News
Facebook is watching
D
Danny Healy-Rae calls it “Puss Book”. Why? Because, apart from everyone’s face, everyone’s paw marks are all over it.
Well, guilty as charged. I have given up Facebook for Lent (apart from the odd peek). Removed the app from the iPad, so every time I am tempted to take a break and see what’s happening on FB, and maybe release a bit of stress by giving out about something, or get a buzz by gazing at a painting on the arts sites I follow, or see the news from “friends”, I have to think of something else to do.
But it is easier to give up the fags than Facebook. Granted, I can still sneak the occasional FB fix and sure who will know? No smoke will rise if I go the long way round via password and email and access a peek (a bit like smoking outside) - though there is the risk of letting off steam and hot air.
Even if I remain inside for my fix, no physical toxins will attach from my screen. So, what of it then?
The problem is everyone will know, actually. Facebook is watching me and everyone else and each time I log on they not only know what I am up to, they know where it is I am up to it!
Facebook began for me as a journalistic tool, but has become a daily attraction, sometimes a several times a day habit, a nightly engagement, and a bit of fun. But I am getting less enamoured with it. I am also becoming increasingly self-conscious not just in what I say and what I reveal indirectly about myself in “likes”. And sure isn’t it all likes and isn’t everything happy-clappy on FB where it is the best of all places in the best of all possible worlds. Isn’t it now? (Unless you make an awkward remark and disturb the ever narcissistic glass pool.)
Only that the New York Times tells us in a piece by an FB insider that “when Russians decided to target Americans during the 2016 election, they didn’t buy TV or newspaper ads, or hire a skywriter. They turned to Facebook, where their content reached at least 126 million Americans.”
Facebook prioritized data collection, handing over information about their users instead of protecting them. In other words, it doesn’t give a fig leaf for any of us.
Worse, the spied upon have a hand in it themselves in opening the door and revealing their own worlds. In all innocence. Figs? We are back to the garden, Adam and Eve, too, bit the apple, probably not realising the consequences fully.
Anyway for now, I am trying to resist the bite.
News
Staff and students highlight important message
By Michelle Crean Local students went to great efforts on Friday last to highlight a very important message about inclusion. Staff and students in Killarney Community College came together for ‘Stand Up Awareness Week’ as part of a national campaign where second-level schools take a stand against homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying. All staff wore […]
By Michelle Crean
Local students went to great efforts on Friday last to highlight a very important message about inclusion.
Staff and students in Killarney Community College came together for ‘Stand Up Awareness Week’ as part of a national campaign where second-level schools take a stand against homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.
All staff wore a rainbow colour and students wore rainbow coloured accessories to show their support for the campaign as Killarney Community College is a diverse, inclusive, accepting, and welcoming safe space for everyone.
The majority of students made a particularly great effort in terms of wearing rainbow coloured accessories were awarded house points.
During the week, the LGBTI+ flag was hanging proudly in the school canteen. Transition Years decorated the General Purpose area with informative posters, and in SPHE classes, students learned about LGBTI+ terminology and history.
“It’s important that school is a safe and inclusive place for anyone attending regardless of their race, sex, religion or sexuality,” Principal, Stella Loughnane, said.
“I’m delighted that our school community marked the occasion and brought great colour while highlighting a very important message. One of the key words of our mission statement is inclusion making this awareness day a very apt one.”
Attachments
News
Donation to be made in memory of Johnny Batt
By Sean Moriarty Spa GAA remembered one of their most loyal members this week when his beloved club donated to a Kerry charity. Club stalwart Johnny Batt Cronin, who was steeped in Spa GAA club history, passed away in September 2019 after a battle with cancer. An outstanding footballer, he won seven O’Donoghue Cup medals […]
By Sean Moriarty
Spa GAA remembered one of their most loyal members this week when his beloved club donated to a Kerry charity.
Club stalwart Johnny Batt Cronin, who was steeped in Spa GAA club history, passed away in September 2019 after a battle with cancer.
