News
Road safety a priority for preschoolers!
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By Michelle Crean
Within the surreal year of 2020, the children of Scallywags Preschool are keeping the normality going as they learned to stay safe recently during Road Safety Week.
From making their own upcycled cars from cardboard boxes, to stacking tyres and crossing roads, another bunch of Scallywags are safe and seen.
"We have been practicing road safety and Beep Beep Day for 10 years now," Patricia Quigley from Scallywags Preschool told the Killarney Advertiser.
"It's important for young children to understand that just by 'Stop, Look, Listen', and holding hands that they have the ability to aid their own safety. Being rural, the children learn through actually being taken on the road with no footpaths and how to be attentive to what is happening around them. But the highlight is often when a passing motorist gives an encouraging hoot of the horn, especially if they are driving a big truck!"
Throughout the years, past parents love to see the preschool continuing the hands-on skills their own children learnt in Scallywags, she added.
"Wearing a helmet when on anything with wheels is another message that is part of our road safety and we practice that in our outdoor area. We relate the whole week to learning through play, with the children painting their own zebra crossing, making their own mini traffic lights, and upcycling some cardboard boxes into cars. There were a lot of shouts of "stop" and "go" all at the same time, and very, very young recruits of the guards directing traffic, but it all flowed better than a Bank Holiday in Killarney!"
News
Students awarded for their contribution to school life
By Michelle Crean Students were honoured for their contribution to school life this week during a special end of year awards ceremony. Held in the school gym on Wednesday afternoon, […]

By Michelle Crean
Students were honoured for their contribution to school life this week during a special end of year awards ceremony.
Held in the school gym on Wednesday afternoon, the students from St Brigid’s Presentation were presented with a variety of awards from sport to science, music and visual art while Sixth Year student Saoirse Coffey received the Orla Benson Award.
“During this school year, our students have showcased their brilliance and extensive talents,” teacher Adrienne Brosnan, said.
“We are all so proud of these outstanding achievements across all aspects of school life. Awards day is a truly special occasion for all members of the St Brigid’s community and one which we relish the opportunity to celebrate. It is a time of anticipation, a time of excitement and a time of great joy. The awards that are presented are a testament to that dedication and we also acknowledge all the great work that is done by the teachers here in St Brigid’s.”
Sixth Year students also said their final goodbyes ahead of their State exams next month.
“We wish them the best of luck as they spread their wings and leave the shelter of St Brigid’s for the beginning of a new adventure.”
AWARD WINNERS
Other awards winners were:
Anna Dunlea received the Contribution to Graphics award while Leah Vinluan got the Design and Communication Graphics award.
Clodagh O’Connor and Sarah O’Sullivan both received the Contribution to Visual Art award.
Abbie Finan was awarded Soccer: Player of the Year, Chloe Hue Senior Football: Player of the Year, Emily Buckley 1st Year Football: Player of the Year, Abbey Cronin 2nd Year Football: Player of the Year, and Andrea Murphy Junior Football; Player of the Year, Senior Basketball: Most Valued Player went to Tara Donnellan, the Minor Basketball: Most Valued Player was given to Ciara O’Sullivan and the Cadette Basketball: Most Valued Player went to Leah McMahon.
Kara Huggard earned herself the LCA Student of the Year, Sarah McGrath received the CEIST Award, Excellence in Science was awarded to Emma Myers and Jennie O’Mahony, while Rita Akhter received the Overall Contribution to STEM.
Bríd O’Connor who wrote the book Spark presented Saoirse O’Sullivan with the Outstanding Achievements in Music award.
News
Businesses face closure due to staff shortages
Hospitality sector businesses might have to close a few days a week to off-set staff shortages. Fáilte Ireland last week launched a recruitment drive to attract part-time workers into hospitality […]

Hospitality sector businesses might have to close a few days a week to off-set staff shortages.
Fáilte Ireland last week launched a recruitment drive to attract part-time workers into hospitality and tourism roles, where it is estimated that there is as much as a 40,000 shortage in such roles for the peak summer season.
Damien McCarthy of HR Consultancy firm HR Buddy, founded in Killarney but now based in the RDI Hub in Killorglin, said that workers are losing out due to a more cashless society.
“Hospitality businesses may have to consider shutting their doors or decreasing their operational hours during the peak summer season as many businesses such as bars, restaurants, cafes, B&Bs and hotels are struggling to find staff for the demand. The industry is suffering over these few current weeks in particular as many part-time student workers are not available due to college and Leaving Cert exams. This shows how dependant the industry has become on young student workers,” he said.
“Many service industry workers choose part-time or casual work in hospitality roles because of the tip bonus, but this has even been impacted negatively now as most tips are taxed because they are coming in electronically. The worker is losing out and this key attraction tool that existed when we were a more cash orientated society in pre-pandemic times, is now gone.”
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