News
Fun, laughter and plenty of dancing at annual showcase

The wonderful students of the Fiona Crowley Stage School took to the stage in the INEC on Tuesday and Wednesday night for their annual showcase.

High five from the Junior Class back stage at the INEC ahead of their outstanding performance with the Fiona Crowley Stage School on Tuesday and Wednesday evening. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

A great atmosphere back stage at the INEC for the senior group with Fiona Crowley Stage School who performed their own version of Legally Blonde on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

A hair raising rendition of 'Legally Blonde' at the INEC with the Fiona Crowley Stage School Show on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings were (left to right) Rachel Griffin Saoirse Casey Mia Griffin and Kate O'Leary. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Performing 'Legally Blonde' at the INEC as part of the Fiona Crowley Stage School Shows on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings were Rachel Griffin (left) and Saoirse Casey (right). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Sophie Marie Greene performs as nail technician Paulette in ‘Legally Blonde the Musical’ as part of the Fiona Crowley Stage School at the INEC on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

The finale of the Fiona Crowley Stage School shows at the INEC on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings the cast of ‘Legally Blonde The Musical'. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Emma Bartlett on stage at the INEC for the Fiona Crowley Stage School Show which took place on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Walking like Egyptian's the whole way across the stage at INEC on both Tuesday & Wednesday nights the junior class of the Fiona Crowley Stage School open the show with 'The Bangles' 'Walk Like an Egyptian'. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

All smiles back stage as the intermediate 7-12-year-olds prepare to showcase their version of ‘The Sound of Music’ with the Fiona Crowley Stage School Shows at the INEC on Tuesday and Wednesday evening. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Jumping for joy at the INEC on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings the Junior Class of the Fiona Crowley Stage School entertain their many friends and families with 'Walk Like an Egyptian'. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

All smiles on stage as the junior class perform ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ at the INEC the opening act at the Fiona Crowley Stage School on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

All smiles on stage as the junior class perform ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ at the INEC the opening act at the Fiona Crowley Stage School on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Clodagh O'Sullivan (right) as Maria is welcomed to the Von Trapp family home by the maids (left to right) Amelia Angland Hollie O'Sullivan Sophia Edwards Sarah Crowley and Sali Mai Collins in the Fiona Crowley Stage School performance of 'A Sound of Music' at the INEC. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

The first three notes just happen to be Do-Ra-Me! The Von Trapp children meet Maria in Fiona Crowley Stage School performance The Sound of Music at the INEC on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings L-R Caitlyn Lucey Erika Morse Ruby Greene Clodagh O"Sullivan Sophie Culloty Kaela Sheehan and Hazel O'Donnell. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

High five from the Junior Class back stage at the INEC ahead of their outstanding performance with the Fiona Crowley Stage School on Tuesday and Wednesday evening. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

A great atmosphere back stage at the INEC for the senior group with Fiona Crowley Stage School who performed their own version of Legally Blonde on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

A hair raising rendition of 'Legally Blonde' at the INEC with the Fiona Crowley Stage School Show on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings were (left to right) Rachel Griffin Saoirse Casey Mia Griffin and Kate O'Leary. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Performing 'Legally Blonde' at the INEC as part of the Fiona Crowley Stage School Shows on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings were Rachel Griffin (left) and Saoirse Casey (right). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Sophie Marie Greene performs as nail technician Paulette in ‘Legally Blonde the Musical’ as part of the Fiona Crowley Stage School at the INEC on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

The finale of the Fiona Crowley Stage School shows at the INEC on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings the cast of ‘Legally Blonde The Musical'. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Emma Bartlett on stage at the INEC for the Fiona Crowley Stage School Show which took place on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Walking like Egyptian's the whole way across the stage at INEC on both Tuesday & Wednesday nights the junior class of the Fiona Crowley Stage School open the show with 'The Bangles' 'Walk Like an Egyptian'. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

All smiles back stage as the intermediate 7-12-year-olds prepare to showcase their version of ‘The Sound of Music’ with the Fiona Crowley Stage School Shows at the INEC on Tuesday and Wednesday evening. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Jumping for joy at the INEC on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings the Junior Class of the Fiona Crowley Stage School entertain their many friends and families with 'Walk Like an Egyptian'. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

All smiles on stage as the junior class perform ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ at the INEC the opening act at the Fiona Crowley Stage School on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

