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Abbie reflects on Strasbourg experience

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Fifth Year St Brigid's student Abbie O'Sullivan, winner of the Rotary Youth Leadership Competition, has returned from an exciting trip to Strasbourg.

TRIP: Killarney student Abbie O'Sullivan reflects on her exciting trip to Strasbourg.

This week she shares her thoughts about the experience.

"In February I had the privilege of attending the European Parliament in Strasbourg as a winner of the Rotary Youth Leadership Competition. It was a trip that could not be defined by words. It expanded my knowledge, taught me new things about myself and others, and helped me create life-long bonds with people all over the country and across Europe. I entered this competition through my school and took part in three different interview sessions. I was asked about my own position in leadership, my opinions on topical issues both local and national and got to present myself professionally to the Killarney Rotary Club. My finals took place in Cork city where I was awarded this trip of a lifetime, representing The Rotary Club. I was over the moon wondering what experiences, friends and stories I would take from this trip and now as I reflect on it, the reality was beyond my expectations.

"I arrived in Belfast and met the 23 other winners of the award. Immediately, we became attached at the hip rushing to dinner together and enjoying the first night of this amazing trip by getting to know one another. We spent the following day in Belfast and then Dublin, first visiting city hall and having a private luncheon and conversation with the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Tina Black. She taught us about her position as both a woman in politics and also her position in Northern Ireland. We then visited Stormont. We had a guided tour there and spoke with three MLAs and had the opportunity to ask them questions. The day ended by taking a bus to Dublin and spending the evening laughing and learning together as we prepared for our event in Strasbourg. Our day in Dublin consisted of two major events; firstly, we visited Europe House. Here we learned about all the facilities and opportunities available to us in the European Union and shared our thoughts on current issues. In my opinion, this trip taught us how to work and converse as adults whilst also have as much fun as possible with our peers! We received our official certificates and then went to the Dáil for our second tour of State Governments. The night concluded with a 3am wake up call to board a flight to Frankfurt.

"We drove to Strasbourg from Germany and settled into our hostel, which we shared with over 500 other students attending the Parliament. That night we were given free time to explore so we organised a self-guided walking tour to make the most of our time! The Rotarian leaders must have been exhausted, just as we were, but none of us were going to let this opportunity slip away. The next day was the big event called Euroscola. At this event, Ireland, along with all other EU Member States, sat in the official Parliament hemisphere and debated the EU Zero Pollution Ambition. Having a huge interest in politics, this was the big moment of the trip for me. When I sat down in the parliament and was able to speak and share my opinion, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of accomplishment, and it is something I could never have experienced without the Rotary Club and the Youth Leadership Award.

"The next day was time for us to spend our last day together and experience the city of Strasbourg even more. Our return to Dublin Airport was full of hugs, tears and laughs. Thankfully, the 24 of us have stayed in touch and are hopefully working on another project to promote this very competition. This trip truly was an amazing experience, and I cannot recommend it enough to any young person in Killarney."

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Killarney twinned with Italian town

By Sean Moriarty It has taken 10 years but the Italian town of Casperia is now an official twin town with Killarney. The idea to twin the picturesque town near […]

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By Sean Moriarty

It has taken 10 years but the Italian town of Casperia is now an official twin town with Killarney.

The idea to twin the picturesque town near Rome was first mooted by the old Killarney Town Council.

However, when town councils were discontinued in 2014 the task was handed over to Killarney Town Twining Association and was supported by the elected Killarney Municipal District members of Kerry County Council.

A delegation from the association and the council visited Casperia in 2019 to sign the Italian side of the twining agreement.

The pandemic further delayed the process but on Thursday last Killarney Mayor Niall Kelleher and Casperia Mayor Marco Cusso met to formally sign the charter in Killarney.

“This was honouring a commitment made by the former town council to establish a twinning under European guidelines back in 2014,” said association chairman Sean Counihan.

“Unfortunately the town councils were abolished and Killarney Town Twinning Association pursued the matter.

“We are delighted that the municipal authority saw fit to move the beautiful town of Casperia near Rome from association status to full twinning with Killarney.

“We deeply appreciate the members’ positivity in honouring the former Town Council’s decision.”

The signing between the two mayors took place over the St Patrick’s Festival weekend when Killarney Town Twining Association also welcomed groups from other towns like Pleindfeld in Germany and Concord, North Carolina, USA.

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Music and fun at Fossa Rambling House

By Sean Moriarty The Fossa Two Mile branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann held its first Rambling House night of music and dance on Saturday night. Their return to the stage […]

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By Sean Moriarty

The Fossa Two Mile branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann held its first Rambling House night of music and dance on Saturday night.

Their return to the stage was timed to coincide with the St Patrick’s weekend celebration and also marked the first big event at the Castlerosse Park Resort since it re-opened on Thursday night following its winter break.

As well as a feat of Irish music, dance and poetry, Fossa-based Ukrainians gave performances in their native language too.

“What a great night we had at our CCÉ Rambling House last Saturday night,” Chairman Tim Kissane said.

“There are so many people to thank that we apologise in advance if we miss anybody out. Firstly, to the management and staff Castlerosse Park Resort for hosting our event and the wonderful service they provided.

“To our very talented stalwart musicians Mike Jack, Noreen and Maura who entertained us all so well from start to finish.

“To all our guest performers, from The Racing Pigeons to the Biddy Group and all the singers, musicians and storytellers in between go raibh mile maith agaibh. Special mention to our Ukrainian singers who performed two songs in their native language for us on the night. Thank you to all our members and supporters and to Fear an Tí, Mick Myers agus Bean an Tí, Theresa Kissane who kept the night flowing. Our fireplace display was kindly lent to us by the Beaufort Pioneers and adorned with ‘things of old’ from Brendan O’Sullivan.”

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