News
Fossa principal says farewell to school life

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By Michelle Crean
Friday was a final farewell to principal of Fossa National School after nine years inspiring both pupils and staff.
Pat Clifford, who believes in being kind and compassionate to bring out the best in pupils, saw many changes during his time including €1.9m of works at the school which saw construction of new classrooms and an astro turf from Department of Education grants through the hard work of the school's Board of Management, Parents Association, and staff.
Although last Sunday was his official retirement date after the mid-term break - Pat called to the school again today (Friday) where staff and pupils got a chance to wish him all the best for his new future.
He told the Killarney Advertiser that he was passionate about seeing pupils reach the best of their abilities with encouragement by a kind word every now and again.
"I really enjoyed my time there," Pat told the Killarney Advertiser. "I always pencilled in that I'd retire in my mid-50s. I believe that you do as well as you can for as long as you can. On Monday, the school's new principal John Burke began his first day I wish him all the best. Also, the Board of Management have been
very helpful and I deeply appreciate their help over the years."
CAREER
Pat began his teaching career in 1984 after graduating from St Pat's College in Dublin, beginning first in Rush, Co Dublin until he moved to Macroom in 1998 taking up the position as deputy principal until 2002. Then it was onto Spa National School just outside Tralee where he first took up a principal's role before moving to Annascaul National School again as principal. Then it was back home to Fossa where he worked as Principal for the last nine years.
And with retirement comes more time on his hands, but Pat says that he'll get involved with more work related to education.
"I have a few things in the pipeline, I'll do work with different educational institutions. At the moment it's time for sharpening the saw and reflecting."
And on his time as an educator he added that he hopes those he taught and their parents will remember him for his compassionate nature.
"Teachers and principals have an enormous capacity to have a profound effect on children, every interaction you have with a child makes a difference. The legacy I'd like to leave is that the children thought I was kind and caring."
News
Massive Park Road housing development given green light
A private developer has been given planning permission to build 249 new residential units at Upper Park Road. The development, which will be built on a recently cleared site near […]

A private developer has been given planning permission to build 249 new residential units at Upper Park Road.
The development, which will be built on a recently cleared site near An Post’s sorting office, will include a variety of properties from five-bed houses to single apartments, along with a crèche and over 500 car spaces and over 300 bike spaces.
The development has been welcomed by local councillor Martin Grady.
“Killarney has a massive housing shortage so this is very positive. It will retain young families in the area, stimulating economic growth,” he said. “After 17 years of different planning applications it’s finally coming to fruition.”
News
Ballydribeen residents living in fear due to anti-social behaviour
Residents in the Ballydribeen are living in fear as a result of increased anti-social behaviour in the estate. Several serious incidents in the estate have resulted in several Garda visits […]

Residents in the Ballydribeen are living in fear as a result of increased anti-social behaviour in the estate.
Several serious incidents in the estate have resulted in several Garda visits in the last week.
Local councillor Martin Grady told the Killarney Advertiser that residents are “living in fear” as a result of very serious incidents in the last week alone.
One house in the estate was badly damaged when fire crackers were placed inside a letter box.
Another house had its windows smashed in over the weekend.
“It’s a major problem,” added Grady after meeting residents there earlier this week.
One of the most serious incidents occurred on Tuesday night.
A passing motorists had rocks thrown at his car while driving along the bypass whch is adjacent to the estate.
Taking to social media, local primary-school teacher Pádraig O’Sullivan posted:
“Travelling home tonight, at 11.05pm on the Killarney side of the bypass our car was hit by a rock – not a pebble – from the Ballydribben side , which hit the passenger door.
“It was centimetres away from hitting the window where my father, who is visually impaired, was sitting.
“This could have caused catastrophic permanent injury to him.
“The Killarney Garda were on the scene within three minutes.
“They can’t be patrolling the bypass all night.
“It comes down to parenting. You should know where your children are at this hour and be able to teach them what’s funny and what ruin a person’s life or cause a fatal crash.“
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