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Killarney youth play set for nationwide tour

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Prom Queen: The Movement (in Concert) is a show  inspired by youth-led musical group based in Killarney, is coming to four different theatres across Ireland.

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It was written and co-directed by Killarney student, Sinéad Greene (15) and produced and co-directed by Rachel Griffin (18).

“Our movement aims to raise awareness around the various societal challenges faced by teenagers in a modern age society. We want to use our voices to create impact and start a movement into a better and brighter future for us young people. The themes of the show include issues such as bullying, domestic abuse and LGBTQ+ representation,” said Sinead Greene.

“The show hopes to shine light on these topics and spark conversations about the many different stories portrayed in this production. There is a witty approach to the daunting questions of modern society, with a catchy soundtrack which has many great and recognisable hits.”

The cast and crew include pupils from Killarney, as well as pupils from neighbouring areas such as Rathmore, Tralee and even Cork and Kildare.

This inspiring group of young people performed the show on the INEC stage in November, with a school show the following day.
These sell-out performances established the show as a massive hit, with huge ticket sales and rave reviews.

With the funds raised from the show, the Prom Queen team donated €500 to Jigsaw Kerry, a local mental health charity for young people.
“We are delighted to bring back this show with many of its original cast, as well as a host of newcomers, and we are thrilled to share its story with a wider audience, hoping to raise even more awareness of the serious subject matters highlighted in this show,” added Sinead.
“Full of many twists and turns, Prom Queen is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.”

Synopsis

“‘Birdhill High’, like any Highschool, has its generic yet recognisable cliques: ‘The Popular Girls’, ‘The Handsome Jocks’, ‘The Emos’ and, of course, ‘The Nerds’. Our loveable nerd in this ‘high school tale’ is shy teen Oliver (Olly), accompanied by his sarcastic yet loyal best friend Krystal (Krys). The plot follows the two as they navigate their way through high school. Oliver’s fatal flaw is being a hopeless romantic, which has led him to fall in love with the school’s popular girl, Leah. Krys, however, disapproves of this ‘popular princess’. One day, Olly stupidly challenges the school’s star athlete and popular boy Glen to see who can take Leah to the Prom. That’s where our story begins, only skimming the surface of what lies beneath. We meet many interesting characters along the way, including Glen’s Jock Squad: Rodrick (Glen’s Loudmouth Buddy), Henry (the Principal’s son) and Cameron (Olly’s unidentical twin), as well as Leah’s Popular Clique: Debbie (The Queen of Drama) and Mollie (The Dumb Beauty).

Prom Queen deals with many sensitive topics such as depression, domestic violence, suicide, internalised homophobia and bullying. The main message of Prom Queen is that everyone has their own story. We are more than just ‘popular’, ‘jocks’ and ‘losers’, and this story has an effective and touching way of bringing this to the fore.

Tour Dates:
July 21st – The Everyman, Co. Cork
July 23rd – glór, Co. Clare
July 26th – K.C.Y.M.S. Killorglin 
July 29th – Dunamaise Arts Centre, Co. Laois

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Concerns over future of St Mary of the Angels

Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for […]

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Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for children and adults with profound disabilities and special needs.

The campus, set on lands generously donated by the Doyle family, offers 30 acres of grounds, existing buildings, and services, making it a valuable asset for the provision of respite care in Kerry. TD Michael Cahill emphasized that the Doyle family’s wishes should be respected, and that the grounds should be made accessible immediately.
“The special needs community in Kerry has a major respite crisis and families don’t have time to wait. Families need help — they are not asking for full-time residential care but respite care, a break, a helping hand,” Deputy Cahill said.
He added that a bespoke approach is needed to meet the individual needs of children attending St Francis Special School. “Many of the children in the county with profound needs need a safe haven where they can roam the grounds freely, and St Mary of the Angels offers this.”
Deputy Cahill has accompanied several Ministers to the Beaufort campus to highlight its value to Disability Health Service providers. A working group has been formed including St John of Gods, the HSE, representatives of residents at St Mary of the Angels, and St Francis Special School, to explore options for maintaining and expanding respite services.
“Parents are worn out and at the end of their tether. This needs to be dealt with expeditiously, in an environment of cooperation between the relevant Government Departments of Health, Disability, and Education. We need to get this across the line urgently and put it permanently in place,” he said.
Deputy Cahill pointed to the current shortfall of respite services in Kerry. “As of now, Cunamh Iveragh respite in Cahersiveen is only open Friday to Sunday, running at half capacity — two adults per night instead of four. The issue is staffing, and the HSE will not release funding to open full-time. The Beaufort campus is available and should be utilised as parents are crying out for overnight respite. Cooperation and compassion could see this done quickly.”
TD Danny Healy Rae echoed these concerns during a Dáil speech this week. “We are still short of respite beds on the southern side of the constituency. Families caring for people with disabilities just want a break, but there is nowhere available locally. Places are being offered only in Tipperary or Meath for those needing new residential care. It makes no sense. St Mary of the Angels in Beaufort has 40 or 50 acres of grounds that could be expanded, with facilities already in place such as swimming pools. It could be developed as a model for the rest of the country.”
Both TDs are urging the Government and the HSE to take immediate action to utilise the Beaufort campus for respite care, in line with the intentions of the Doyle family and the needs of Kerry families.

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Cardiac Response Unit’s ‘Restart a Heart’ training event

Killarney Cardiac Response Unit (KCRU) is set to run a range of events as part of the global initiative Restart A Heart, which aims to increase awareness and actual rates […]

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Killarney Cardiac Response Unit (KCRU) is set to run a range of events as part of the global initiative Restart A Heart, which aims to increase awareness and actual rates of bystander CPR worldwide.

The main event, titled RAH 2025, invites the public to learn life-saving skills and the basic steps in the chain of survival. This will take place on Saturday, October 18, at the Killarney Outlet Centre.
Members of the public are encouraged to join KCRU at the centre between 10:00 am and 5pm.
Key feature of the day will be the CPR Competition, offering “fantastic prizes to be won.”
For further information, visit www.killarneycru.ie/rah25

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