News
Almost €1,000 raised for needy families
By Michelle Crean
Students goodwill and generosity - which saw them raise almost €1,000 - will positively change the way some local families celebrate Christmas next week.
As it is the time of year for goodwill and generosity the Transition Year students from Killarney Community College called on the help of fellow students, their families and staff in the school to donate so that those in need can have a happy Christmas.
Arranging two fundraisers brought in the massive amount of funding which will now be used to make up food hampers for local families experiencing financial hardship.
On December 3, the Transition Year students raised an amazing €552 by hosting a bake sale in the school.
On December 9, not letting Storm Barra get in the way of selling tickets, the Transition Years also held a fantastic raffle. Another €416 was raised for the Killarney Lions Club. There were 11 hampers raffled, put together by teachers and students.
"This money will help the club create food hampers for families in need here in the Killarney area this Christmas," Teacher Lorraine Crowley, who organised the appeal said.
"Food boxes were also donated as part of the appeal."
Gneeveguilla apprentice wins national stonemasonry title
Darragh O’Sullivan from Gneeveguilla won the overall prize in the Architectural Stonemasonry category at the WorldSkills Ireland competition held recently at the RDS in Dublin.
An apprentice stonecutter and stonemason with the Office of Public Works (OPW) based in Mallow, O’Sullivan secured gold for his technical accuracy and craftsmanship during the three-day event.
The state agency relies on traditional trade skills to manage, conserve, and restore national monuments, public buildings, and heritage sites across the country.
O’Sullivan’s success reflects the training provided by his OPW mentors and team, highlighting the importance of apprentice development in preserving traditional heritage crafts for future generations.
Picture Caption: CRAFT CHAMPION: Tom Little (Kerry ETB), Terri Sweeney Meade (OPW), category winner Darragh O’Sullivan (OPW), and Donal Keys (WorldSkills Ireland) at the RDS in Dublin.
Jessica Cronin donates hair for children’s charity
Ten-year-old Killarney resident Jessica Cronin is set to cut and donate 12 inches of her hair to support young cancer patients, alongside a fundraising campaign for LauraLynn Children’s Hospice.
The hair donation will go directly to the Little Princess Trust, a charity providing real hair wigs free of charge to children and young people who have lost their own hair through medical treatment.
Alongside her hair donation, Jessica is collecting financial contributions for LauraLynn through the Locks of Love campaign.
“I want to help somebody that doesn’t have something that I have, hair,” Jessica said.
Her family expressed their pride in her decision to support both organisations.
“We are all so proud of her,” her mother, Grace O’Shea-Cronin, said. “Any donation, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated.”
Donations to support Jessica’s fundraiser can be made online at
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