An outstanding footballer, he won seven O’Donoghue Cup medals with Spa as well as a county Intermediate Championship medal in 1974 and a County League Division One title two years later.
He was also a member of the star-studded East Kerry divisional side that won the inaugural All-Ireland Club Championship in 1971.
When he hung up his boots, Johnny trained and coached many underage teams and was honoured with a hugely deserved lifetime achievement award by his beloved Spa GAA Club in 2015.
He was also a champion card player, winning the Spa Championship of Kerry 31 Card Drive on two occasions.
After his passing, Spa GAA wanted to run a 31 Card Drive in his memory and to raise funds for the Oncology Department in University Hospital Kerry.
The Card Drive was postponed on several occasions due to the pandemic – and while some of the earlier rounds were completed by early 2020 – it was not possible to complete the competition that has now been cancelled completely due to ongoing crowd gathering concerns.
“A number of teams had entered this Card Drive competition (two people per team) and it started in early 2020 and most but not all of the early rounds did get played,” club PRO, Deirdre O’Sullivan Darcy, said.
“When COVID-19 hit they delayed the next stages of the competition.”
Nevertheless, teams had paid entry fees and it was decided to handover the funds raised to the Comfort for Chemo charity at the Oncology Department in University Hospital Kerry.
Members of the organising team met this week to reveal the winners of spot prizes had the event gone ahead. The money will be handed over next week to the charity when the final amount is totalled.
“They kept delaying and postponing but at this point have decided to cancel it completely and make the donation for the money that was collected at the time,” added Deirdre.
WINNERS
The prize-winning teams are:
€100 voucher for the Great Southern Killarney: John Kerins and Tim McCarthy
€100 voucher for the Great Southern Killarney: Con Lynch and Alan Cronin
€100 voucher for the Great Southern Killarney: Finbarr Godfrey and Tim Regan
€50 voucher (each) for Killarney Carpet & Furniture Centre: Seanie Kelliher and Connie Doolan
Bottle of whiskey and bottle of wine: Peter Cahill and Barry Duggan
The club also thanked event sponsors: Skellig Hotel Dingle, Kennelly’s Pharmacy, Hegarty’s Spar Muckross Road, Daly’s SuperValu, Killarney Oil, O’Leary’s Electrical, Paul Herlihy Contractor, Liam Chute, Killarney Oaks Hotel and Bowler’s Centra.
Attachments
Staff and students highlight important message
By Michelle Crean Local students went to great efforts on Friday last to highlight a very important message about inclusion....
Donation to be made in memory of Johnny Batt
By Sean Moriarty Spa GAA remembered one of their most loyal members this week when his beloved club donated to...
New Road traffic meeting deferred
By Sean Moriarty Killarney Gardai hope to host a meeting to discuss traffic problems in the New Road area as...
New Street shop is sure to delight wine fans
If you’re a wine fan then there’s good news as a new shop which specialises in all kinds of wines...
Relegation battle has town divided
By Sean Moriarty This is bigger than the county final itself – with the main prize on offer being bragging...
68% of fans say penalty shootouts ‘not right’ for Gaelic football
by Adam Moynihan Local Gaelic football supporters are largely against the practice of deciding matches with penalty shootouts, a poll...
Our multisport youngsters are burned out and stressed out
by Charlie O’Neill In the past few weeks I’ve had the pleasure of returning to coaching a feisty and passionate...
CONFIRMED: Crokes and Legion set for Fitzgerald Stadium showdown
by Adam Moynihan December is almost upon us and there has been a noticeable turn in the weather this past...
How should we spell the names of Kerry’s top GAA clubs?
by Adam Moynihan Here’s a trivia question for you. Four teams remain in the Kerry Senior Football Championship. Spell their...
Crokes aiming to kill three birds with one stone
by Adam Moynihan After a disappointing run in this year’s Club Championship, Dr Crokes’ senior status appeared to be in...
