News
Alexis the face of ‘Hotels for Little Heroes’ campaign
Children’s Health Foundation are calling on hotels across Co. Kerry to donate a night and change a life by taking part in their ‘Hotels for Little Heroes’ campaign. The campaign asks Irish hotels to donate the cost of a night’s stay to raise vital funds to help give every sick child in Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght, and Connolly the very best chance.
Killarney native and patient in Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Alexis O’Mahony, teamed up with Children’s Health Foundation Ambassador John Burke from The Armada Hotel to launch this new campaign and urge Irish hotels to help change the lives of sick children who spend time away from home in hospital.
Alexis was born with Pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency (PDH), a rare and serious condition that affects her metabolism. This has meant the past few years have been challenging for Alexis and her parents. “Alexis had no energy as a baby, no energy to smile or even cry” said Teresa, Alexis’s mother. “One night I heard a big laugh, I was overjoyed – where was this energy coming from? But it wasn’t a laugh, she was having a fit.”
Unfortunately, spending time away from home can be an inevitability for a child when they become sick. There are children, like Alexis, who can spend months at a time in hospital. That is time away from family and friends; away from their own school, sport and all the things that make a childhood. The Children's Health Ireland frontline teams provide loving, compassionate care every day, but being in hospital can be a lonely and scary place for children.
By registering to take part in the campaign, hotels can support children like Alexis as they spend many nights in hospital being looked after by the amazing Children’s Health Ireland staff.
Hugh Kane, interim Chief Executive at Children’s Health Foundation said, “Hotels for Little Heroes is a fantastic way for Irish hotels to support sick children in Children’s Health Ireland hospitals and urgent care centres. By donating the cost of a night’s stay in your hotel, you can change the lives of sick children and provide vital, life-saving funds to support the incredible work in Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght and Connolly. We’d like to extend a huge thank you to our wonderful Ambassador John for helping us launch Hotels for Little Heroes and for the Armada Hotel’s support.”
To register and find out other ways hotels can get involved, visit https://www.childrenshealth.ie/hotels-for-little-heroes/ or email modonnell@childrenshealth.ie
Major extension plans at St Oliver’s National School
St Oliver’s National School in Ballycasheen is set to undergo a significant expansion following confirmation that the Department of Education has granted approval for the project to proceed to construction.
The building project, funded under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, will deliver a substantial extension to the existing school facilities. The development includes the provision of three new mainstream classrooms, seven Special Education Teaching (SET) rooms, and three Special Educational Needs (SEN) bases.
The expansion is designed to meet the growing educational needs of the Killarney area while enhancing the school’s capacity to provide inclusive support for all students.
Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill welcomed the progress, noting that the inclusion of dedicated SET and SEN spaces is vital for a modern learning environment.
“I am delighted to see this project at St Oliver’s National School progressing to the construction stage,” he said. “This is a very significant development that will greatly enhance the school’s capacity. I want to commend the school management, the Principal Colm Ó Suilleabháin, the staff, parents, and Board of Management for their continued engagement and dedication in advancing this project.”
The Killarney Palestinian and wider Arabic community gathered recently to celebrate the end of Ramadan with an Eid event that raised €4,500 for humanitarian aid.
Held at Noelle’s Cafe in Old Market Lane, the ‘Taste of Palestine’ afternoon saw crowds fill the lane in bright sunshine. Attendees were served a range of traditional Palestinian dishes, including falafel, musakhan rolls, maqluba, hummus, and chocolate-covered dates.
A spokesperson for Killarney for Palestine highlighted the cultural significance of the event, stating that food represents a centuries-old connection to the land, identity, and memory. They noted that it is vital to reclaim and preserve the true origins of these traditional dishes.
The organisers expressed their gratitude to Noelle Crosbie and Taher Ali of Noelle’s Cafe for hosting and facilitating the fundraiser.
The total of €4,500 raised will directly benefit six displaced families in the Gaza Strip currently supported by the group. The funds will also assist with the ongoing running costs of Killarney for Palestine as they continue to organise local community events.
Killarney for Palestine raises €4,500 at ‘Taste of Palestine’ event
The Killarney Palestinian and wider Arabic community gathered recently to celebrate the end of Ramadan with an Eid event that raised €4,500 for humanitarian aid.
Held at Noelle’s Cafe in Old Market Lane, the ‘Taste of Palestine’ afternoon saw crowds fill the lane in bright sunshine. Attendees were served a range of traditional Palestinian dishes, including falafel, musakhan rolls, maqluba, hummus, and chocolate-covered dates.
A spokesperson for Killarney for Palestine highlighted the cultural significance of the event, stating that food represents a centuries-old connection to the land, identity, and memory. They noted that it is vital to reclaim and preserve the true origins of these traditional dishes.
The organisers expressed their gratitude to Noelle Crosbie and Taher Ali of Noelle’s Cafe for hosting and facilitating the fundraiser.
The total of €4,500 raised will directly benefit six displaced families in the Gaza Strip currently supported by the group. The funds will also assist with the ongoing running costs of Killarney for Palestine as they continue to organise local community events.
Major extension plans at St Oliver’s National School
Major extension plans at St Oliver’s National School St Oliver’s National School in Ballycasheen is set to undergo a significant...
Killarney for Palestine raises €4,500 at ‘Taste of Palestine’ event
The Killarney Palestinian and wider Arabic community gathered recently to celebrate the end of Ramadan with an Eid event that...
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