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Fassbender returns to old school to help Christmas musical preparations

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By Sean Moriarty

Pupils from Fossa National School got the surprise of their lives on Tuesday as they prepared for their annual Christmas concert.

The school’s ‘Magical Musical Experience’ took place at Fossa Community Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday night.

Tuesday was the final rehearsal day at the school and Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender made a surprise visit to his former primary school to pass on tips and advice to the pupils ahead of their opening concert later that day.

The concert was a joint-venture between the school and The MACademy Performing Arts School.

Teaching staff and both Fossa National School and The MACademy worked closely for the last few weeks to prepare for the Christmas concert.

Deputy Principal Rosemary Moynihan was able to keep Fassbender’s appearance a secret until all 35 teaching staff and the pupils were in the assembly hall preparing for final rehearsals.

“He was a amazing, he chatted to everyone and allowed them time to speak and he listened to what they had to say,” she told the Killarney Advertiser.

“He give plenty of time to children in the Autistic Unit too. He listened to the rehearsals and sat down and sang Christmas songs with the children. It was beautiful. There was already an air of excitement in the school ahead of the concert but Michael brought the excitement to another crescendo.”

Mrs Moynihan paid tribute to the teaching staff and parents who worked so hard over the last few weeks to get the concert off the ground.

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Glenflesk GAA hosts cardiac screening clinic

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Glenflesk GAA hosts cardiac screening clinic


Glenflesk GAA Healthy Club recently welcomed the Dillon Quirke Foundation to run a cardiac screening clinic for its young members.


A total of 45 club players aged 12 to 18 underwent vital heart checks designed to promote early detection and heart health awareness among young athletes.
Medical personnel from Advanced Medical Services conducted the screenings with professionalism and care, while the club’s Healthy Club Team oversaw the smooth operation of the event.
The Dillon Quirke Foundation operates without government funding, relying entirely on public support to raise awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) and provide non-cost cardiac clinics to sports clubs across Ireland.
Glenflesk GAA encourages anyone wishing to support the foundation’s ongoing screening work to consider making a donation online at dillonquirkefoundation.com.

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Traditions past and present meet at Muckross School House

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Two distinct eras of Irish storytelling collided at Muckross School House last week, showcasing how traditional culture adapts across generations for National Heritage Week 2026.

Representing the classic lineage of Irish folklore, renowned local historian, musician, and seanchaí Dáithí Collopy delivered an authentic masterclass in old-school storytelling.

Performing alongside his children Sadhbh, Siún, and Daithí Óg, Collopy relied on the ancient oral tradition to captivate the audience through spoken word, presence, and music.


Contrastingly, social media creator Eoin Reardon brought traditional heritage into the modern digital age.

Known for sharing his traditional green woodworking craft with millions online, Reardon hosted a hands-on workshop demonstrating traditional utensil crafting techniques while engaging attendees through the lens of modern storytelling.


The events brought together two completely different methods of preserving Irish heritage—one rooted in the timeless art of the fireside seanchaí, the other leveraging modern platforms like TikTok to keep historic skills relevant for a global, digital audience.


Photos: Valerie O’Sullivan.

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