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What exactly is a supermoon and is it rare?

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The Supermoon.

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Supermoon.

STEP outside today, November 14, just after sunset and look to the northeast and you will see a large moon rising (assuming it is clear). Looks huge, right? Much bigger than normal? There are lots of reports in the media about this massive supermoon and how the full moon won't appear this big again until 2034. But what exactly is a supermoon and is it rare?

The moon orbits the earth, but it doesn’t orbit in a perfect circle. Its orbit is elliptical. There is a point in the moon’s orbit when it is closest to earth (perigee) and another point when it is furthest away (apogee). When a full moon coincides with the perigee we experience a supermoon. In this instance, the full moon and the closest point in the orbit line up very closely meaning that November's full moon is over 14% bigger and 30% brighter than a full moon that occurs when it is at apogee. This is the largest the full moon will appear for almost 70 years. When compared to a full moon at its average distance from earth, the moon will appear 7% larger and 16% brighter.

Adding to the spectacle is a phenomenon known as the moon illusion. Simply put, when the moon has just risen, we tend to see it close to trees, buildings, hills and the horizon. We have a frame of reference for it and so the moon looks bigger than it actually is. The same moon, later on in the evening, when it is high up overhead will appear much smaller. In fact, if you were to measure the actual size of the moon when it is overhead and when it is close to the horizon, you would discover that they are the same.

As for the rarity of a supermoon? It's not quite as rare as a blue moon; a supermoon (depending on definition) occurs once every 13 or 14 months, whereas a blue moon (the third of four full moons that occur in a quarter of a year) happens every two or three years. If you miss this supermoon, not to worry, The supermoon of January 2018 will be at a distance of 356,605km, a mere 82km further away that this one.

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Network Ireland Kerry discuss sustainable success

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Network Ireland Kerry held their third annual collaboration event last Wednesday at the Rose Hotel, Tralee. The theme was: “The Journey to Sustainable Success” which brought three industry experts together to talk about their own journey to sustainable successful.

Business professionals, entrepreneurs, and financial leaders came together for this highly anticipated event to learn about the journey from becoming a start-up, to a small-to-medium enterprise (SME), and a large SME.

The event was opened by AIB Branch Liaison for Network Ireland Kerry and AIB Castleisland Branch Manager, Colleen Shannon. It was MC’d by AIB Tralee Branch Manager, Stephen Stack.

Sarah Farrar of AINMHÌ, Garrett Dillon of Mr. Binman and Dillon Waste Ltd. and Susan Quirke-Crowley of Mounthawk Montessori School Group were among the speakers at the event.

These leaders spoke about their challenges, milestones, and breakthroughs they encountered, from launching an idea to scaling operations nationally.

Tara Elzingre of Tara Elzingre Consultancy, Zaneta Labuz-Czerwein of Rustic Boowa and Sharon Hartnett of U Coaching promoted their businesses for ‘Minute on the Mic’

Emily Reen, Network Ireland Kerry President, described the event as a testament to the power of partnership. She said: “The event underscored a powerful message: sustainable business success is not a solo journey. With the right partnerships, teams and financial tools, businesses of all sizes can grow with purpose, resilience, and long-term impact.”

Network Ireland Kerry will host their next monthly event on November 12 in Killarney and in collaboration with the Kerry Local Enterprise Office, titled: “Gain Competitive Advantage in Your Business”. This event will be MC’d by Karen Ronan, 2025 National Vice President of Network Ireland and CEO of Galway Chamber. This event is open to non-members and members, and everyone is welcome from 6 pm for networking and refreshments, with the event taking place from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

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Minor injury clinic to open by this time next year

The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home. […]

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The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home.

The timeline was confirmed in response to a Parliamentary Question from Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill, who said the project will follow the relocation of the Community Nursing Unit from its current site to the grounds of the old St Finan’s Hospital. Once the transfer is complete, construction of the injury clinic can proceed.
Deputy Cahill described the two new health facilities as “a fantastic addition for Killarney and the wider East, Mid, and South Kerry regions” and noted they will help reduce waiting times at University Hospital Kerry A&E.
“I will continue to push for enhanced health services for our people,” added the Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Older People.
The new clinic is expected to provide urgent care services for local residents, easing pressure on hospital emergency departments and improving access to timely treatment in the Killarney area.

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