News
School’s out after 34 years for Lissivigeen principal

By Michelle Crean
Throughout his lifetime he has spent a total of 34 years at Lissivigeen National School but last week it was time to say goodbye to a job he loves as Mike McAuliffe retired.
280 pupils, staff, Board of Management and parents surprised Mike in the schoolyard on the pupil's last day of term - also his last as principal to the children - on Friday last.
It was an emotional occasion for him as Mike not only taught at the school, later taking on role of principal - but attended as a pupil.
"It was emotional," Mike told the Killarney Advertiser. "They gave me a lovely send off."
In 1968 Mike began his education in the then newly opened Lissivigeen NS, across from the old school.
After eight years there he went on to The Sem, and trained as a teacher in St Pat's in Dublin from 1981 to 1984. He took up his first teaching position in St Bernadettes in Clondalkin before the lure of Kerry called him back to his home place of Lissivigeen.
That was in 1995 and he taught at his current school before taking up the role of principal in 2007.
"Bernadette Noonan was the principal at the time when I started. She had taught me previously."
His new position wasn't a principal/teacher role like some schools which meant a huge change in career.
"I was an admin principal," Mike explained. "It was a huge change and I did miss the teaching, especially at the start."
He paid huge credit to the team behind him who worked so seamlessly over the years making his job easier.
"We have magnificent teaching staff at the school which made my job very easy. Also, the ancillary staff. They are so helpful and dedicated. We have a great Parents Association who are also so supportive."
He added that the final two years of school life have been so much different to what he had ever experienced before.
"The last two years have been the strangest, adapting to online learning. It's very strange to be finally finishing up - it's been part of my life for so long. I have no plans as of yet, maybe a little bit of golf and see what comes my way."


News
Start clocking up those ‘Kingdom Kilometres’
With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways. The recently opened […]

With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways.
The recently opened Kingdom of Kerry Greenways between Tralee and Fenit and between Listowel and Abbeyfeale are already proving hugely popular with locals and visitors to Kerry.
Representatives of the tourism Industry, local public representatives, travel writers and influencers gathered in Kerry on Monday to experience the exciting new tourist attractions and welcome the arrival of the longer daylight hours as the clocks changed over to summertime.
Sarah Hanrahan, a social media influencer who posts about Irish travel and has more than 100,000 Instagram followers, described the experience.
“Ireland has some of the most amazing outdoor spaces. For a lot of my followers and other people, connecting with green spaces has become much more important to their overall sense of well-being as well as their health and fitness. It’s been really gorgeous to experience the Tralee to Fenit, and Listowel to Limerick Kingdom of Kerry Greenways; a fantastic trip sampling the warm hospitality of Kerry and a great reminder of the active holiday options that are right on our doorstep.”
The new purpose-built trails provide an accessible and inclusive experience for visitors of all abilities.
Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy and the Mayor of Listowel, Cllr Aoife Thornton, said that the greenways offer an exceptional recreational amenity for everyone to enjoy.
“The greenways are situated in some of Kerry’s most scenic landscapes and offer spectacular and safe off-road facilities for people of all ages to enjoy as the landscape comes into bloom. They also offer warm hospitality at the trail head towns of each route.”
Visit www.kerrygreenways.ie to find out more.
News
St Patrick’s Day parade winners announced
Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club has won the sought-after overall award in recognition of their colourful and action-packed entry to this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney. Delighted […]

Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club has won the sought-after overall award in recognition of their colourful and action-packed entry to this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney.
Delighted club representatives were presented with the Seán O’Keeffe Perpetual Trophy – in memory of the former Mayor of Killarney and parade stalwart – at a gala presentation of prizes in the International Hotel, Killarney on Tuesday night.
The award for the Best Interpretation of the Theme, which was Killarney: Experience More, went to the Wander Wild Festival who received the Michael Courtney Perpetual Trophy which is dedicated to the memory of another former mayor of the town who spearheaded the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations for many years.
The John ‘Killer’ O’Callaghan Perpetual Trophy for the Best Sporting Entry was won by Killarney Athletic AFC and the Peter Irwin Memorial Trophy for the Best Marching Group and Cultural/Arts Entry went to Millstreet Pipe Band.
The Best Sports Club was Spa GAA, the Best Children’s Group prize was won by Kilcummin Comhaltas and the Best New Entry was Killarney Rugby Football Club.
There was an international flavour to the Best Musical Entry which was scooped by the Glenridge High School Marching Band from New Jersey.
The prize for the Best Voluntary Group went to the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club, the Best School Award went to the Fiona Crowley Stage School and the Best Activity Group was deemed to be Scorchers Cheerleading Club.
The Most Entertaining Entry went to the Killarney Tidy Towns group, the prize for the Most Original Entry was won by Liebherr Container Cranes and the Most Imaginative Entry in the parade was the Art House, Killarney.
The Most Stylish Entry prize was awarded to the Ukrainian community whose representative said they were delighted to play a part in Ireland’s national holiday and thanked the people of Killarney for the warm welcome they have received.
Other prizes presented on the night included the Best Window Display which went to Christy Healy’s on New Street who were celebrating 100 years in business on St Patrick’s Day, while the Europe Hotel and Resort won the Best Green-Themed Building prize.
The judges for the parade were Br Pat Lynch, Guardian, Franciscan Friary, Pam Brosnan, Killarney Musical Society and Denis McMahon.
The awards were presented by Killarney St Patrick’s Festival Chairman Paul Sherry, Mayor of Killarney Cllr Niall Kelleher, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Senior Executive Bridget O’Keeffe, and parade grand marshal Cathal P Walshe.
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