News
Lissivigeen pupils have the “write stuff”
Lissivigeen National School pupils enjoyed a creative treat last Friday when they were visited by children's author Olivia Hope for a series of writing workshops to help inspire them.
Fourth, Fifth and Sixth classes participated in activities around character creation, story development and storyboarding, all in keeping with the Irish folklore tradition and featuring spooky púcas and local landscape.
Olivia also gave them an insight into her own storytelling journey and how the Killarney author came to be with the same publisher as JK Rowling. She spoke with enthusiasm about finding story ideas and inspiration all around her.
Olivia said that she prefers to show children how to make stories, not just write them down, by highlighting the importance of children being able to tell their stories in a variety of ways, not just writing, but also through drawing, film, song and any art form that appealed to them. She says that we are encouraging pupils to be writers, film-makers, animators and artists, because, as she reminded them, "It’s your story, so you have to tell it in your own unique way".
Olivia, who currently works at Siamsa Tíre as a creative learning assistant, also gave pupils a behind-the-scenes insight into how she came to write the Samhain folklore tale for the highly anticipated art exhibition for children at Siamsa Tíre, 'A Way Home/Slí Abhaile'. Her visit also included a sneak preview of some of the art that will be displayed as part of the exhibition which launched yesterday (Thursday).
The classes and their teachers certainly have a story or two to tell after Olivia Hope’s visit.
Olivia Hope’s debut 'Be wild, Little One', illustrated by Daniel Egneus, will be published by Bloomsbury on May 12, 2022, and is available for pre-order in all bookshops.
TFI Anseo demand-responsive transport pilot extended
The National Transport Authority (NTA) and TFI Local Link Kerry have announced an extension of the TFI Anseo pilot service in Killarney following a successful first year of operation.
Funded through the Climate Action Fund as part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, the demand-responsive bus service has supported over 82,000 passenger journeys since launching on August 11, 2025. The extension will allow the service to continue operating while a final evaluation report is compiled for December 2026.
The pilot allows passengers to book flexible trips for work, healthcare appointments, shopping, and social visits across the Killarney area.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien welcomed the extension, stating:
“I am very pleased to see the TFI Anseo pilot service being extended following its highly successful first year. The sheer number of passenger journeys recorded shows that the local community have embraced this innovative service, which truly puts the passenger at the heart of the journey. Extending the pilot allows us to continue learning how to provide practical transport solutions that encourage sustainable and inclusive travel.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer, noted that local feedback from business owners and residents demonstrates a strong vote of confidence in demand-responsive transport for rural communities.
NTA CEO Anne Shaw confirmed the pilot has operated within budget while providing key insights into future rural public transport. Over the autumn months, the NTA will conduct customer satisfaction surveys to gather further feedback from local passengers.
RTÉ News appoints new Cork and Kerry reporter
RTÉ News has announced that Barry Gallagher will take up the role of regional news journalist for Cork, Kerry, and the wider Southern region starting this August.
Gallagher will work alongside RTÉ News’ Southern Editor Paschal Sheehy, reporting across television, radio, online, and social media platforms. He succeeds veteran broadcaster Jennie O’Sullivan, who retired in May following a 25-year reporting career with RTÉ in the region.
Gallagher joined RTÉ in 2023 as a presenter for news2day before moving on to report across flagship programs, including the Six One News, Nine O’Clock News, and Morning Ireland. His coverage has spanned major national stories, including the 2024 Olympic Games, All-Ireland Hurling Finals, and Storm Chandra.
Originally from Gartan, County Donegal, Gallagher studied journalism at D
TFI Anseo demand-responsive transport pilot extended
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