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Public invited to inaugural ‘Call of the Wild’ events

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By Michelle Crean   

It's not often members of the public get a safe close up look at the native Red deer - but soon they can with two days of events at Killarney National Park. 

AUTUMN WATCH: Autumn is considered the highlight of the Killarney National Park nature calendar. Pictured are: Danny O’Keeffe (2nd left) District Conservation Officer NPWS. Also included are Conservation Rangers Sam Bayley (1st left) Padrúig O'Sullivan and Sean Forde. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

This year marks the inaugural ‘Call of the Wild’ autumn gathering - the highlight of the Killarney National Park nature calendar - and it takes place on Saturday and Sunday October 15 and 16.

The programme will be presented by the Conservation Rangers of National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), led by Danny O’Keeffe, District Conservation Officer.

Killarney National Park was the first National Park in Ireland, it encompasses 10,000 hectares of diverse ecology, ancient oak and yew woodlands - the most extensive covering of native forest of international importance, the famous Lakes of Killarney, the monastic 6th century Innisfallen Island, Muckross House and Killarney House and Gardens. There the renowned native Irish Red deer - the largest and only native species with a continuous presence in Ireland since the end of the last Ice Age (c.10,000 BC) - live.

Paudie O’Leary was the Head Conservation Ranger at Killarney National Park, and sadly passed away unexpectedly in August 2012. This year to honour Paudie’s memory, Divisional Manager Killarney National Park, Eamonn Meskell, will deliver the inaugural Paudie O’Leary lecture at Killarney House Auditorium on Saturday October 15 at 3pm.

Other events include Autumn Dawn Watch, Photographic Workshops, Children's Autumn Watch with Killarney National Park Education Centre based at Knockreer House, Autumn Night Watch, and an informal discussion of the work of NPWS Conservation Rangers chaired by Chief Executive Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell.

Programme

Saturday October 15

7.30am: Autumn Dawn Watch Gathering takes place. National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) local Conservation Rangers meet at Knockreer Gates (opposite St Mary’s Cathedral) walking tour observing native Irish deer, flora and fauna during the autumn season.

Early morning self guide photographic opportunities within Killarney Demesne - observing and photographing the annual rutting season from a safe distance on designated paths.

10am: Autumn Photographic Workshop with photographer Micheál O’Sullivan at Ross Castle. For bookings: info@killarneyphototours.ie/mobile 087 6290556.

10am - 2pm: Children Autumn Watch: Killarney National Park Education Centre, Knockreer House, Scavenger hunts, beginners bushcraft, nature games and a look at the mammals of Killarney National Park.
3pm: The inaugural Paudie O’Leary lecture: Killarney House and Gardens Auditorium delivered by Divisional Manager NPWS Killarney National Park: Eamonn Meskell: Bookings: Reception 01 539 3620.
7.30pm: Autumn Night Watch: Killarney National Park (NPWS) Conservation Rangers to meet at Knockreer gates (opposite St Mary’s Cathedral) bring a head torch/suitable clothing.

Sunday October 16

7.30am: Autumn Dawn Watch Gathering: National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) local Conservation Rangers. Meeting at Knockreer Gates (opposite St Mary’s Cathedral) - walking tour observing native Irish deer, flora and fauna during the autumn season.

Early morning self guide photographic opportunities within Killarney Demesne - observing and photographing the annual rutting season from a safe distance on designated paths.

10am: Autumn Photographic Workshop with photographer Micheál O’Sullivan meet at Ross Castle. Bookings: info@killarneyphototours.ie/mobile 087 6290556.

2pm: Autumn Watch Scattering: Muckross School House: informal discussion with NPWS Conservation Rangers on their work in Killarney National Park - chaired by Chief Executive Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell.

For further information and updates: www.facebook.com/killarneynationalpark.

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Concerns over future of St Mary of the Angels

Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for […]

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Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for children and adults with profound disabilities and special needs.

The campus, set on lands generously donated by the Doyle family, offers 30 acres of grounds, existing buildings, and services, making it a valuable asset for the provision of respite care in Kerry. TD Michael Cahill emphasized that the Doyle family’s wishes should be respected, and that the grounds should be made accessible immediately.
“The special needs community in Kerry has a major respite crisis and families don’t have time to wait. Families need help — they are not asking for full-time residential care but respite care, a break, a helping hand,” Deputy Cahill said.
He added that a bespoke approach is needed to meet the individual needs of children attending St Francis Special School. “Many of the children in the county with profound needs need a safe haven where they can roam the grounds freely, and St Mary of the Angels offers this.”
Deputy Cahill has accompanied several Ministers to the Beaufort campus to highlight its value to Disability Health Service providers. A working group has been formed including St John of Gods, the HSE, representatives of residents at St Mary of the Angels, and St Francis Special School, to explore options for maintaining and expanding respite services.
“Parents are worn out and at the end of their tether. This needs to be dealt with expeditiously, in an environment of cooperation between the relevant Government Departments of Health, Disability, and Education. We need to get this across the line urgently and put it permanently in place,” he said.
Deputy Cahill pointed to the current shortfall of respite services in Kerry. “As of now, Cunamh Iveragh respite in Cahersiveen is only open Friday to Sunday, running at half capacity — two adults per night instead of four. The issue is staffing, and the HSE will not release funding to open full-time. The Beaufort campus is available and should be utilised as parents are crying out for overnight respite. Cooperation and compassion could see this done quickly.”
TD Danny Healy Rae echoed these concerns during a Dáil speech this week. “We are still short of respite beds on the southern side of the constituency. Families caring for people with disabilities just want a break, but there is nowhere available locally. Places are being offered only in Tipperary or Meath for those needing new residential care. It makes no sense. St Mary of the Angels in Beaufort has 40 or 50 acres of grounds that could be expanded, with facilities already in place such as swimming pools. It could be developed as a model for the rest of the country.”
Both TDs are urging the Government and the HSE to take immediate action to utilise the Beaufort campus for respite care, in line with the intentions of the Doyle family and the needs of Kerry families.

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Cardiac Response Unit’s ‘Restart a Heart’ training event

Killarney Cardiac Response Unit (KCRU) is set to run a range of events as part of the global initiative Restart A Heart, which aims to increase awareness and actual rates […]

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Killarney Cardiac Response Unit (KCRU) is set to run a range of events as part of the global initiative Restart A Heart, which aims to increase awareness and actual rates of bystander CPR worldwide.

The main event, titled RAH 2025, invites the public to learn life-saving skills and the basic steps in the chain of survival. This will take place on Saturday, October 18, at the Killarney Outlet Centre.
Members of the public are encouraged to join KCRU at the centre between 10:00 am and 5pm.
Key feature of the day will be the CPR Competition, offering “fantastic prizes to be won.”
For further information, visit www.killarneycru.ie/rah25

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