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Local families at risk of homelessness

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Fourteen families in Killarney are at risk of homelessness after eviction notices were issued.
The termination letters were sent by Xerico Ltd., a foreign landlord registered in Cyprus.

Every home in the Loreto Convent Estate has been served with a Notice of Termination which will make more than 40 people homeless. This includes infants, schoolchildren and people with disabilities.

The residents have set up a petition on change.org to fight against the eviction. ( Petition · Prevent a Mass Eviction by a Foreign Landlord – Protect Families and Killarney’s Heritage - Ireland · Change.org)

13 children currently attend the local national school, some of those students require additional supports.

Three of those students are looking to apply to secondary schools, however now they don’t know where to go.

For years, the neighbours have built a small, supportive community which is now under threat due to the eviction notices.

If the families are forced to move elsewhere, local businesses will lose also their employees.
Dorota Kowalczyk has lived in the estate for ten years and she described the situation as “very hard”.

“It’s a terrible thing to happen. We worry about it every day, especially for our children. We have loved living here; we love our neighbours. We looked after each other during Covid, we have barbecues, we celebrate birthdays, it’s our home.” She told the Killarney Advertiser.

The neighbours received their letters in stages, some in June and July. Dorota’s letter arrived in the mailbox at the end of September.

Ms Kowalczyk explained her life is in Killarney and she doesn’t want to go elsewhere, however it’s impossible to find a place to rent in the town.

In the current housing climate, Killarney faces a huge crisis, with limited stock available and soaring rents.

The residents say that forcing dozens more people into homelessness is not just unethical, it damages the towns stability and economy.

The families are calling on Kerry County Council and Killarney authorities to act immediately.

They believe the situation can be resolved by a Tenant-in-Situ purchase, an Approved Housing Body partnership or any other available mechanism.

They are urging the council to protect their families, safeguard their community, support local businesses and preserve Killarney’s heritage.

It is not the first time that the Cypriot property company has evicted several tenants.

The Dublin Inquirer reported last October that RTB figures revealed that tenants of Xerico Ltd. were issued eviction notices at a much higher rate than other landlords.

They also found that 191 eviction notices were issued in 2023, with a chunk of them cited as Part 4 tenancy ending.

The Killarney Advertiser has contacted the Home Club and Xerico Ltd. for comment.

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Angland family celebrate Munster Fleadh triumph

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Angland family celebrate Munster Fleadh triumph


Glenflesk CCE and the local traditional music community are celebrating a major haul of silverware following the Angland family’s outstanding performances at the Munster Fleadh Cheoil in Lismore, County Waterford.


Siblings Colleen, Olivia, Seán, and Grace Angland earned a impressive collection of provincial titles, podium finishes, and All-Ireland qualification spots across multiple music, singing, and dancing disciplines.
Seán Angland delivered a stellar run in the 12-15 category, taking first place in the Melodeon alongside second-place finishes in Piano, Accompaniment, and Mouth Organ. He also secured second place in both the Duet and Trio competitions alongside his sister Olivia and Aoife Hobbert of Lixnaw CCE.
Olivia Angland added to the family success with third-place finishes in both the 12-15 Fiddle and Lilting competitions. She also excelled on the dance floor, winning first place in the 12-15 Mixed Set Dance and third in the Ladies Set Dance with Killarney CCE.
In the 15-18 age group, Colleen Angland secured double silver with second-place finishes in both the Flute Slow Airs and Whistle Slow Airs. Colleen, Olivia, and Seán also joined forces as members of the Cork-based Baile Átha an Spidéil Grúpaí Ceoil (15-18) to take third place in a competitive field.
Meanwhile, Grace Angland earned second place with the An Ríocht Senior Grúpaí Ceoil. The achievement sees Grace return to the All-Ireland stage in Belfast, following her national title win in Senior Piano at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann last year.

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Local musicians and dancers head for Belfast All-Ireland Fleadh

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Local musicians and dancers head for Belfast All-Ireland Fleadh

Musicians, singers, and dancers from both the Killarney and Kilcummin branches of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann are heading to Belfast this weekend for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann following major success at the Munster Fleadh in Lismore, County Waterford.


The All-Ireland competition runs from August 2 to August 9, with competitors from across the two local parishes travelling north to compete on the national stage.
Kilcummin CCÉ enjoyed an outstanding provincial tournament across music, language, and dancing. Eoin Foley claimed a Munster title in the 15 to 18 Button Accordion, while Micheál Healy took gold in the Over 18 Melodeon alongside a third-place finish in the button accordion. Brynn McCarthy secured her spot in Belfast after qualifying in Comhrá Gaeilge for 9 to 11 age group, while also picking up third place in Under 12 English Singing.
Dancers from the Moriarty School of Dancing dominated the set dancing competitions in Lismore, winning five Munster titles across Under 12 Ladies, Under 12 Mixed, Under 18 Ladies, Over 18 Mixed, and Over 35 Ladies. These five sets now join four previously qualified Kilcummin sets—the Over 18 Mixed, Ladies, and Half sets, along with the Over 35 Mixed—bringing a total of nine set dancing teams from the parish to the Belfast finals under trainers Adrian, John, and Mary Moriarty.
Killarney CCÉ members also celebrated a highly successful provincial championship, securing a haul of Munster titles and top-three qualification spots across various music, singing, dancing, and Irish language categories.

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