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McDonald’s funding to help young people gain employability skills

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McDonald’s in Kerry is supporting the local Kerry Diocesan Youth Service (KDYS) in Killarney and Tralee as part of a nationwide skills and employment initiative.

In partnership with the Irish Youth Foundation, McDonald’s Youth Opportunity Ireland programme, which was launched earlier this year, is providing €200,000 to youth organisations across Ireland. The programme will enable these groups to deliver specialised training and mentorship opportunities for 2,000 young people by 2023.

The community-focused McDonald’s Youth Opportunity Ireland programme is supporting young people between the ages of 15 and 24 nationally, who are experiencing disadvantage and aims to empower them with the skills, training and mentorship they need to access the employment market.

In the first year of the programme, the funding will enable 13 grassroots youth organisations across Ireland to deliver targeted youth employability programmes. Kerry Diocesan Youth Service was selected to receive funding in the programme’s first year.

Kerry Diocesan Youth Service works directly with young people in Kerry who are not currently in education, employment or training to provide through its unique RICE Programme, using informal educational methodologies, that has the primary objective of assisting young people aged 17 to 20 to develop four, essential life-skills: Resilience, Independence, Communication and Employability related qualities.

“At Kerry Diocesan Youth Service we work closely with the young people in Killarney and Tralee to give them the support and training they need to enter the jobs market," Gareth Hartveld from Kerry Diocesan Youth Service said.

"The funding we have received from the McDonalds Youth Opportunity Programme is crucial, as it enables us to reach more young people in our community.”

Martin Hoban, McDonald’s Kerry Franchisee, added that “McDonald’s is passionate about providing training and development opportunities to its people".

"That is why we have established the McDonald’s Youth Opportunity Ireland programme with the Irish Youth Foundation. Kerry Diocesan Youth Service does exceptional work with young people throughout Kerry and I have seen first-hand the impact that this has had. McDonald’s is delighted to be supporting them.”

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Kerry FC launches pop-up shop at Kerry Airport

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Kerry FC has announced the extension of its lead sponsorship deal with Kerry Airport Ireland for the entire 2026 season.

To mark the news, the club has opened a pop-up Christmas shop located in the Arrivals Hall of Kerry Airport, which opened on Tuesday, this week.


The new Kerry FC kits for the upcoming season have arrived in time for Christmas and are available for purchase at the pop-up shop and online.

The new home kit is green with a white and gold stripe, while the away kit features black with a gold-plated crest and trim.


Basil Sheerin, Chief Financial Officer of Kerry Airport Ireland, expressed pride in continuing the partnership. “The Kerry FC story is one of success and community spirit with the entire county uniting behind the club since it was established,”

Mr. Sheerin said. He noted that the increasing level of performance, particularly during the run to the FAI Cup Semi-Final against eventual winners Shamrock Rovers, has inspired fans of all ages.


“Kerry Airport recognises the crucial role that sport plays in bringing communities together… We are proud to play our part by extending our sponsorship of Kerry FC and we are looking forward to working closely with the club in 2026,” Mr. Sheerin concluded.


Jerseys are on sale now from the club’s website at https://kerryfc.com/shop. Full details of fixtures and Season Tickets are available from www.KerryFC.com.

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Dr Crokes’ festive community initiatives

Dr Crokes GAA Club, a recent Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club Honours 2025-2027, has announced a detailed programme of community initiatives for the Christmas season. The club […]

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Dr Crokes GAA Club, a recent Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club Honours 2025-2027, has announced a detailed programme of community initiatives for the Christmas season.

The club continues to host Kathleen’s Gentle Mobility Exercises, a popular Age Action initiative led by retired PE teacher Kathleen Fitzgerald. The hour-long sessions, which cater to 40 adults every Tuesday, include music and social time with coffee and cake. While the winter programme concludes this week with a Christmas party, the spring sessions are scheduled to begin early in 2026.
Members of the Healthy Club committee are also carrying out visitations to all families in the community who were bereaved during 2025. During these visits, members deliver special Christmas cards and greetings designed by the club’s Juvenile Academy players.
The club is also maintaining its connection with the Crokes Diaspora by sending bespoke Christmas greeting cards to members living or working abroad who cannot return home for the holidays. This initiative allows local members to supply greetings to the Healthy Club to ensure personal links with home are re-established.
The schedule of events concludes with the Lap of Light Celebration on Saturday, December 27. Families who suffered a bereavement in 2025 are invited to assemble at Dr Crokes’ Park at 4:30 pm for a candlelight reflection with live music. This will be followed by laps of the grounds under the theme of “Darkness into Light,” with participants encouraged to wear high-visibility clothing and club colours while using torches or mobile phones for illumination. The evening will finish with refreshments and music in the clubhouse

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