The children and staff at Maggie’s Montessori enjoyed a very special visit last week as the Sam Maguire Cup made one of its final stops on its tour of the county.

With the championship starting up and Kerry’s All-Ireland football title defence about to begin, this was one of the last chances for local fans to see the famous trophy in the flesh. The youngsters at the Montessori were over the moon to get up close to “Sam” during its Killarney visit.

A 28-year-old teacher and community activist from Beaufort was named the 2026 Kerry Rose following a gala selection night at The Heights Hotel in Killarney last Saturday.

Caoimhe Lynch, who currently works as a secondary school Chaplain and English teacher in Dublin, emerged as the judges’ choice from a talented group of contestants representing every corner of the county. The Beaufort native was a popular winner among the large crowd of supporters who gathered in Killarney to see the 2026 representative chosen.

A proud Kerry woman, Caoimhe is well known in Killarney as the director of the Kingdom Gospel Choir, which boasts over 100 members. Even while working in the capital, she has remained deeply rooted in her home county, travelling back regularly to lead the choir and spend time with her family.

Beyond her professional and musical life, Caoimhe is the founder of The Light House Project, an initiative she established in 2024 to support communities facing poverty and social challenges. During the selection process, she spoke passionately about her commitment to social justice and her love for traditional Irish music, specifically the “Lynch family music sessions” that are a staple of her home life.

“Kerry is home, and I love nothing more than coming back to my family and friends,” she said during the event.

Caoimhe will now represent the Kingdom at the Rose of Tralee International Festival this August.