Former President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, is scheduled to visit Killarney next week to address the 158th Annual Congress of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO).

The conference will take place at the Gleneagle Arena from Monday, April 6 to Wednesday, April 8.

The former President, whose second term in office concluded late last year, is set to address delegates on the final morning of the congress, Wednesday, at 10:45 am.

As the largest primary school teachers’ union in Ireland, the INTO expects a significant turnout for the three-day event.

This year’s agenda is dominated by several high-profile issues, including teachers’ pay, industrial relations, and school funding.

Delegates will also discuss teacher supply, special education supports, and the new primary school curriculum.

The congress officially opens at 2:00 pm on Monday with an address from INTO President Anne Horan.

On Tuesday morning at 9:00 am, the Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, is scheduled to speak, followed by a response from INTO General Secretary John Boyle.

The arrival of hundreds of delegates is expected to provide a significant boost to the local Killarney economy during the Easter period.

The Gleneagle Arena is set to become a global hub of culture and competition this Easter as it hosts the An Chomhdháil World Irish Dancing Championships.

The prestigious event brings a vibrant mix of music and international talent to the town, with local dancers ready to step onto the world stage in their own backyard.

This year, Killarney is proudly represented by a dedicated troop from the Hegarty Irish Dance Academy.

Dancers Abbey O’Leary, Maria Blennerhasset, Klara Morczewska, Máire Lynch, and Isabelle Hindle have spent countless hours preparing for the tournament.

Under the expert guidance of teachers Maureen and Lisa Hegarty, these dancers now have the opportunity to compete at the highest level before an international audience.

Beyond the cultural spectacle, the championships provide a massive boost to the local economy. More than 2,500 dancers, along with their families and supporters, will travel to Killarney for the event.

Killarney talent bound for Isle of Man

The busy Easter schedule continues for the Hegarty Irish Dance Academy as they prepare for an international cultural exchange.

At the end of this week, a group of 25 dancers and musicians travelled to the Isle of Man.

The group will represent Ireland at the Shennaghys Jiu Celtic Festival, a celebration of music, dance, and folklore from the Celtic nations.

The travelling party will showcase the best of Killarney’s traditional arts, further strengthening the town’s international sporting and cultural links.