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Macra members continue their activities

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MOVING ONLINE: Killarney Macra members, pictured enjoying a walk in Kilcummin before the Level 5 restrictions, are continuing their interactions online.

By Michelle Crean

COVID may have put a halt to their many meet ups but Killarney Macra members are continuing their interactions - albeit online for now.

Whilst 2020, so far, has not granted most people the usual opportunities to socialise, the club has been working hard to promote its community spirit and create a positive communication space for young people.

The Killarney branch of Macra na Feirme was re-established in 2016 and was created to support the social, cultural and personal well-being of young people and adults who have a rural connection. Since then the club has gone from strength to strength, winning many awards in Macra hosted talent shows and sports events. Hikes, nights out, quizzes, farm visits, workshops and mystery tours are just some of the brilliant activities that have taken place over the years. Members have also dedicated many hours to organising and holding charity fundraisers, such as a jive dance night in 2019, in aid of the palliative care unit in University Hospital Kerry.

During the summer, the club organised various hikes in the county, such as Torc and Kilcummin, whilst also holding weekly outdoor sports events in Killarney. In Level 2 restrictions, several members were able to take part in, and win, the county round of a Macra bowling tournament.

ONLINE ALTERNATIVES

This year, Killarney Macra have been adapting to the restrictions that COVID-19 regulations have placed on its usual schedule of events, by setting up imaginative online alternatives when necessary. They generated lots of engagement amongst their members when a photography competition was held in April, and another competition is set to take place later this month. Many of the club participants have joined in for Zoom quizzes and game nights; often playing the very popular ‘Among Us’.

“It’s been a great opportunity to get to know more of the Killarney Macra members and keep in touch with people who we haven’t been able to meet up with,” club member and Social Officer, Rory O’Connor, said.

Killarney Macra will continue to offer a diverse range of events that meet the interests of its young members. Over the coming months they will continue to promote their interaction with other Macra groups, as well as hosting games nights, quizzes, competitions and a book club. Killarney Macra hosts monthly online meetings via Zoom and it is a great way to make new friends, share ideas and have a bit of craic!

Killarney Macra na Feirme is open to all young people over 17, and it not restricted to those from farming backgrounds.

More information on the club can be found on their Facebook page, Instagram account or the Macra na Feirme website.

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Five local postmen retire with 185 years service

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Five local postmen retire with 185 years service

RETIREMENT NIGHT: Pictured at the retirement party held at Killarney Racecourse on Saturday, October 3, celebrating a combined 185 years of service with An Post, are Connie Brady, James Foley, Terry Potts, Pat Cronin, and D.J. Cahill.


Five well-known local postmen celebrated their retirement at a special function held at Killarney Racecourse on Saturday night, October 3.


The event brought together current and former An Post colleagues to mark the combined total of 185 years of service delivered across Killarney and surrounding areas.
Delivery Services Manager Terry Potts retired after 43 years with An Post. He began his career in Dublin, where he worked for 10 years, before moving to Killarney in 1993 for a further 33 years.
Pat Cronin completed an impressive 51 years of service between Killarney and Farranfore, spending 44 of those years delivering post on the Farranfore route.
James Foley served 35 years with An Post, delivering on routes across Killorglin throughout his entire career.
D.J. Cahill marked 32 years of service based out of Killarney post office, delivering mail across Killarney town, Killorglin, Kilcummin, and Headford.
Connie Brady retired following 24 years with the postal service, spending 17 years in Killarney town before completing his service in Killorglin.
The celebration offered local postal staff an opportunity to gather and catch up ahead of the busy Christmas rush.

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New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

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A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

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