News
Language exemptions can impact college applications

Language exemptions are granted to students with specific learning difficulties affecting language acquisition and this can happen in primary or secondary school.
Exemptions for college entry may also be granted to students who were born outside of Ireland or had a minimum amount of their education abroad. See www.nui.ie for details.
There can be some confusion around how language exemptions impact on college applications and it is very important that students and parents are clear on what they need to do at this stage to make sure that the CAO is aware of an exemption. Every year there are applicants who are disappointed on the day of the CAO First Round offers because they don’t receive an offer in spite having the required points. One of the reasons why this can happen is because an applicant has forgotten to process their language exemption. They often assume that having an exemption from language in school means that colleges and universities are aware of that, but this is not the case.
Some, but not all, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have general entry requirements regarding languages other than English and they are not the same in all colleges and universities. It is important to note that the language requirements are not in place for all programmes in these HEIs so it is really imperative that applicants check the general entry requirements and specific course requirements for the programmes they are applying for.
There are four universities that come under the National University of Ireland (NUI); UCC, UCD, Maynooth University and NUI Galway, as well as member institutions which include Royal College of Surgeons, St Angela’s College, Sligo and National College of Art and Design. To apply for exemptions from any NUI college you need to complete the relevant form which can be downloaded from www.nui.ie and post it back to NUI. It is recommended that you do this 21 days after opening your CAO account but if you haven’t done so, it is not too late. CAO are notified of the exemption by NUI and it should appear on your CAO account one month after being processed. To apply for language exemptions for courses in Trinity College (TCD), UL or Mary Immaculate College, you will need to contact the relevant Admissions Offices directly. Exemptions for TCD should appear on your CAO account by the end of May. You will receive a Statement of Application Record in May from CAO instructing you to check all your details including language exemptions, which are recorded in the Qualifications and Assessments section. If it is not there you will need to contact CAO immediately. CAO do not record exemptions granted by UL or Mary I so contact their Admission Offices directly for guidance.
Niamh Dwyer is a Guidance Counsellor in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, Rathmore, and Chairperson of the Kerry Branch of Guidance Counsellors. She is also a Career Consultant. For details see www.mycareerplan.ie.
News
Status Orange Weather Warning for Kerry
Met Éireann has issued two weather warnings for Kerry on Wednesday, 27 September, A Status Orange warning for heavy and intense rainfall is in place from 9am to 3pm while […]

Met Éireann has issued two weather warnings for Kerry on Wednesday, 27 September,
A Status Orange warning for heavy and intense rainfall is in place from 9am to 3pm while a Status Yellow warning for strong and gusty winds is in place from 7am on Wednesday to 12am on Thursday.
Possible impacts and disruptions include difficult travelling conditions, localised and coastal flooding, power outages, fallen trees and branches and poor visibility.
Kerry County Council is advising members of the public to prepare for severe weather on Wednesday and to ensure that items vulnerable to high winds are stored away. The Council is also advising motorists to travel with extreme caution on Wednesday and to expect surface water and spot flooding on all routes.
News
World Rally Champion Phil Mills’ Killarney visit
Former World co-driving champion Phil Mills will be one of the guests of honour at a special Killarney and District Motor Club event next month. The club is celebrating Prodrive’s […]

Former World co-driving champion Phil Mills will be one of the guests of honour at a special Killarney and District Motor Club event next month.
The club is celebrating Prodrive’s association with the Rally of the Lakes on October 14.
The legendary British motorsport preparation firm was responsible for building some of the most iconic associated with the local rally.
The celebration, which will raise funds for the Jack and Jill Foundation, will be hosted by the voice of Irish motorsport Alan ‘Plum’ Tyndall.
Welshman Mills, who won the 2003 World Rally Championship, alongside Petter Solberg has confirmed his attendance at the Killarney Racecourse-based event.
He is just one of many superstars attending the showcase.
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“Accompanying the stars will be a collection of iconic Prodrive machinery, ranging from the BMW E30 M3, all the way through to the Subaru Group A and World Rally Cars the 1990s and early 2000s,” said Killarney and District Motor Club vice chairman and organiser Mike Shea.
“All proceeds of this event will go directly to the Jack & Jill foundation helping provide support and special care to children across the country and is a once in a lifetime event.”
This event is in association with: Lyons of Limerick; C.Wharton Tool Hire Ltd; BG Motors Ltd; Castleisland Tyre Centre; Aherns Motor Group; Reen’s Rathmore Peugeot; KC Print and Moriarty’s Central Car Sales
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