All smiles on stage as the junior class perform ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ at the INEC the opening act at the Fiona Crowley Stage School on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Clodagh O'Sullivan (right) as Maria is welcomed to the Von Trapp family home by the maids (left to right) Amelia Angland Hollie O'Sullivan Sophia Edwards Sarah Crowley and Sali Mai Collins in the Fiona Crowley Stage School performance of 'A Sound of Music' at the INEC. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

The first three notes just happen to be Do-Ra-Me! The Von Trapp children meet Maria in Fiona Crowley Stage School performance The Sound of Music at the INEC on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings L-R Caitlyn Lucey Erika Morse Ruby Greene Clodagh O"Sullivan Sophie Culloty Kaela Sheehan and Hazel O'Donnell. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
The night was full of fun, laughter, dancing, singing and lots of talent as the students performed hits from musicals such as 'The Sound Of Music', 'Legally Blonde', 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' to name but a few .
“We are so immensely proud of all our wonderful students not just because of their obvious talent but also because of how hard they work to improve their performances every week and how kind they always are to their fellow performers. This is the true success of our shows. It is only by working as a team that any show can come to its fruition," Fiona Crowley said.
“We know we are lucky to do what we do and we also know we are so lucky to have such a wonderful group of students who come to our classes every week, some of whom have come for the last 14 years!"
To join the Fiona Crowley Stage School you can ring 085 1629445 or email fionastageschool@gmail.com.
News
Killarney and District Motor Club members honoured by Motorsport Ireland
By Cormac Casey Several members of Killarney and District Motor Club were honoured at the Motorsport Ireland awards lunch in Dublin on Wednesday. The highlight of the event is the […]

By Cormac Casey
Several members of Killarney and District Motor Club were honoured at the Motorsport Ireland awards lunch in Dublin on Wednesday.
The highlight of the event is the announcement of the sport’s top awards.
Kilkenny’s Jack Brennan (19) was named Young Rally Driver of the Year, while Wexford native Jack Byrne was named Young Racing Driver of the Year and the International Driver of the Year award went to recently crowned FIA Junior World Rally Champion, William Creighton.
Muckross-based co-driver Noel O’Sullivan was presented with his Irish Tarmac Rally Championship winning trophy.
This year saw the introduction of the Motorsport Ireland President’s Awards which celebrate the achievements of clubs and organisations.
Killarney and District Motor Club won in the innovation category for their work with their KDMC 2 initiative thanks to the efforts of the club’s vice chairman Mike O’Shea.
Rally Rescue teams were also recognised and the club’s Mike Cleary picked up an award for his role he played in what was a difficult year for rescue crew operators.
Tom O’Riordan, who looks after ambulance procurement on the club’s events, was presented with an FIA Volunteer Pin by Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper.
Killarney Advertiser Journalist Sean Moriarty was presented with an award for best use of of PR and media in 2023.
News
Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest ‘thank you’ event at Brehon
Participation in the 2023 Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest has grown by more than 100% since 2020 with 98% of those who gave feedback saying they would attend similar […]

Participation in the 2023 Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest has grown by more than 100% since 2020 with 98% of those who gave feedback saying they would attend similar events again in 2024.
Feedback from more than 100 people who attended this year’s Fest events from 7th to 14th October was positive with 91% stating they were satisfied.
The Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest is held annually over the course of a week to highlight World Mental Health Day on October 10.
It aims to raise awareness of the available supports and services in Kerry as well as empower people to engage with the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ through offering a dynamic and interactive programme of events.
99% percent of respondents, most of whom identified as female, said they would recommend the Fest to friends next year. Some key notes for improvement included a request for more events with wider variety throughout the county.
The Chair of the Interagency Steering Group, John Drummey from Kerry Mental Health Association, said: “We wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to event organisers, community groups, businesses, funders and partners that facilitated the Fest’s dynamic and interactive programme of events in 2023. We are encouraged to see such growth in numbers attending the Fest events with a 50% increase from 2022. We are already making plans for the Fest from 5 to 12t October 2024 and we are looking forward to building on this year’s successes. That said, there is always room for improvement and we would welcome suggestions for new events and activities.”
Many of the event organisers attended a ‘thank-you’ event at the Brehon Hotel, Killarney, courtesy of the Kerry Volunteer Centre to coincide with the annual International Volunteer Day, December 5.
The Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest was organised by an interagency steering group made up of local agencies that support wellbeing in our community.
The organising committee is a collaboration between Connecting for Life Kerry, Healthy Kerry, Kerry County Council, Kerry Recreation & Sports Partnership, the HSE, NEWKD, SKDP, Kerry Mental Health Association, Jigsaw Kerry, Munster Technological University/Kerry, KDYS, Kerry Volunteer Centre and Family Resource Centres throughout the county.