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Local SVdP to help over 500 families this Christmas

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BY MICHELLE CREAN

Kind-hearted St Vincent de Paul volunteers are this week working flat out every day preparing over 500 food hampers in time for Christmas - to those in need in South Kerry - including 300 in the Killarney area alone.

Food, fuel, toys and clothes are high on the priority list for most, and those affected include all ages from families to older people, as well as single people living alone.

According to the newly released data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) this week, nearly 16 percent of households in Ireland were at risk of poverty in 2017.

This week, Bridget O’Shea, SVdP President of the Killarney area which includes two conferences in Killarney town, Firies, Rathmore, Boherbue, Millstreet, Kenmare and Castletownbere, said the charity is inundated with calls for help - especially at this time of the year.

Over the last few weeks Bridget and her team of dedicated volunteers have been putting together food hampers mainly made up of non-perishable items, wrapping toys for babies and young children, gathering together new items of clothing also for the children, organising vouchers for those aged 10 to teens, and donating food vouchers to families which will allow them buy fresh food days before Christmas.

“All the conferences have been working flat out,” Bridget told the Killarney Advertiser.

“They are inundated with calls for food, fuel and toys. Heating is a huge issue and calls for fuel are way up.”

She added that there’s a poverty out there that people aren’t seeing.

“Our thing is to put food on the table. There is an absolute increase in calls this time of year from struggling families, single and older people living alone feeling lonely and isolated, and those of different nationalities.

“There’s a lot of middle class people that are too proud to ask but that’s changing a little bit.”

She said that the charity has received huge support from local businesses, schools and individual people over the last few weeks.

“We want to thank all our fundraisers. We had a lot of companies in town who donated boxes of food, hotels did giving trees and schools donated toys. We wouldn’t be able to manage without the generosity of the benefactors.”

 

[caption id="attachment_24166" align="aligncenter" width="5184"] Volunteers with St Vincent de Paul are this week busy putting together and delivering food hampers to over 500 families and individuals in the Killarney/South Kerry areas in time for Christmas Day. Pictured were: Bridget O'Shea (President of SVdP Killarney Area), Patricia Lyne ((Secretary of the Killarney Area), Breda Dwyer (President of St Bridget's Conference), Dymphna Horgan (SVdP Member) and Mary Healy (Treasurer).[/caption]

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Boxing brothers aim for European Championship

Killarney boxing brothers, Jamesie and Pa Casey, have their sights set on representing Ireland at the upcoming European championships after a successful spring in the ring. Both national champions for […]

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Killarney boxing brothers, Jamesie and Pa Casey, have their sights set on representing Ireland at the upcoming European championships after a successful spring in the ring.

Both national champions for 2025, the talented siblings are in preparation for crucial national competitions. Pa is gearing up for the junior cadets in three weeks, while Jamesie will compete in the under-18 championships in July.

Victory in these national events would automatically earn both boys an invitation to the high-performance unit, bringing them a step closer to being selected for the Irish team heading to the European championships.

Both Jamesie and Pa follow a rigorous training schedule, working out six days a week, twice a day – before school and work in the morning, and again every evening.

They are currently in camp, preparing for their respective national competitions.

The brothers understand the commitment required at this level of boxing, describing it as a lifestyle demanding 100% dedication, including twice-daily training, healthy eating, weight management, strength and conditioning, running, sparring, and technical training.

The Casey brothers thanked Bobby Enright of Peak Performance Academy for strength and conditioning and nutrition guidance, ProActive Physiotherapy for their support and the coaches and volunteers at Sliabh Luachra Boxing Club

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Killorglin’s RDI Hub to hosts open week

The RDI Hub in Killorglin is inviting the public to an Open Week next week, from Monday, May 19 to Friday, May 23. They are encouraging people who are curious […]

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The RDI Hub in Killorglin is inviting the public to an Open Week next week, from Monday, May 19 to Friday, May 23.

They are encouraging people who are curious about what the hub offers, or anyone needing a different place to work for a day, to come and visit.
During the week, people can use a desk for free at any time. They can also stay for just an hour or for the whole day. There will be lunchtime events each day featuring guest speakers. On Friday, visitors can try out the Media Lab with free podcasting sessions, but booking ahead is needed for this. The hub offers a lively space where people can work together.
The lunchtime events include Chris Barrett talking about his Arctic journey on Monday, John Ryan from Gigable on business growth strategies on Tuesday, Gavin Henrick from Brickfield Labs discussing accessibility on Wednesday, Hugh Reynolds from the RDI Hub talking about online marketing on Thursday, and a VHI Wellness Station on Friday. The Media Lab will also be open on Friday for podcasting sessions.
Anyone interested in attending the Open Week is asked to sign up using this link: https://bit.ly/4jlJlD3.

Lunchtime Events During Open Week:

Monday 19: Chris Barrett – Journey to the Arctic on the Fjällräven Polar Expedition
An incredible story of resilience, adventure, and pushing boundaries.
Tuesday 20: John Ryan, Gigable – Go-to-Market Strategy Session
Practical strategies for launching and growing your business.
Wednesday 21: Gavin Henrick, Brickfield Labs – Tearing Down the Accessibility Barriers
Why accessibility matters and how to build inclusive digital experiences.
Thursday 22: Hugh Reynolds, RDI Hub Entrepreneur in Residence – Zero to Online Hero
Explore what happens when a community experiment meets digital marketing.
Friday 23: VHI Wellness Station
Close out the week with the VHI Wellness Station which will give you insights into Body Composition, Diabetes Risk and More!
Bonus Friday Activity:
🎙️ Open Media Lab Access and Complimentary Podcasting Sessions
Explore our new Media Lab and try out a mini podcasting session with expert support.
Sessions are free but must be pre-booked in advance – limited slots available!
For more information, you can contact Megan Daly Tyrrell at megan.dalytyrrell@rdihub.com.

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