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Palestinian Mia Saleh’s Speech Raises the Roof

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By Aidan Quirke

A Tralee ‘Gig for Gaza’ on Wednesday night starred local Mia Saleh with a powerful speech on her experience of being a Palestinian, a place that she has yet to visit.

The Killarney resident is daughter of Mohammed Saleh and Fatima Al Khateeb, who run The VIP Turkish Barbers on Glebe Lane.
Up to 300 people from Kerry attended the concert in St John’s Church, Ashe St. Tralee to show solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Mia, who is just 15 years old, took to the stage to give a speech detailing her lived experience and how her parents arrived as refugees to Ireland.
“When my parents first arrived to Ireland as refugees they had no papers so they had to go to the Palestinian ambassador and told him that they were refugees from Palestine.
They got papers eventually but, in the paper(s), it stated that we had no right to go to go back to our homeland Palestine to visit we couldn’t go to the place we are from,” said Mia.
The youngster held a rapt audience for 10 minutes as she detailed how she as a child had to act differently from other children.
“At a young age I always saw children messing around and playing but I could never do the same as if I did anything wrong people will judge us, ‘people won’t see anything but the fact that I wear a hijab’ is what my mom would always say,” Mia said.

The confident teenager, spoke with hope and belief, that she will return to Palestine one day.
“I will return home and so will all the families and refugees that were kicked out, we will go back to a free and peaceful Palestine,” Mia said to a thunderous round of applause for her speech.

Over €5,000 was raised on the night for the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fun and was organised by Tralee local arts group, nonfaction, in collaboration with the Kerry branch of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Group.
The event also featured Kerry and national musicians. The headline act was rising folk star John Frances Flynn along with Tralee native Teresa Galvin, singer songwriter Aoife Nessa Frances and Limerick spoken work artist, Dyrt.

Nationally, ‘Gigs for Gaza’ and other events are happening nationwide, another concert for Kerry will be announced in the New Year

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Deenagh Lodge to host Alzheimer’s Memory Walk

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Killarney National Park will serve as the venue for this year’s Kerry Alzheimer’s Memory Walk on Sunday, September 20.

Participants will gather at the Deenagh Lodge ahead of an 11.00am start to complete a 5km scenic route through the park.

The event takes place on the eve of World Alzheimer’s Day as part of a nationwide series of walks supported by Aviva.


Now in its seventh year, the initiative raises vital funds for The Alzheimer Society of Ireland to support local dementia services, including daycare centres, family carer training, social clubs, dementia cafés, and the national helpline.

Last year, nearly 3,000 walkers across Ireland raised over €240,000 for the cause.


The Kerry walk will be led by local champions Kathriona Sheehan, Niamh Murphy, Lynda Phillips, and Melissa Molyneaux, who are walking in support of all those living with dementia.
“We are proud to lead our annual Alzheimer’s Memory Walk supported by Aviva to help fund local dementia services in Kerry,” they said. “The event is about community and helping spread awareness by walking together to raise vital funds for care, support, and hope for the days ahead. Join us in Killarney on Sunday, 20th September to show your support.”


With over 40 walks scheduled across Ireland, members of the public can walk in memory of a loved one or to show solidarity. Further details and registration are available at memorywalk.ie.

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Gary Moynihan wins racecourse style title

Style reigned supreme at Killarney Racecourse as local resident Gary Moynihan and Offaly’s Sylwia Novak captured the top honours at the Canella Lane Best Dressed Day. Moynihan, a local neuromuscular […]

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Style reigned supreme at Killarney Racecourse as local resident Gary Moynihan and Offaly’s Sylwia Novak captured the top honours at the Canella Lane Best Dressed Day.

Moynihan, a local neuromuscular therapist, claimed Best Dressed Gentleman in a made-to-measure six-button burgundy double-breasted suit with a navy check from Saville Menswear in Cork. He completed the winning look with a shirt and paisley tie from Simply Suits Killarney and brown derby shoes from Pavers at the Killarney Outlet Centre.
Best Dressed Lady was awarded to Novak, a hospital personal assistant from Tullamore, who wore a red polka-dot ensemble and custom hat designed by milliner Rita Daly, featuring sustainable jewellery made from recycled plastic.
Canella Lane owner Ciana Aspell praised the high standard of fashion on the day, while Killarney Racecourse Manager Karl McCay thanked the sponsors and racegoers for their support.
With the summer season now wrapped up, the team at Killarney Racecourse is gearing up for the October Festival on October 4 and 5, featuring its first-ever Student Raceday with SPIN South West on the Monday. Early ticket booking is advised.

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