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St Brendan’s College awarded national LGBTQ+ Quality Mark
St Brendan’s College awarded national LGBTQ+ Quality Mark
St Brendan's College, Killarney has been officially recognised for its commitment to inclusion after receiving the Belong To LGBTQ+ Quality Mark at a national ceremony in Dublin.
The Killarney school was among a group of 39 post-primary schools and Youthreach centres from across Ireland honoured at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire for their work in creating safe and welcoming environments for LGBTQ+ young people.
The accreditation follows an intensive 18-month programme of evidence-based interventions designed to strengthen student wellbeing. During this period, the "Sem" implemented robust anti-bullying policies, established student-led ‘LGBTQ+ and Allies’ clubs, and engaged in direct outreach to parents to foster a culture of belonging within the wider school community.
Principal of St Brendan’s College, Mr Séan Coffey, welcomed the achievement as a significant milestone for the school. “We are delighted to accept our LGBTQ+ Quality Mark on behalf of the whole school community. We take pride in helping our students grow not only in knowledge and skill, but in character and compassion,” Mr Coffey said.
“Embracing diversity and nurturing inclusion strengthens our school community, enriches school life, and prepares our young people to lead in the modern world. Our achievement is the beginning of a renewed commitment to continuing to build a school culture where difference is celebrated, inclusion is lived, and every student knows they belong. The Sem strengthens its position as a forward-looking school grounded in respect, empathy, and community, a place where tradition and progress work hand in hand. Together we are one.”
The ceremony marked one of the first major engagements for the new CEO of Belong To, Kieran O’Donovan. He noted that while a 2022 survey showed 76% of LGBTQ+ youth still do not feel safe at school, the accredited institutions are taking meaningful action to change those statistics.
“Staff and students have shown real dedication to building environments where every young person feels safe, valued, and able to be themselves. These schools and centres are leading the way,” Mr O’Donovan commented.
The LGBTQ+ Quality Mark is the first national accreditation of its kind in Ireland. Following the success of this year's programme, which represented over 22,000 students nationwide, applications for the 2026/2027 academic year are now open to schools and Youthreach centres via www.belongto.org.
Healy-Rae calls for discussion following Dublin attack
Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae is back in Kerry following an assault in Dublin on Wednesday afternoon, calling for a “robust conversation on toxicity” directed towards public representatives.
Gardaí confirmed that officers from Kevin Street responded to an incident on Cork Street shortly after 4pm on September 16. A male motorist in his late 50s was approached and assaulted by a lone male while stopped in traffic.
The Kerry deputy was taken to Kevin Street Station and subsequently treated at St Vincent’s Hospital. His injuries were confirmed as non-life-threatening.
Following the incident, Deputy Healy-Rae thanked emergency services, hospital staff, and well-wishers across the country.
“Whatever the intention behind this attack, I will not be deterred from continuing my work or from representing the people of Kerry to the very best of my ability,” Healy-Rae stated.
“However, we do need to have a serious conversation about the growing toxicity directed towards politicians and public representatives. Disagreement and robust political debate are entirely legitimate, but personal abuse, intimidation and violence can never be accepted or normalised in a democratic society.”
He added: “I’m back in Kerry, I look forward to getting back to work in the coming days and trust the Gardaí will find the perpetrator and bring him to justice.”
A brand-new theatrical production has been added to the Christmas in Killarney festival line-up, bringing a major family attraction to the town throughout the winter season.
Titled Christmas in Killarney – The Show, the new production makes its debut at Killarney Racecourse. It runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday across the four weekends leading up to Christmas, offering a fresh entertainment experience alongside the town’s existing seasonal celebrations.
The narrative follows a story based locally, beginning when Santa’s sleigh crash-lands in Killarney during a routine test flight. With Santa missing, a search-and-rescue team of North Pole elves and their loyal reindeer Olive embark on a race against time to locate him before Christmas Eve. The journey takes the characters through recognisable local locations, including the streets of the town and Killarney National Park.
The stage production combines live acting, music, and comedy designed for audiences of all ages. The storyline concludes directly in time for the cast to join the weekly Magic Parade in the town centre each Saturday.
The addition expands the six-week festival schedule, which is managed by Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce and supported by Kerry County Council. The new show runs alongside returning attractions, including the weekly parades, Christmas markets, and seasonal dining events across local venues.
Organisers confirmed that tickets for Christmas in Killarney – The Show are available via the Killarney Racecourse website, with multiple showtimes scheduled across each weekend of the run.
Highlights of the upcoming six-week festival
The six-week Christmas in Killarney festival returns with a full schedule of street entertainment, markets, and family attractions across the town starting late November.
Ireland’s only weekly Christmas Magic Parades return to the town centre each Saturday from November 28, featuring festive floats, costumed characters, and street performers. Santa’s Holiday Residence opens at Golden Gate Lodge in Killarney National Park from November 27 to December 23, offering family visits with Santa and his elves.
Local culinary event Dine in Killarney takes place across two evenings on November 19 and 26, with over 30 participating restaurants providing three-course seasonal menus. Old Market Lane hosts the town’s Christmas Markets, featuring handcrafted items and seasonal goods from local vendors. Killarney on Ice also returns to Beech Road from November 27 through January 10.
Autism friendly festival events
Organisers of Christmas in Killarney have confirmed a suite of accessibility measures to ensure festival events are inclusive for all visitors.
As an Autism Friendly Town, Killarney will feature designated quiet viewing areas along the routes for each of the weekly Saturday Magic Parades. Wheelchair accessible viewing platforms will also be installed at main gathering points throughout the festival grounds.
To assist families, visual and sensory guides detailing the environment and noise levels of key festival experiences will be provided on the festival website prior to the opening weekend.
Santa Grotto tickets go on sale
Tickets for Santa’s Holiday Residence at Golden Gate Lodge go on sale today, Friday, September 11, on the official festival website.
The experience runs from November 27 to December 23, featuring meetings with Santa’s elves, an official certificate, and a private family visit with Santa in his firelit sitting room. Advance booking is required through christmasinkillarney.com.
Festival Highlights at a glance
Weekly Magic Parades: Four parades take place each Saturday leading up to Christmas, starting November 28, featuring dazzling festive floats, characters, elves, and Santa.
Santa’s Grotto: Located at Golden Gate Lodge in Killarney National Park from November 27 to December 23, complete with an official Nice List Certificate and firelit sitting room visit.
Dine in Killarney: Special three-course festive menus across more than 30 local restaurants on November 19 and 26.
Christmas Markets: Open-air cabins offering seasonal treats and handcrafted gifts at Old Market Lane, off Market Cross.
Killarney on Ice: Ice-skating rink operating at Beech Road from November 27 to January 10.
Santa’s Grotto tickets go on sale today
Tickets for Santa’s Holiday Residence at Golden Gate Lodge in Killarney National Park go on sale today, Friday, September 11, via the official festival website.
Running from November 27 through December 23, the experience includes interactive visits with Santa’s elves, an official Nice List Certificate, and a private family meeting with Santa in his firelit sitting room.
Organisers advise advance booking due to high demand. Full ticket details for Santa’s Grotto, Christmas in Killarney – The Show, and Killarney on Ice can be accessed at christmasinkillarney.com.
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