Kilcummin native and Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly has issued a fresh call to end the biannual clock change across Europe.

As clocks are set to move forward one hour tonight, the Kerry representative believes this should be the final time the practice occurs.

He is urging the Irish Government to use its upcoming EU Presidency to finally break the deadlock on the issue.

Kelly has led the European Parliament’s push for this reform for nearly seventeen years. He argues that the shift to brighter evenings is something the Irish public values for mental and physical health.

According to Kelly, the “grand stretch in the evenings” lifts the mood and encourages outdoor activity.

He described the twice-yearly switch as an outdated practice that no longer makes sense in a modern context.

The European Commission first proposed ending the change in 2018 after a public consultation showed 84 percent of 4.6 million citizens supported the move.

While the European Parliament backed the proposal in 2019, EU Member States have yet to reach a final agreement.

Kelly noted that a recent push by Denmark in late 2025 failed to resolve the matter, but he believes Irish leadership can provide the necessary political will.

Killarney Celtic set for €50,000 Erasmus+ exchange in Spain

Reigning Kerry champions Killarney Celtic FC are preparing to swap the Kingdom for Valencia this Easter as part of a major Erasmus+ Youth Mobility project.

A contingent of 30 players, coaches, and adults will travel to Spain for a week-long programme of social, physical, and cultural activities.
This marks the second time the club has secured funding through the National Agency Léargas, following a successful exchange to Italy in 2025. This year’s partnership was forged through the family of Nando Dominguez, a Spanish student who previously spent a year in Killarney as a beneficiary of the club’s youth programme.
The €50,000 project will see players from six Celtic teams, ranging from under-14 to under-17 levels, collaborate with Maristas College and local soccer club CFB Ciutat de Valencia.
“We are extremely grateful to Léargas for the training and opportunities they provided to our club to apply for this funding strand and make this exchange a really exciting prospect,” said Celtic chairman, Philip O’Callaghan.
Project manager and coach Davide Mosca, who led months of digital preparation with Spanish coordinator Fernando Torran, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative.
“The project represents a great opportunity for our young people to have life-enhancing experiences and to grow. Erasmus+ is a great programme and great credit is due to people like our local MEP Seán Kelly, who saw that it had potential beyond formal education,” said Davide.
“Although the application process can seem difficult, the training and support we got from Léargas was of huge value in building a funded project and we appreciate their assistance and encouragement,” he added.