News
End of an era as principal and deputy principal prepare to retire
By Sean Moriarty
Between them they have dedicated a staggering 85 years of education service but that's all set to change at the end of the month.
Liam Twomey and Kathleen Cronin are calling time on their teaching careers St Francis’ Special School in Beaufort as both the principal and deputy principal are set to retire.
Principal Mr Twomey has spent the last 20 years in charge of the Beaufort facility. Prior to that the Knocknagree native spent four years as head teacher at a national school near Kanturk after beginning his career in Dublin.
His retirement will mark the end of a 44-year and eight-month career in education.
In his time at St Francis Special School which began in 2002, he has seen many changes.
He oversaw the official transfer of St Francis from the Franciscan Sisters of the Divine Motherhood to the order of St John of God in 2005.
In September 2015 the school opened four new classrooms thanks to Department of Education funding.
Older classrooms were converted into specialised physiotherapy, speech and language and occupational therapy facilities. The cost of these additional facilities was covered by fundraising efforts during the annual Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle in 2015 and 2016.
The Ring of Kerry also provided funding for a fleet of new mini-buses which went on the road last year.
He is determined to see out his career by making sure the final phase of a special sensory garden and playground is completed. The garden opened last year but further improvements, to make it fully accessible and useable by wheelchair users, is expected to be completed in the next two weeks.
“I want that playground built before I go,” he told the Killarney Advertiser. It is on target to be finished in two weeks. We ordered two new buses last year and a new bike shed was built last summer.”
Outside of the school Liam has a keen interest in outdoor pursuits and he is going to devote more time to cycling, hiking and swimming.
40 years service
Muckross native Kathleen Cronin has spent nearly 40 years at St Francis Special school. She began her career in September 1982 and has been the school’s deputy principal for the last five years.
“I am certainly going to miss it,” she said. “I will remember the brilliant parents who were tireless in everything they did for their children and went about their business with such dignity in very difficult circumstances. Our client base has changed thanks to the difference in mainstay education.”
Kathleen is going to devote her time to being a full-time grandmother in her retirement.
Couples across the parish of Kilcummin gathered at Our Lady of Lourdes Church for a special celebration Mass honouring milestone wedding anniversaries.
The special service, celebrated by Fr Pat O’Donnell, brought together local couples celebrating 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 years of marriage. Each couple received a commemorative certificate in recognition of their decades of commitment and companionship.
Following the ceremony, the parish committee hosted a reception in the parish hall, where attendees enjoyed tea, home baking, and an opportunity to catch up with neighbours and family members.
Organisers extended their gratitude to Fr O’Donnell, the church committee, photographer Anne Holland, and all who helped arrange the celebratory event.
ANNIVERSARY MASS: Pictured at the Kilcummin wedding anniversary mass are (front row, left to right) Michael and Mary Dorrigan, Michael and Mary Moynihan, Marion and Timmy O’Keeffe, and Clare and Sean Moynihan; (second row) Robert and Ann Marie Keane, Paudie and Kate Cahill, Hann and Denny Donnelly, Sheila and Charlie O’Neill, and Maureen and Francis O’Doherty; (third row) Maura and Cornelius Brosnan, Joan and Jeremiah Desmond, Breda and Timmy O’Leary, Noreen and Patie Nagle, and Barry and Breda Duggan; with (back row) Willie and Breda Fleming, Mary and Noel Cronin, and Fr Pat O’Donnell. Photo: Anne Holland.
PEARL ANNIVERSARY: Clare and Sean Moynihan celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
GOLDEN JUBILEE: Marion and Timmy O’Keeffe marking 50 years of marriage during the parish anniversary celebrations in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
RUBY CELEBRATION: Timmy and Breda O’Leary celebrating 40 years of marriage in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
SAPPHIRE MILESTONE: Joan and Jeremiah Desmond celebrating 45 years of marriage at the anniversary Mass in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
CORAL ANNIVERSARY: Robert and Anne Marie Keane marking 35 years of marriage at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
Killarney Plaza wins top golf hotel award
Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa has been named IGTOA Large Golf Hotel of the Year at the 29th National Golf Tourism Conference and Gala Irish Golf Awards.
Organised by the Irish Golf Tour Operators Association, the annual conference brings together golf operators, hotels, clubs, and industry partners from across Ireland. The awards ceremony took place during a black-tie gala evening at Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa, hosted by broadcaster Des Cahill.
The category winner was selected through votes cast by IGTOA tour operator members. Established in 1996, the association promotes Ireland as an international golfing destination.
Hotel management expressed gratitude to the tour operators, regional partners, and guests who supported the venue throughout the year. The hotel operates as part of the local O’Donoghue Ring Collection.
GOLF AWARD: Representing the Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa, part of the O’Donoghue Ring Collection, Seán Howley (Group Business Development Manager), Brian Lawlor (Group General Manager), and Tomás O’Gorman (Guest Relations Manager) at the National Golf Tourism Conference
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