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Local organisation to mark its 50th year

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50 YEARS: Marie Linehan, Chief Executive, Kerry Parents and Friends Association and service user Denise Rideout are preparing to celebrate the organisation’s 50th anniversary this year.

By Sean Moriarty

Kerry Parents and Friends Association will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year with a range of events across the county including at its Killarney headquarters.

Kerry Parents and Friends Association (KPFA) was established in 1973 as a support to families of people with an intellectual disability. The Association, which has a service in The Old Monastery, Port Road, provides community based day, residential and support services for more than 250 adults countywide.

The 50th anniversary celebration will start with an event in Tralee tomorrow (Saturday) when KPFA officially opens its new service in Godfrey Place at 2pm.
The main celebration will take place on June 24 at its Port Road premises.
This event is open to families of people the association has helped over the years, supporters, current and former staff members and anyone who wants to celebrate one of most significant charities in the county.

“It will be a fun day for everyone, with food and drink stalls, cakes and crafts, and many more,” said Marie Linehan, Chief Executive, Kerry Parents and Friends Association.

“It is our way of saying thanks to the community for 50 years of support. We hope everyone will have a wonderful day.”

As well as celebrating its Jubilee, the June 24 event will also mark the official opening of a new sensory garden in its Port Road facility.

 

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Kerry Airport secures major funding boost

Kerry Airport has been allocated over €2.76 million under the new Regional Airports Programme 2026-2030. This significant funding will support a variety of essential projects at the Farranfore base, including […]

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Kerry Airport has been allocated over €2.76 million under the new Regional Airports Programme 2026-2030.

This significant funding will support a variety of essential projects at the Farranfore base, including the replacement of fire tenders and the implementation of new safety and security upgrades.
The capital investment is part of a wider €8 million package aimed at supporting regional connectivity and economic development across the country. For Kerry, the funding is seen as a vital step in ensuring the airport can meet future demand while maintaining its infrastructure.
Basil Sheerin, Chief Financial Officer at Kerry Airport, welcomed the announcement and acknowledged the support of local representatives.
“Kerry Airport is very grateful to the Minister for Transport and the Kerry-based members of Government Minister Norma Foley, and Michael Cahill TD as well as Deputies Michael Healy-Rae, Danny Healy-Rae and Pa Daly for their steadfast support,” Mr Sheerin said. ”The funding provided for both operational and capital expenditure has been critical to delivering investment to upgrade safety and security infrastructure.”

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Minister Niall Collins visits KCYS Youth Diversion Project

Kerry Community Youth Service (KCYS) was pleased to welcome Minister Niall Collins to its Youth Diversion Project in Kilarney last week. The visit gave the Minister an opportunity to meet […]

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Kerry Community Youth Service (KCYS) was pleased to welcome Minister Niall Collins to its Youth Diversion Project in Kilarney last week.

The visit gave the Minister an opportunity to meet staff and hear directly about the work of the Kerry Youth Diversion Project, including early intervention, family support, court accompaniment and wider youth justice practice across the county.
KCYS supports young people across a broad continuum of services in Kerry, from preventative and developmental youth work through to highly targeted interventions for young people and families facing significant challenge and complexity. The Youth Diversion Project forms an important part of that wider continuum of support.
Speaking following the visit, Seamus Whitty, CEO of KCYS, said:
“We were delighted to welcome Minister Collins to Kerry and to have the opportunity to give him a sense of the breadth and depth of the work being carried by the Youth Diversion Project here.
The Youth Diversion Project in Kerry is a strong and well-developed intervention, grounded in practice, informed by evidence, and marked by innovation in how it supports young people and families. It is part of a broader continuum of supports provided by KCYS, and it depends on strong collaboration across teams, services and community partners to make a real difference in people’s lives.
It is also important to acknowledge the Department’s continued commitment to youth justice. The policy direction in this area has been a progressive one, and that has created space for work of this kind to develop and respond to need in a meaningful way.”
The visit highlighted the scale and complexity of the work being carried by the KCYS team, and the importance of sustained investment in youth work responses for young people and families.

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