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Cross-county collaboration key to building STEM skills in the South West

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A meeting in Killarney has highlighted the opportunity for greater collaboration across counties to strengthen the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) talent pipeline in the South West.

Representatives from STEM South West met with Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae, Fearghal Reidy, CEO of Kerry County Council, and Patrick Doyle, Regional Manager of the IDA, to discuss how STEM education and industry can be supported and expanded across the region.
The STEM South West Leaders Dialogue, held at the Muckross Park Hotel, focused on how the sector can continue to grow despite challenges such as skills shortages, competitiveness, and housing pressures. Participants agreed that stronger cooperation between national and local government, education, and industry is essential.
The discussion emphasised the importance of developing a long-term strategy to attract and retain skilled workers, and to support local and multinational companies operating in STEM fields. Programmes such as the Adopt a School initiative and the annual STEM South West Careers Expo were highlighted as key ways to connect schools, students, and employers.
Minister Healy-Rae said:
“It is key that all young people are given the full opportunity to reach gainful, suitable employment. From electricians to engineers, we need to educate young people on the opportunities available to them.”
Mary Good, Managing Director of Advanced Medical Services and Chair of STEM South West, said the event showed strong support for more joint action across the South West.
“Ongoing collaboration across all sectors is key,” she said. “We are inviting Kerry and Cork schools and STEM companies to take part in our Adopt a School initiative and our Careers Expo on 20 November.”
Audience members also called for greater recognition of SMEs that play a vital role in regional employment and work closely with larger international companies.
STEM South West is a not-for-profit, industry-led cluster aimed at building the region’s capacity in science, technology, engineering and maths.
For more information, visit www.stemsouthwest.ie.

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Double award win for Jessie Buckley

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Killarney-born actress Jessie Buckley celebrated a historic weekend by securing Lead Actress awards at both the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) and the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA).

Buckley was honoured for her role as Agnes in the film ‘Hamnet’, becoming the first Irish woman ever to win the BAFTA for Leading Actress.


The weekend of success began on Friday night in Dublin, where she was presented with the IFTA for Lead Actress by Stephen Rea.

Buckley, who grew up in Killarney, described the homecoming as deeply emotional, stating that the recognition meant a great deal because of her love for mothers and women.

She also paid tribute to her co-star Paul Mescal, who won Supporting Actor at the same ceremony.


On Sunday evening, Buckley jetted to London for the BAFTA ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall, where fellow Irish actor Cillian Murphy presented her with the Leading Actress award.

During her acceptance speech, she admitted she never imagined as a little girl that she would be allowed to make a film.


Buckley dedicated her win to the women who have inspired her and encouraged her to break traditional moulds. “This really does belong to the women past, present and future who taught me and continue to teach me how to do it differently,” she said.


In a moving moment, she also shared the award with her young daughter, who has travelled with her throughout the production of the film.

She described being a mother as the “best role” of her life and promised to remain “disobedient” as a parent.

Her goal, she explained, is to ensure her daughter can belong to a world in all her “complete wildness” as a young woman.

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High-end vehicle stolen in Killarney overnight theft

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A high-end vehicle was stolen from the Killarney urban area during the early hours of Tuesday morning, February 24.


The theft occurred between midnight and 6 am, with reports indicating that a high-end Audi was taken from a residential area.


Gardaí received a formal report of the vehicle theft this morning and have launched an immediate investigation into the matter.


A Garda spokesperson told the Killarney Advertiser that investigations are currently ongoing. Local officers are appealing to anyone who may have noticed suspicious activity in the Killarney town area overnight, or anyone with dash-cam footage from the midnight to 6 am period, to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 6671160.

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