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€600k extension progressing at The Mon

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EXPANSION: Building works have resumed at The Mon on New Road which will include a Special Needs Unit and new school hall. Pictured are Principal Colm O Súilleabháin and Deputy Principal Mary Brosnan. Photo: Michelle Crean

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By Michelle Crean

A brand new €600,000 extension is well underway at one local school and is set to give staff and pupils even bigger and better facilities.

The works, which will include a Special Needs Unit with a sensory room, an ASP classroom, and a new hall in The Mon on New Road, began just before lockdown but works were delayed due to the sudden school closures earlier this year. Now it's hoped that it will be ready for an official opening in the New Year.

With 190 pupils from second to sixth class, school principal Colm O Súilleabháin says they are all looking forward to moving into the new building.

"We have two special classes, one which caters for pupils with two or more diagnosed with learning difficulties, and the second is an ASP class for children on the spectrum," he told the Killarney Advertiser.

"The unit will combine both classes and the multi sensory room. We're also building a new general practice hall as the one we had was not fit for purpose. The old hall you couldn't fit everybody in at one time and Christmas concerts were tight for space. The new hall will be double the size of the one we had and will be fantastic."

He said it was disappointing to see the project delayed due to the COVID closure in mid-March but he was delighted to see the workers back on site before school resumed.

"The work started the week before the lockdown so it was tools down for a while but it's great to see the work progressing. We're looking forward to the New Year when it's complete."

And the work won't be stopping there as school staff are planning to set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds to create a fun and colourful space outside for the pupils.

Although still in the planning phase, Deputy Principal Mary Brosnan said they will be posting a fundraising page online in the coming weeks.

"We will be setting up a GoFundMe page asking people for a minimum of €5. We also want to set up an Instagram page for the unit. We're hoping to raise approximately €30,000 to help fund a child friendly soft play area and make the outside nice and colourful."

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New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

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A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.

Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.

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