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Free New Directions course for women thinking of returning to work

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A free programme for women who are thinking of returning to work or education, is starting in February in mid/south Kerry.

'New Directions' is run under the Programme for Employability Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) and has been successfully delivered in south Kerry five times (moving online during the pandemic) by the National Collective of Community Based Women’s Networks (NCCWN).

"'New Directions' is ultimately about increasing women's 'employability', this doesn't mean getting them a job next week, more about helping them identify how they can be more employable as they move forward in life, no matter where they are starting from," Cathy McKeefry, Coordinator of the Women's Collective South Kerry, said.

NCCWN takes a holistic approach and looks at where women are at, some may have children just starting preschool, school or college and find themselves not knowing what to do or where to go next.

Some may be women who have taken time out but don't want to return to previous work, want something new but don't know what. Some want to return to education but don't know how to go about it.

"We have run the course five successful times and have seen all circumstances," she said.

"We cover communication, assertiveness, identifying personal skills, goals, opportunities, life skills, job seeking skills, health and well-being, self-presentation, all in a women centred setting, from a women centred perspective, in a small group."

The programme will run on a Tuesday morning between the end of February and June and will cover 14 sessions. It will be delivered through a mix of in-person and Zoom.

It is entirely free and open to all women over 18 not currently on Unemployment Benefit. Lone Parent and Disability payments are eligible.

To register or for more information, please contact Cathy on 087 1462374.

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Céilí Mór will send ‘em home sweatin’

It will be a case of all around the house but mind the dresser at a traditional Céilí Mór which will be one of the real entertainment highlights of this […]

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It will be a case of all around the house but mind the dresser at a traditional Céilí Mór which will be one of the real entertainment highlights of this year’s St Patrick’s Festival in Killarney.

It will take place on the eve of the big feast day in the Killarney Great Southern and there will be a wonderful party atmosphere guaranteed on the night.
Providing the tunes will be the very highly regarded Uí Bhriaín Céilí Band and they promise to send everybody home sweating after what will be a memorable night for locals and visitors.
The March 16 céilí will commence at 9.00pm and continue right through until midnight and the admission for a wonderful night of pure Irish trad is just €10.00.
Bookings can be made on the festival website or patrons can pay at the door on the night.

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St Brendan’s student Aodhagan O’Sullivan crowned CPR champion

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Aodhagan O’Sullivan, a student at St Brendan’s College, Killarney, has been named the 2026 School CPR Challenge Champion.

The prestigious award was presented on Thursday, 26 February, during a large-scale event at the Gleneagle Hotel, where approximately 300 students from post-primary schools across the county gathered to compete for the title of “who can compress the best.”


Now in its fourth year, the event is organised by the Killarney Cardiac Response Unit (KCRU) Community First Responders.

The KCRU is a volunteer-led group that provides vital emergency response services to Killarney, Beaufort, Killorglin, Firies, Rathmore, and Kenmare.

The challenge focused on “Quality CPR” (QCPR), combining a high-stakes competition with practical life-saving training and the chance for students to engage directly with local emergency and community services.


The competition utilised advanced QCPR technology to measure the depth and rate of compressions, ensuring that students aren’t just learning the motions, but are performing life-saving techniques to a clinical standard.

Beyond the competitive element, the day served as an educational hub, highlighting the “chain of survival” and the importance of immediate bystander intervention in the event of a cardiac arrest.


The 2026 challenge was made possible through the support of the Vodafone Foundation, The Gleneagle Hotel, and First Aid Systems Ltd, alongside a variety of local sponsors. Organisers praised the enthusiasm of the 300 participants, noting that such events are essential for building a “heart-safe” community and equipping the next generation with the skills to save a life.

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