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OsKaR night a huge success as students reach for the stars!

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3 years ago

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Lorraine Breen Majella Breen and Mary O'Sullivan pictured at Saint Francis Special School ‘A Night at the OsKaRs’ in the INEC. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

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At the Saint Francis Special School ‘A Night at the OsKaRs’ in the INEC were Fiona Carroll and her son Dan. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

BIG NIGHT: Aisling Foley Agatha O'Sullivan Elaine Kelliher and Fidelma Cremin pictured at the Saint Francis Special School ‘A Night at the OsKaRs’ in the INEC. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Over 2000 guests attended Saint Francis Special School ‘A Night at the OsKaRs’ presented by the staff and children in association with Kevin Rowe Events and the INEC Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

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Trophies to be won at Saint Francis Special School ‘A Night at the OsKaRs’ presented by the staff and children in association with Kevin Rowe Events and the INEC Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

At the Saint Francis Special School ‘A Night at the OsKaRs’ from left: Geraldine McMahon Jane MacMonagle and Pauline Cronin. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

At the Saint Francis Special School ‘A Night at the OsKaRs’ in the INEC from left: Laura Dwyer and Geraldine Harrington. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

All the glitz and glamour at Saint Francis Special School ‘A Night at the OsKaRs’ presented by the staff and children in association with Kevin Rowe Events and the INEC Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Garda Mary Gardiner and broadcaster Pat Spillane enjoying the films at Saint Francis Special School ‘A Night at the OsKaRs’ in the INEC Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Shane Riordan staff member at Saint Francis Special School at ‘A Night at the OsKaRs’ in the INEC Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

The cast and crew of 'Derry Girls' reacting to their film in the INEC Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Daniel Horgan the star of 'Calendar Girls' being interviewed on the stage at the INEC Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

John Healy and Patricia Healy clearly enjoying the films at Saint Francis Special School fundraising night in the INEC Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Over 2000 guests attended Saint Francis Special School ‘A Night at the OsKaRs’ in the INEC Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

JUDGES APPROVAL: Comedian Bernard Casey enjoying the films at Saint Francis Special School ‘A night at the OsKaRs’ presented by the staff and children in association with Kevin Rowe Events and the INEC Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

School Principal Keith Ó Brolacháin introducing the films at Saint Francis Special School ‘A Night at the OsKaRs’ in the INEC Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

By Sean Moriarty

It was a night full of glitz and glam as over 2000 guests attended Saint Francis Special School ‘A Night at the OsKaRs' in the INEC.

The school teamed up with Kevin Rowe Events on Thursday night as a fundraiser for services for the students whose motto is 'Reach for the Stars'.

The ambitious project involved students, staff and supporters who come together to make seven short films based on famous movies with teachers, SNAs, the secretary, house staff, bus escorts, parents, family, and members of the children’s therapy team.

They each competed for titles like Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor during the night's event.

The judging panel included former GAA star and TV pundit Pat Spillane, the famous dancing Garda Mary Gardiner, radio DJ Brendan Fuller and comedian Bernard Casey.

A four-person committee was led by principal Keith O Brolacháin.

“The Ring of Kerry Cycle race is one of our biggest fundraisers,” said committee member Fiona Carroll.

“I was involved in that and straight afterwards Keith approached me with this idea. My first thought was no way, this can’t work, but he had done something similar at his previous school in Cobh. It was an amazing journey and an amazing night . The kids from the school stole the show with their performance of ‘The Greatest Showman’ – a story about people hidden from society and very fitting with our motto ‘Reach for the Stars’.

"All money raised is going to refurbishing our therapy rooms including speech and language, occupational therapy and sensory rooms."

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Killarney Golf & Fishing Club charity weekend for Jack and Jill

Killarney Golf & Fishing Club Captains Tomás Kelliher and Annette McNeice have announced that the upcoming Open Captains’ Charity Weekend will take place on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May […]

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19 hours ago

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2 May 2026

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Killarney Golf & Fishing Club Captains Tomás Kelliher and Annette McNeice have announced that the upcoming Open Captains’ Charity Weekend will take place on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17.

This year’s event will raise funds for the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, which provides in-home nursing care and respite support for children with severe learning disabilities and complex medical needs. The event is sponsored by Truffle Honey.
The weekend will feature a Team of Four competition. Entry is €40 per person or €160 per team. Online entry is available through the club’s booking system at www.killarneygolfclub.ie. A dedicated fundraising page for donations has also been set up at www.idonate.ie.
A charity raffle will also run throughout the weekend, featuring green fees for top golf courses and various prizes donated by local supporters.
“The work Jack and Jill do for families in Kerry and across Ireland is extraordinary,” Captains Tomás Kelliher and Annette McNeice said in a joint statement. “We are proud to play our part in helping them continue that mission and look forward to welcoming members and visitors for a fantastic weekend of golf.”
Siobhan Reen of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation thanked the club for their support.
“Every euro raised helps us provide vital home nursing care, giving children the chance to be cared for at home, where they belong,” she said.
The foundation currently supports over 490 families across Ireland, including many in County Kerry, providing up to 100 hours of home nursing care per month.
Those looking to enter a team can visit the Killarney Golf Club website (
http://www.killarneygolfclub.ie/), while those wishing to donate can do so via the iDonate fundraiser page for the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club Open Captains’ Charity Weekend.
Further information on the services provided by the foundation can be found at www.jackandjill.ie.

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Scorchers secure World Bronze in Orlando

The Scorchers Cheerleading club has made history after their senior team, Code Black, secured a bronze medal at the All Star World Championships in Orlando, Florida. Competing against 44 elite […]

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1 day ago

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2 May 2026

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The Scorchers Cheerleading club has made history after their senior team, Code Black, secured a bronze medal at the All Star World Championships in Orlando, Florida.

Competing against 44 elite teams from around the world, the Killarney-based squad finished on the podium in one of the most competitive cheerleading events globally. The achievement follows a strong run of form for the club, which recently earned a direct bid to bypass the opening “Battle Round” and advance straight to the semi-finals based on their previous performance scores.
The team’s success in Florida is the result of months of intensive training at their local base. Head Coach Katlyn Moynihan noted that the athletes’ dedication and focus throughout the season were key to their performance on the world stage.
“To stand on that podium is an incredible achievement,” she said. “These athletes have given everything this season, and to see it all come together in Orlando is very special.”
Club owner Jackie Jeal highlighted the significance of the result, given the disparity in resources compared to major American programmes.
“We are a small club from a corner of Ireland without the facilities of the top US teams,” she said. “They proved that teamwork and heart can stand with the best in the world. To bring home a bronze medal against those odds is a historic milestone for our club.”
The Scorchers have seen a massive wave of support from the Killarney and wider Kerry community, with local fundraising efforts helping to get the team to the United States.

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