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No drama until go ahead from Government

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By Michelle Crean

A well-known local performing arts teacher - who says there's no clear guidance or roadmap for reopening in line with other businesses and industries - is to join a national day of action on Monday.

Lily MacMonagle, who runs The MACademy, a musical community for children, will be one of many, including her own dance, singing and drama teachers, from the sector to protest outside Cork Opera House at 11am.

The event 'Curtain Up' is organised by Performing Arts Educators of Ireland (PAEI) and a second event takes place in Dublin at the same time, as they say they are fed up the the Government's inaction in relation to the resumption of indoor dance, drama, and music classes under safe protocols.

She says that come next month the sector will have been closed for 18 months at a personal cost to businesses up and down the country.

Lily, who ran a number of outdoor summer camps, says the indoor closure has had a huge impact on children and young adults in their Arts training, resulting in a detrimental effect on their mental health, confidence, and social skills.

"In the last 17 months we've not been given a date or any guidance for operating indoors," Lily told the Killarney Advertiser.

She said that the Performing Arts sector has been largely ignored in published guidelines, financial supports and roadmaps for reopening. "We are calling on the government to listen to us, acknowledge our sector and engage with us to allow our students return to classes.

"I ran summer camps outdoors, and the amount of stress I had checking the weather everyday wondering if I have to cancel. I bought all of our own covers, I'd say I spent €600 on them. We're left in the dark."

Professionals in the industry such as Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Killian Donnelly, Kerry man Tom Vaughan Lawlor, Rebecca Storm, Charlene McKenna, Aoibhinn McGinnity, and Norma Sheahan have already lent their support to the campaign with video clips and sound bites, with other celebrities coming on board daily, she added, saying the importance of this campaign should not be underestimated.

She added that a lot of industries have been allowed resume under safe protocols and that they can too.

"We managed the summer camps, we can manage indoors in a safe manner."

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Network Ireland Kerry discuss sustainable success

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Network Ireland Kerry held their third annual collaboration event last Wednesday at the Rose Hotel, Tralee. The theme was: “The Journey to Sustainable Success” which brought three industry experts together to talk about their own journey to sustainable successful.

Business professionals, entrepreneurs, and financial leaders came together for this highly anticipated event to learn about the journey from becoming a start-up, to a small-to-medium enterprise (SME), and a large SME.

The event was opened by AIB Branch Liaison for Network Ireland Kerry and AIB Castleisland Branch Manager, Colleen Shannon. It was MC’d by AIB Tralee Branch Manager, Stephen Stack.

Sarah Farrar of AINMHÌ, Garrett Dillon of Mr. Binman and Dillon Waste Ltd. and Susan Quirke-Crowley of Mounthawk Montessori School Group were among the speakers at the event.

These leaders spoke about their challenges, milestones, and breakthroughs they encountered, from launching an idea to scaling operations nationally.

Tara Elzingre of Tara Elzingre Consultancy, Zaneta Labuz-Czerwein of Rustic Boowa and Sharon Hartnett of U Coaching promoted their businesses for ‘Minute on the Mic’

Emily Reen, Network Ireland Kerry President, described the event as a testament to the power of partnership. She said: “The event underscored a powerful message: sustainable business success is not a solo journey. With the right partnerships, teams and financial tools, businesses of all sizes can grow with purpose, resilience, and long-term impact.”

Network Ireland Kerry will host their next monthly event on November 12 in Killarney and in collaboration with the Kerry Local Enterprise Office, titled: “Gain Competitive Advantage in Your Business”. This event will be MC’d by Karen Ronan, 2025 National Vice President of Network Ireland and CEO of Galway Chamber. This event is open to non-members and members, and everyone is welcome from 6 pm for networking and refreshments, with the event taking place from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

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Minor injury clinic to open by this time next year

The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home. […]

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The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home.

The timeline was confirmed in response to a Parliamentary Question from Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill, who said the project will follow the relocation of the Community Nursing Unit from its current site to the grounds of the old St Finan’s Hospital. Once the transfer is complete, construction of the injury clinic can proceed.
Deputy Cahill described the two new health facilities as “a fantastic addition for Killarney and the wider East, Mid, and South Kerry regions” and noted they will help reduce waiting times at University Hospital Kerry A&E.
“I will continue to push for enhanced health services for our people,” added the Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Older People.
The new clinic is expected to provide urgent care services for local residents, easing pressure on hospital emergency departments and improving access to timely treatment in the Killarney area.

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