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Councillor calls for Killarney mortgage holders to be given a break

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By Sean Moriarty

A Killarney councillor is going to write to Finance Minister Paschal O’Donoghue calling for a moratorium on mortgages for people on long-term Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan is concerned about the number of people in the Killarney area who are struggling to make ends meet as a result of being out of work due to the pandemic.

While the problem is a national one, it is greatly increased in the Killarney region given the large numbers of people usually employed in the now shutdown tourism industry.

It's been one year since Ireland entered lockdown and, apart from a few weeks in the summer and in the run up to Christmas, hospitality has not operated at all in the last 12 months.

Last September, the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce estimated that there was 3,500 people directly employed in this sector in Killarney.

This figure increases further when indirect employees like taxi, coach tour drivers and jarveys are taken into account.

Taking third party workers like food and beverage suppliers, their delivery drivers and maintenance workers into account, and the situation is even more bleak.

Banks allowed a moratorium on mortgages for the first three months of the pandemic but that counts for little today as more and more locals struggle to meet their monthly commitments and continue to provide for their families while on a PUP payment of €350 a week. That figure is reduced further for part-time workers.

Cllr O’Callaghan was prompted into action after a local mother who has not worked in nearly a year approached him in tears after she was forced to borrow a large some of money from her family to pay her mortgage.

“The Finance Minister needs to sit down with the banking institutions, cut these people some slack,” Mr O’Callaghan told the Killarney Advertiser. “It is not like the banks will never get their money. The people need a break and anybody who was paying their mortgage before the pandemic should get a break. Once they go back to work the moratorium can be lifted – the banks will know anyway as their wages are paid directly into their accounts.”

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Camera club returns after summer break

Killarney Camera Club will begin its new autumn season with an open night in The Brehon Hotel on September 28. This is the first meeting since the club broke up […]

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Killarney Camera Club will begin its new autumn season with an open night in The Brehon Hotel on September 28.

This is the first meeting since the club broke up for the summer – new members are invited to attend the open meeting later this month .

“Our final competition of the last season was our Open Print competition in June, and 20 unique and enthralling prints were on display in The Brehon on the night. Well done to everyone who put in the time, effort and expense to enter the competition. Thanks also to the many members who were involved in the logistics of bringing the season’s end competition to fruition.,” said club secretary Deirdre O’Donoghue.

“Throughout the year we hold a series of zoom meetings, fortnightly, and also have many in-house presentations of guest speakers , in their respective areas of photographic expertise , as well as occasional photographic outings throughout the club’s calendar year.”

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Kilcummin Comhaltas CCE launches trad music initiative

A new initiative from Kilcummin Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in association with Conor Moriarty sees the branch offer group music classes for those interested in traditional playing. Conor is combining with […]

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A new initiative from Kilcummin Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in association with Conor Moriarty sees the branch offer group music classes for those interested in traditional playing.

Conor is combining with the branch to gather musicians form beginner to advanced to give the ultimate group music experience.

“Its a great chance for newer players to learn from Conor, who himself is a champion musician but also from the other musicians that will attend the group in what undoubtedly will also offer a social outlet to all involved,” said Derek O Leary, PRO of Kilcummin Comhaltas CCE.

Conor has enormous previous experience. He is one of Irelands leading accordion players starting his playing career at the age seven. In 2009, Conor was crowned All-Ireland Champion on Melodeon at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann and followed that up by becoming senior All-Ireland accordion Champion in 2010.

He also completed his MA in Irish traditional music performance at University Limerick that same year. He has worked professionally with many organisations including Siamsa Tire and more recently Gaelic Roots the show. He is also a much sought after music teacher where he has always enjoyed passing on his knowledge to the next generation.

The group sessions start on September 27 for an initial five-week term from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm in Kilcummin Rural Development Office.

For further details contact Conor on 087 9698063

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