News
New buses driving community living for St Mary of the Angels residents

Shopping, movies, gym sessions and overnight stays - new buses are allowing residents of St Mary of the Angels in Beaufort access the local community more regularly.
From horse riding and hairdressing appointments, to library visits and sports, more transport means more regular activities beyond their home. Skills teaching plays a big role in each of the community outings. The importance of road safety, the use of traffic lights, how to choose from a menu, or pay for an item in a shop - these are all independent skills people can practise and achieve in the community.
St Mary of the Angels was initially funded for one wheelchair accessible bus but it soon became apparent that with more transport, more residents could access activities outside of the campus. There are now three buses, which allows the Social and Recreational Service team to carry out leisure sampling activities for each of the residents.
DAY TRIPS
The additional transport affords the freedom to go on faraway day trips without clock-watching to get the bus back. The team have also been able to facilitate and commit to weekly community activities such as gym sessions, swimming at the community pool, beautician appointments, personal shopping, meals out and many more. Each outing is tailored to the wants and goals of the person.
The extra transport also supports the residents to go further afield for overnight trips. One resident, Tomas, went to Cork City for the night, visited Fota Wildlife Park, did some shopping and took in a movie and dinner. The pure joy that this trip alone brought to Tomas was easy to see. Previously, with only one bus, the other people that live with Tomas would have been house-bound for two days to allow this trip to happen.
Another resident, Reece, is supported by the Social and Recreational Service to attend the gym in Killarney each week for his personal training session with coaches, Connor and Stephen. Not only have these gym sessions contributed to his health, Reece has built a great rapport with his coaches and the other staff. He is known by name by the regulars that train at the same time as him.
These are just two examples of the many experiences that each individual now has, made possible by the new buses and the Social and Recreational Service. Goals for 2023 include numerous overnights for many residents, as well as community art classes and day trips!
HSE Cork Kerry Disability Services welcomed the allocation of once off national funding that allowed for these new buses.
"This funding has allowed us to update aged vehicles across a number of agencies in Cork and Kerry. St John of God Services received funding to purchase two extra vehicles for their day and residential services and what a difference it has made," Majella Daly, Head of Disability Services, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, said.
"You can see how much it has enhanced the lives of the residents. It gives them so much freedom and independence, as well as opening up a whole world of activities that adds meaning to their day. They get to meet new people, plan days out and integrate more into their local community. It's fantastic to see how the new buses have helped to change and improve lives."
News
Jessie Buckley to perform live on RTE this Friday 22nd September

This Culture Night, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh will present an hour-long live music and arts programme from Dún Lúiche in the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht at 7pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
Actress and singer Jessie Buckley has been added to the list of stellar musicians who will perform with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra on the night. Jessie will perform a special rendition of a Sinéad O’Connor song in tribute to the late artist.
Jessie commented: “I am very honoured to return to Culture Night 2023 to remember Sinéad O Connor with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Sinéad was such a huge influence on so many women in Ireland and across the world, her courage, her mind, her politics and her intense beauty and soul. She was a warrior to humanity. I remember hearing her for the first time and feeling her uncompromising need to connect and affect. Recognising what couldn’t be said and speaking it out loud. I am so grateful for all her fire and all her love. It is such a privilege to return to Ireland for RTÉ Culture Night in Donegal to sing a song of gratitude for Sinéad and her family and friends.”
Other artists performing with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra include The Murder Capital, R&B singer and 2FM Rising star Aby Coulibaly and Irish-based Ukrainian musician Olesya Zdorovetska.
Friday 22nd September, 7pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player
News
N22 Killarney to Faranfore road further delayed
The revealing of the preferred route corridor for the construction of the new Killarney to Farranfore road has been delayed – again. Four potential routes for the N22 Farranfore-Killarney project […]

The revealing of the preferred route corridor for the construction of the new Killarney to Farranfore road has been delayed – again.
Four potential routes for the N22 Farranfore-Killarney project were identified and were put out to public consultation in May 2021. These have now been whittled down to just one.
It was previously promised that the preferred route would be published late last year.
This dragged on in to the Spring and there is still no sigh of the preferred route being revealed.
A recent Kerry County Council meeting a council official explained that there are further funding requirements to allow the council complete various reports and investigations required before the road can move to its next phase.
-
Sport1 week ago
Kerry’s old dogs ready for Tyrone challenge in All-Ireland final
-
News6 days ago
Over 80 women car enthusiasts attend classic car show
-
Sport1 week ago
Almost impossible to look beyond East Kerry but Dingle are best placed to challenge
-
News6 days ago
Musical society ready to hit the high notes