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St Brendan’s College: Voices from the Halls
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Interview conducted by Aodhagán Ó Súilleabháin, Cormac Flanagan, and Ryan Twomey.
Name: Kieran O'Leary – Entrepreneur and Killarney businessman.
Year of Graduation: 2005
Occupation: I would be the Jack of all trades and the master of none. I am involved in the hospitality industry. I have Corkery’s Bar, Revive Café, Ruckus Café and I'm a part of Integrity gym, so I do a lot of coaching. The passion by me would be probably in the fitness industry, because I played at a high enough sporting level and that's come to an end now so I'm kind of concentrating on the coaching early mornings, hospitality day and evening and I have a young family as well so that's obviously the biggest priority of all.
Could you describe a typical day for you?
I wake up at 5.30 and I am in the Gym for 6am. I work with clients till 8.30 – 9:00am. I then have school drop off, check the stock in the cafes and open Corkery’s. I kind of float around all day, kind of just helping where I can, and then evening time is probably the most hectic, at home, the kids might have football, well the young fella has football, he does a bit of Jiu-Jitsu, and dinner, stop, start, repeat the following day. I work hard, when you're self-employed it can be difficult, but I try to get down time on Sundays or maybe Wednesdays.
What drew you to St Brendan’s as a school?
It was the sports that kind of drew me. The past pupils that I would have known from the sports clubs and would have seen their careers progress. It's renowned, the history behind the Sem is unbelievable. I wasn't really going anywhere else. The history behind it, the stories that come out of it, the people that have progressed and done so well in life. I don’t mean success by wealth, they seem to be happy in their professional life, happy with their life decisions and I suppose the Sem has a huge part playing in that.
Would you have kept in contact with any teachers?
Even now you see older teachers that may be retired or are even still there, they still have a bit of time for you, and they'll stand in the street and say how are you getting on? We live in a small town, where everyone knows kind of everyone's business to such an extent, so I think just the camaraderie, friendships and like the great times we had, I'll always remember that.
Would you have kept in contact with your classmates?
The friends I made. They are lifelong friends. We were lucky enough to be a part of a good few sporting teams, and we would have progressed through the Kerry GAA side of things, and then there's a lot of them working around here, a few of them abroad, but you'd have your core five or six fellas that you still stay in contact with. Outside of that if you saw past students of the school around the town, of course you'd stop and talk to them.
Were there any specific academic programmes or teaching methods at the school that helped you succeed in what you're in today?
I didn't apply myself the way I'd like to which is kind of a regret, but I did Business Studies with Joanna Ryan, she was a very good teacher. I went on to do business which I didn’t complete in IT Tralee, and funnily enough, then I got involved in the business side of things, so it's funny how things work out. Just because you mightn't do the best Leaving Cert doesn't mean that you're a failure, there's always an opportunity around the corner and if you're willing to apply yourself in any shape, way or form then you'll succeed. It's all about the mindset, discipline and as I said, my mindset was GAA, maybe even soccer related when I was that age, I could see nothing else, I was a bit blinkered, but as you broaden your horizons as you get a bit older, more mature you realise there's different ways to go about your goals.
Can you share an example of how a teacher or staff member made a meaningful impact on your growth.
I'd say Seamus Grealy to be honest, because he is an excellent teacher. He was a soccer coach and he would have seen the potential in me and even though the application mightn't have been there at times. He still persisted and gave me that chance to try and achieve the best possible grade I could within the Leaving Cert year. I would have done honours English even though my mother and father were saying "What are you doing?, you know, because I hadn’t the work done or whatever. The fact that he gave me that kind of TLC. I needed, that kind of arm around the shoulder, to say, listen there's more in you, try your best, and as you know he can be firm as well, I just found him pretty good to deal with.
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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