News
Special visitors welcomed to The Mon

By Michelle Crean
A €10k prize which The Mon won was officially opened on Wednesday as the school welcomed a number of very special guests.

CUTTING THE RIBBON: Minister for Special Needs & Inclusion Josepha Madigan officially cut the ribbon for the new Sensory Pod on Wednesday at The Mon NS. From l-r were: Johanna Whyte (Fresh Today) Principal Mary Brosnan pupil Adam Shine David McGinn (Murray’s Medical) and Jean Dwyer (Fresh Today). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Welcoming Minister for Special Needs & Inclusion Josepha Madigan (left) to The Mon on Wednesday for the official launch and tour of the Sensory Pod in association with Fresh Today and Murray’s Medical from l-r were: Teacher Olga Ncube AJ O'Shea Adam Shine Principal Mary Brosnan and Jean Dwyer (Fresh Today). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

GIFT: At her recent visit to The Mon to officially open the school’s new sensory pod Minister for Special Needs & Inclusion Josepha Madigan (right) is presented with a gift from 'Killarney Behind the Mask' author Marie Carroll O'Sullivan (left) &and School Principal Mary Brosnan (centre).

Welcoming Minister for Special Needs & Inclusion Josepha Madigan to The Mon on Wednesday for the official launch of the Sensory Pod from l-r were: Tony Mulcahy (MD Fresh Today) Rahib Ahmad Jahaziel Cabrera Principal Mary Brosnan Cillian O’Donoghue Jamie Cordner Liam O'Brien (ASD Class Teacher) Noah Slattery and Johanna Whyte (Area Manager Fresh Today). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

CUTTING THE RIBBON: Minister for Special Needs & Inclusion Josepha Madigan officially cut the ribbon for the new Sensory Pod on Wednesday at The Mon NS. From l-r were: Johanna Whyte (Fresh Today) Principal Mary Brosnan pupil Adam Shine David McGinn (Murray’s Medical) and Jean Dwyer (Fresh Today). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Welcoming Minister for Special Needs & Inclusion Josepha Madigan (left) to The Mon on Wednesday for the official launch and tour of the Sensory Pod in association with Fresh Today and Murray’s Medical from l-r were: Teacher Olga Ncube AJ O'Shea Adam Shine Principal Mary Brosnan and Jean Dwyer (Fresh Today). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

GIFT: At her recent visit to The Mon to officially open the school’s new sensory pod Minister for Special Needs & Inclusion Josepha Madigan (right) is presented with a gift from 'Killarney Behind the Mask' author Marie Carroll O'Sullivan (left) &and School Principal Mary Brosnan (centre).

Welcoming Minister for Special Needs & Inclusion Josepha Madigan to The Mon on Wednesday for the official launch of the Sensory Pod from l-r were: Tony Mulcahy (MD Fresh Today) Rahib Ahmad Jahaziel Cabrera Principal Mary Brosnan Cillian O’Donoghue Jamie Cordner Liam O'Brien (ASD Class Teacher) Noah Slattery and Johanna Whyte (Area Manager Fresh Today). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Minister Josepha Madigan was there to cut the ribbon and was warmly greeted by Principal Mary Brosnan, Johanna Whyte from Fresh Today, David McGinn from Murray’s Medical, school staff and pupils.
Other guests in attendance were David Clifford and Gavin White who brought the Sam Maguire with them while Mr Grove's Fourth Class choir performed a rendition of 'Barr na Sráide'.
"It was wonderful to welcome everyone to The Mon for the launch of our Sensory Pod in association with Fresh Today & Murray’s Medical," Principal Mary Brosnan told the Killarney Advertiser.
"The boys from Mr Liam O’Brien’s Arbutus Class and Ms Olga Ncube’s Butterfly Class were delighted to perform and present Minister Josepha Madigan with a framed copy their self-penned poem and a bouquet of daffodils from Micheál O’Shea's farm just around the corner from our school. We are a very special school with children from over 44 different nationalities and cultures with an amazing and dedicated staff to support them. Like every school we have a variety of activities, opportunities and experiences to offer the boys who come here. We were delighted to add those when we won the Sensory Pod!"
There was excitement back in November when they heard the lovely news, she added.
"The Sensory Pod arrived the following morning and since then has been such a fantastic resource for the school. In the short time we have had the pod we have seen many benefits. It is used throughout the school day from the minute the gate is open in the morning, supporting boys with anxiety around coming to school. It is used as a safe space for boys if they are upset or if they are overwhelmed in the classroom," she added.
"We are finding more and more that the boys are asking to go to the pod at different stages throughout the day. This is showing us that they are developing and recognising their own emotions. This independence is invaluable now and will be throughout their lives. For their part in improving the school experience for all our pupils we wish to thank Fresh Today and Murray’s Medical."
News
Killarney twinned with Italian town
By Sean Moriarty It has taken 10 years but the Italian town of Casperia is now an official twin town with Killarney. The idea to twin the picturesque town near […]

By Sean Moriarty
It has taken 10 years but the Italian town of Casperia is now an official twin town with Killarney.
The idea to twin the picturesque town near Rome was first mooted by the old Killarney Town Council.
However, when town councils were discontinued in 2014 the task was handed over to Killarney Town Twining Association and was supported by the elected Killarney Municipal District members of Kerry County Council.
A delegation from the association and the council visited Casperia in 2019 to sign the Italian side of the twining agreement.
The pandemic further delayed the process but on Thursday last Killarney Mayor Niall Kelleher and Casperia Mayor Marco Cusso met to formally sign the charter in Killarney.
“This was honouring a commitment made by the former town council to establish a twinning under European guidelines back in 2014,” said association chairman Sean Counihan.
“Unfortunately the town councils were abolished and Killarney Town Twinning Association pursued the matter.
“We are delighted that the municipal authority saw fit to move the beautiful town of Casperia near Rome from association status to full twinning with Killarney.
“We deeply appreciate the members’ positivity in honouring the former Town Council’s decision.”
The signing between the two mayors took place over the St Patrick’s Festival weekend when Killarney Town Twining Association also welcomed groups from other towns like Pleindfeld in Germany and Concord, North Carolina, USA.
News
Music and fun at Fossa Rambling House
By Sean Moriarty The Fossa Two Mile branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann held its first Rambling House night of music and dance on Saturday night. Their return to the stage […]

By Sean Moriarty
The Fossa Two Mile branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann held its first Rambling House night of music and dance on Saturday night.
Their return to the stage was timed to coincide with the St Patrick’s weekend celebration and also marked the first big event at the Castlerosse Park Resort since it re-opened on Thursday night following its winter break.
As well as a feat of Irish music, dance and poetry, Fossa-based Ukrainians gave performances in their native language too.
“What a great night we had at our CCÉ Rambling House last Saturday night,” Chairman Tim Kissane said.
“There are so many people to thank that we apologise in advance if we miss anybody out. Firstly, to the management and staff Castlerosse Park Resort for hosting our event and the wonderful service they provided.
“To our very talented stalwart musicians Mike Jack, Noreen and Maura who entertained us all so well from start to finish.
“To all our guest performers, from The Racing Pigeons to the Biddy Group and all the singers, musicians and storytellers in between go raibh mile maith agaibh. Special mention to our Ukrainian singers who performed two songs in their native language for us on the night. Thank you to all our members and supporters and to Fear an Tí, Mick Myers agus Bean an Tí, Theresa Kissane who kept the night flowing. Our fireplace display was kindly lent to us by the Beaufort Pioneers and adorned with ‘things of old’ from Brendan O’Sullivan.”
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