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End of year celebration at Killarney Community College
Teachers, staff and students assembled on Tuesday for the Killarney Community College annual awards ceremony.
Awards were presented across a range of categories: academia, technology, culture, languages, leadership, ethos, sports and extra-curricular activities amongst others. It is always a great day and an opportunity to honour those who have excelled.
Awards Coordinator Selma Dineen said: “The Annual Awards Ceremony is a cherished tradition that acknowledges the dedication, perseverance, and talent exhibited by individuals within the school community. It serves as a platform to honour remarkable accomplishments across a wide range of academic, extracurricular, and community service categories.”
Stevie Murphy was presented with the award for Living the Ethos. He was awarded this as he has been constantly involved in promoting the school ethos of ‘Respect, Responsibility and Inclusion’
Leaving Cert Applied Student of the Year went to Jack O’ Connell..
Year Head Mr John Keane said: “Teachers have praised both Jack’s enthusiasm and involvement in school life.”
Rachel Griffin was voted by the teachers as the Student of the Year. Rachel has taken part in so much during her time in Killarney Community College. From SciFest to Panto, Student’s Council and more,
The prestigious Principal’s Award went to Leah McDonnell. Leah has led the way by showing her commitment to her studies, demonstrating that dedication, hard work and a sense of purpose is a lifelong skill that can achieve so much.
Other awards on the day included Sports Awards which went to Leah Sheehan who was awarded the Junior Sports Award for her boxing achievements. Teagan O’ Sullivan and Christopher Healy were awarded the Senior Sports Awards for their excellent contribution to sports and sporting achievements. Both students have excelled as members of KCC’s basketball and Gaelic football teams.
Principal Stella Loughnane said: "We firmly believe that recognizing and celebrating achievements is crucial to fostering a culture of excellence and inspiring future generations.
“Our Annual Awards Ceremony is a momentous occasion that not only acknowledges outstanding achievements but also motivates students to strive for their personal best. We are immensely proud of the winners and the entire school community for their dedication and commitment."
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Fassbender ready for second Le Mans appearance
Local Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender is in the final preparation stages for his second appearance at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. The iconic endurance race is celebrating its […]

Local Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender is in the final preparation stages for his second appearance at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The iconic endurance race is celebrating its 100th edition next weekend.
The Fossa star has already arrived in the famous French twon where he is involved in a week-long series of engagements including drivers’ parades, autograph sessions and more serious appointments like car safety checks, practice and qualifying.
Like last year, when he finished 16th in the LMGTE Am class, Fassbender has been entered in to the event by the German Proton Competition team with Estonian Martin Rump and the Austrian Richard Lietz.
Fassbender dreams of following the trajectory of fellow Hollywood actors Patrick Dempsey who was second in LMGTE Am class in 2016 and Paul Newman who finished second overall in 1979.
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Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections
Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]

Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.
Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.
The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.
Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.
Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.
She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.
“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”
In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.
In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.
last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History – Irish Life and Lore’.
During the broadcast she talked about her parents’ membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.
This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.