paudie was one of life’s true gentlemen, full of life, laughter, loyalty, and heart. He was a man who’d do anything for a friend, and I was blessed to count him as my very best. Even in difficult days, Paudie’s strength and spirit never left him.”
Minister Healy-Rae recalled meeting Paudie every Saturday in Killarney, walking the town together, meeting people, and enjoying the simple but meaningful moments that defined their friendship. He also noted the pride Paudie had in becoming a grandfather, a joy that brightened his final weeks.
The Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce also paid tribute to Paudie’s contribution to the town. A statement from the Chamber said: “Paudie O’Callaghan played a very active and progressive role in the business life of Killarney and was always willing to lend a hand and contribute positively to whatever projects the town was engaged with. He spearheaded the Killarney Vintners Association for many years and was a very able and influential representative for that sector. His enormous contribution to the sporting and social life of the town is already well documented, and he contributed hugely to the town he loved in so many ways.”
Paudie reposed at the Fáilte Hotel on Monday evening. The funeral cortège arrived at St Mary’s Cathedral,on Tuesday morning, followed by burial at Aghadoe Lawn Cemetery.
Tributes highlighted Paudie’s warmth, loyalty, and dedication to family, friends, and the Killarney community.
Minister Healy-Rae summed up the sentiment shared by many: “People come and go throughout our lives, but every so often, someone truly special comes along who makes life better just by being part of it. That was Paudie. I’ll miss him dearly.”

Photos by Eamoon Keogh

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Gamechanger for Killarney as €2.3m Pretty Polly funding confirmed

The confirmation that Kerry Education and Training Board (Kerry ETB) has been awarded €2.3 million in funding to purchase the former Pretty Polly site on Upper Park Road has been […]

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16 October 2025

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The confirmation that Kerry Education and Training Board (Kerry ETB) has been awarded €2.3 million in funding to purchase the former Pretty Polly site on Upper Park Road has been described as a gamechanger for the town.

The long-awaited development marks a major breakthrough for Killarney, with the site now set to be transformed into a Tourism and Hospitality Training College. T
he announcement was made by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD, who confirmed that the project will serve as a centre for skills development in hospitality and tourism.
MAJOR BOOST FOR KILLARNEY
Kerry TD Michael Cahill said the investment was “a gamechanger” for both Killarney and Kerry, describing it as a vital step that will cement the town’s position as Ireland’s tourism capital.
“This is immense news for the town,” said Deputy Cahill. “It will mark Killarney out officially as the tourism capital of Ireland by providing a Hospitality Sector Training College right in the heart of the county. I’ve been raising this issue repeatedly in the Dáil, and I am delighted to see it finally move forward.”
Deputy Cahill said the €2.375m allocation followed years of persistence and lobbying at Government level.
“The Pretty Polly site has been an issue for decades and this investment will be a gamechanger for the hospitality sector in Killarney and Kerry,” he said. “I am absolutely delighted to have played my part in getting this across the line.”
He also referred to the history of hospitality training in the town.
“Some will remember the CERT training centre at the Torc Great Southern Hotel back in the 1970s. It’s fitting that Killarney will once again be a training hub for hospitality professionals,” he said.
SUPPORT FROM MINISTER FOLEY
Minister for Children and Kerry TD Norma Foley also welcomed the announcement, describing it as a “transformative project” for education and tourism in the county.
“This is a transformative project for education in Kerry but also an acknowledgement of the excellence of Kerry in the delivery of hospitality,” said Minister Foley. “Having been involved in the development of this project from the beginning, this is an important next stage in the project for Killarney and County Kerry. I look forward to continuing to work to see the project through to fruition.”
The Pretty Polly site, which covers 3.2 hectares, has been vacant for many years. Under the plan, Kerry ETB will purchase the site from Kerry County Council and submit a business case for a state-of-the-art training campus focused on hospitality skills and education.
CHAMBER WELCOME
The Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce also welcomed the news, describing it as “a major step forward” for the town and its key industries.
“This project will transform a long-vacant site into an active training hub that will strengthen both the local economy and workforce,” the Chamber said in a statement. “It’s a positive development that will benefit Killarney and the wider Kerry region for many years to come.”

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