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3,000 Team Hope boxes and counting

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By Michelle Crean

A whopping 3,000 boxes have been put together thanks to the generosity of the public which will ensure poor kids abroad will have a happy Christmas.

BOXING UP: Sheila Rice and Kathy Ivory pictured in the local Team Hope sorting centre with volunteers sorting boxes in the background. Photo: Michelle Crean

The call was put out, schools and community groups across Killarney and South Kerry banded together and when the truck arrives to pick up the boxes there'll be even more as collections will take place in six more schools next week.

Volunteers have been working tirelessly at the O'Connor Unit on the ground of St Finan's where inside there's hardly a corner which hasn't got a box ready to be transported.

Hours and hours of sorting has taken place with some volunteers giving up full days of their time to make sure the children will get a box filled with colourful items such as toys, clothing, toothbrushes and facecloths.

Sheila Rice, co-ordinator for the Team Hope Shoe Box Appeal, said a lot of work has been put in by everyone involved.

"We have over 3,000 boxes in the centre done with six more schools to do," Sheila told the Killarney Advertiser.

"We are delighted with the response this year. Thanks to all the volunteers who worked so diligently to finalise all these shoeboxes for the vulnerable children, the schools, teachers, pupils/students and parents who supported the charity so willingly. Also to the public who also participated with shoeboxes and filler items and businesses who supported us financially to enable us purchase the fillers the drop off centres."

The Civil Defence provided transport to the far away areas while the HSE facilitated the appeal by allowing use of the O’Connor Unit.

"Thanks to everybody who helped us in anyway."

The last date for handing in boxes to the centre is next Tuesday (November 29) in order to get them ready and shipped out in time to reach the children Christmas day.

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New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

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A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.

Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.

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