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Killarney Valley Athletics Club shines in record-breaking 2024 season

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Killarney Valley Athletics Club has set a new benchmark for excellence in 2024, achieving unprecedented success in national and regional competitions.

The club's athletes have garnered a remarkable 55 national medals and 128 Munster medals, setting a new record for the club. This extraordinary haul is a testament to the dedication, skill, and hard work of the athletes and coaches alike.

One of the standout features of this year has been the performance of the club's relay teams. Killarney Valley Athletics Club has had seven relay teams compete at the national level, showcasing their strength in teamwork and coordination.
This achievement highlights the club's depth of talent and its ability to compete at the highest levels of Irish athletics.

The club's men’s senior 4x 400 relay team placed second in the national senior indoor championships and the U20 mixed 4 x 400 team were crowned national champions whilst setting a national championships record.

The club is also celebrating the crowning of ten national champions in 2024.

These champions have excelled across a range of disciplines, underlining the club's versatility and comprehensive training programs.

The disciplines in which the club has achieved national medals are diverse, including all jumps—long jump, high jump, triple jump, pole vault—as well as all sprints from 60 meters to 400 meters, and middle-distance events up to 1500 meters.

This breadth of success speaks to the club's commitment to nurturing talent across all track and field events.

Killarney Valley Athletics Club's athletes have consistently represented Ireland on the international stage since 2017. This year, Dominik Wasila has continued this proud tradition by being selected for Irish International representation in the long jump.

Wasila's achievement underscores the club's role in developing athletes who can compete and excel at the highest levels of international athletics.

In addition to their competitive success, the club's athletes have been recognized for their academic and athletic potential.

Several athletes have secured full athletics scholarships, furthering their education and training at prestigious institutions. Most recently, Oisin Lynch has taken up a scholarship at Adams State University in Colorado, joining the ranks of Killarney Valley athletes who have gone on to combine higher education with elite athletic training.

Looking to the future, Killarney Valley Athletics Club has set ambitious goals to enhance its facilities and support its growing membership.

The club is planning to build a dedicated pole vault training area, providing athletes with the specialized infrastructure needed to excel in this challenging discipline.

This new facility will be a significant asset, allowing for more focused and effective training sessions.

Additionally, the club is launching a fundraising campaign to maintain and repair its well-used athletics track as well as finance the building of the Pole Vault area.

The track is experiencing significant wear and tear due to heavy usage, and continuous maintenance is essential to ensure it remains in top condition for training and competition.

The club is seeking community support to build up a fund dedicated to these repairs and the Pole Vault construction, ensuring that athletes have access to high-quality training surfaces for years to come.

“The achievements of Killarney Valley Athletics Club in 2024 are a source of immense pride for the club and the local community,” said coach Jer Griffin.

“The club's record-breaking year is a reflection of its robust coaching programs, the dedication of its athletes, and the unwavering support from the local community.

“As Killarney Valley Athletics Club continues to build on this success, it remains a beacon of excellence in Irish athletics, inspiring future generations of athletes to strive for greatness while investing in the infrastructure necessary to sustain its legacy.”

The link to the GoFundme to where contributions can be made is https://www.gofundme.com/fundraise-to-build-our-polevault-runway

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Cllrs demand meeting with HSE property officials

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Killarney councillors are seeking an urgent face-to-face meeting with the HSE to prevent the town’s health infrastructure from falling into further decay.

At Wednesday’s Municipal District meeting, Cllr Maura Healy-Rae raised a motion calling for clarity on the HSE’s long-term plans for its significant property holdings within the town.


The focus of the concern is the sprawling St Finan’s Hospital site, which has been lying derelict since the facility closed its doors in 2012.


Despite sitting on prime land, the Victorian structure has remained idle for 14 years with no progress on redevelopment.


While the new Community Nursing Unit has been built on a portion of the St Finan’s grounds, the vast majority of the historic site continues to deteriorate.


The concern among local representatives is that a “domino effect” of dereliction could follow once the new hospital eventually opens.


When residents are transferred to the new unit, both the existing Killarney District Hospital and the St Columbanus Home (the proposed new home for a minor injuries unit) will be vacated.
Cllr Healy-Rae and her colleagues are demanding guarantees that these buildings will not suffer the same fate as St Finan’s.


Without a clear strategy from the HSE, there are fears that Killarney could be left with multiple large-scale derelict sites in prominent locations, rather than seeing these buildings repurposed for housing, community use, or further healthcare needs.

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Maggie’s Montessori supports National Pyjama Day

The usual morning routine was swapped for slippers and dressing gowns at Maggie’s Montessori last Friday as the children took part in the annual National Pyjama Day. The local event […]

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The usual morning routine was swapped for slippers and dressing gowns at Maggie’s Montessori last Friday as the children took part in the annual National Pyjama Day.

The local event was held in support of LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice, and Early Childhood Ireland’s Eco-Emotions project.
The theme for the day was “children helping children and having fun,” with the Killarney toddlers joining over 65,000 children nationwide in the massive fundraising drive. Since its inception in 2003, National Pyjama Day has raised more than €4.5 million to support developmental and wellbeing projects for young people across the country.
Funds raised during the day at Maggie’s will go directly toward LauraLynn’s Family Support Services. These services provide essential emotional, therapeutic, and practical care for children with palliative and complex needs, as well as their families.
Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland, noted that the day is a celebration of kindness and community. This sentiment was echoed by LauraLynn CEO Kerry McLaverty, who stated that the spirit of children helping their peers aligns perfectly with the mission of the hospice.

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