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Snap up this chance to enjoy some iconic images

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At the opening of the Press Photographers of Ireland exhibition of award winning photographs in the Killarney Library on Monday were seated from left, Cllr Brendan Cronin, chairman, Killarney Municipal Authority, who officially opened the exhibition, Michael Chester, president, PPAI, and Kate O'Leary, president, Killarney Chamber; back, photographer Domnick Walsh, Tralee, Tommy O'Connor, Kerry County librarian, photographer Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan, Killarney, Cllr Mick Gleeson, Eamonn Browne, Killarney Librarian and photographer Don MacMonagle, PICTURE: SALLY MACMONAGLE

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KILLARNEY’S first citizen Councillor Brendan Cronin put Kerry photographers in the picture on Tuesday when he cut the ribbon on the prestigious Press Photographer of the Year 2016 exhibition in the local library on Rock Road.

The chairman of Killarney Municipal District was extremely impressed with the collection of winning and shorltlisted images from the annual awards organised by the Press Photographers Association of Ireland. They will be on display in Killarney Library until August 25.

“I want to congratulate our own Don MacMonagle who came first in the Nature and Environment section with a beautiful image of Ballinskelligs at night,” said Cllr Cronin.

“I am delighted also that the work of Valerie O Sullivan and Domnick Walsh was shortlisted. The unique talent of press photographers to capture a moment in time and the ability to relay a particular story with a photograph is something to be truly admired.”

Over 2,000 images were entered into the annual awards this year, by 103 photographers from around the country. Awards were presented across nine categories: news, daily life and people, nature and the environment, politics, sports action, sports feature, portrait, art and entertainment and reportage.

Mark Condren, Irish Independent, was named ‘Press Photographer of the Year 2016’, his fourth time to receive the accolade. The awards judging panel included Dermot O’Shea, former picture editor of The Irish Times, who chaired the panel; John Giles, photographic editor of Press Association and Sophie Batterbury, head of pictures, The Independent/The Independent on Sunday.

Michael Chester, president, Press Photographers Association of Ireland, said: “I am delighted the PPAI exhibition is visiting Killarney, the exhibition’s first visit to the South West this year. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Librarian Eamonn Browne and Killarney Library for its support and we hope visitors will enjoy viewing the work of our members.”
 


 
Above: At the opening of the Press Photographers of Ireland exhibition of award winning photographs in the Killarney Library on Monday were, seated from left, Cllr Brendan Cronin, chairman, Killarney Municipal Authority, who officially opened the exhibition, Michael Chester, president, PPAI, and Kate O'Leary, president, Killarney Chamber; back, photographer Domnick Walsh, Tralee, Tommy O'Connor, Kerry County librarian, photographer Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan, Killarney, Cllr Mick Gleeson, Eamonn Browne, Killarney Librarian and photographer Don MacMonagle, PICTURE: SALLY MACMONAGLE

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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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