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Free school books for Kerry primary schools

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Minister Foley announces payment of over €1.5 million in funding for free school books for Kerry primary schools.

Minister for Education and Kerry TD Norma Foley today announced payment of €1,557,504 to provide primary school children in Kerry with free school books.

The scheme will provide free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks for all pupils in primary and special schools.

Thereafter the grant should be used to eliminate costs of related classroom resources such as pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, colouring pencils and whiteboard markers.

As part of Budget 2023, Minister Foley secured over €50 million in a landmark decision to provide free schoolbooks to primary school pupils within the free education scheme from September 2023.

This free schoolbooks measure will eliminate the cost to families for all schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks at primary school, including special schools.

The free primary school books scheme will benefit more than 558,000 pupils in approximately 3,230 recognised primary schools, including over 130 special schools.

“Today schools in Kerry will receive over €1.5 million to provide free schoolbooks in all primary schools and special schools," Minister Foley said.

"This ground-breaking, permanent measure will ease some of the financial burden facing families with the back-to-school costs. The scheme will provide, at a minimum, free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks for all pupils enrolled in primary and special schools in the 2023/24 school year. By providing our primary school children with free school books, we are enhancing their educational experience, not just in the classroom but reaching out into the family home.”

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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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