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St Patrick’s parade in Ballyspillane
Children living in Ballyspillane got a chance to partake in their own parade on Thursday last.
St Patrick's Day at Ballyspillane Community Centre for preschoolers and their teachers. Pictured from l-r were: Kirsty O'Carroll Christian Gabbett CJ McCarthy Noa Klesnik Paksec and Karen Foley. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Beautiful blue eyed Blondie Burke displays her artwork for the preschool’s 'pre' St Patrick's Day Parade at the Ballyspillane Community Centre on Thursday morning. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
A smile from preschoolers Amelia and Ivy O'Brien with their own version of ‘Ireland’s Call’ for parents at Ballyspillane Community Centre ahead of their very own pre-St Patrick's Day Parade for the neighbours surrounding the centre who received a personalised invitation. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Recently appointed Ballyspillane Centre Manager Derek O'Leary (right) greets the centre's preschoolers as they return from their very own St Patrick's Day Parade with their teachers and supervisors. From l-r were: Sophie Haighway Karen Foley Ewa Lenarczuk and Kirsty O'Carroll. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Enjoying dress up day at the Ballyspillane Community Centre for St Patrick's Day were: Aliya Brosnan Teacher Karen Foley and Emma Wozniak. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Enjoying dress up day at the Ballyspillane Centre for St Patrick's Day were: Alexander Waskiewiez Dylan Coffey Christopher Coffey and Santiago Gonzalez Leonor. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Teacher Kirsty O'Carroll pictured with her daughter Rosie on dress up day at the Ballyspillane Centre getting into the spirit of things for St Patrick's Day on Thursday. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Happy St Patrick's Day from preschoolers Amelia and Ivy O'Brien at Ballyspillane Community Centre pictured on dress up day on Thursday. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Preschoolers Aliya Brosnan and Blondie Burke sing ‘Irelands Call’ to parents at Ballyspillane Community Centre ahead of their very own pre-St Patrick's Day Parade. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
A hug during dress up day for St Patrick's Day at the Ballyspillane Centre. Pictured are Layna and Sharon O'Leary. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Morgan O'Brien enjoyed dress up day at the Ballyspillane Centre for St Patrick's Day on Thursday. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
St Patrick's Day at Ballyspillane Community Centre for preschoolers and their teachers. Pictured from l-r were: Kirsty O'Carroll Christian Gabbett CJ McCarthy Noa Klesnik Paksec and Karen Foley. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Beautiful blue eyed Blondie Burke displays her artwork for the preschool’s 'pre' St Patrick's Day Parade at the Ballyspillane Community Centre on Thursday morning. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
A smile from preschoolers Amelia and Ivy O'Brien with their own version of ‘Ireland’s Call’ for parents at Ballyspillane Community Centre ahead of their very own pre-St Patrick's Day Parade for the neighbours surrounding the centre who received a personalised invitation. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Recently appointed Ballyspillane Centre Manager Derek O'Leary (right) greets the centre's preschoolers as they return from their very own St Patrick's Day Parade with their teachers and supervisors. From l-r were: Sophie Haighway Karen Foley Ewa Lenarczuk and Kirsty O'Carroll. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Enjoying dress up day at the Ballyspillane Community Centre for St Patrick's Day were: Aliya Brosnan Teacher Karen Foley and Emma Wozniak. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Enjoying dress up day at the Ballyspillane Centre for St Patrick's Day were: Alexander Waskiewiez Dylan Coffey Christopher Coffey and Santiago Gonzalez Leonor. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Teacher Kirsty O'Carroll pictured with her daughter Rosie on dress up day at the Ballyspillane Centre getting into the spirit of things for St Patrick's Day on Thursday. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Happy St Patrick's Day from preschoolers Amelia and Ivy O'Brien at Ballyspillane Community Centre pictured on dress up day on Thursday. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Preschoolers Aliya Brosnan and Blondie Burke sing ‘Irelands Call’ to parents at Ballyspillane Community Centre ahead of their very own pre-St Patrick's Day Parade. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
A hug during dress up day for St Patrick's Day at the Ballyspillane Centre. Pictured are Layna and Sharon O'Leary. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Morgan O'Brien enjoyed dress up day at the Ballyspillane Centre for St Patrick's Day on Thursday. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
The private pre-St Patrick’s Day parade came by invitation only for the lucky residents living in the square area of the Ballyspillane Community Centre.
A sea of green, white and gold and the melodious voices of 18 preschoolers and their teachers was a very special treat for the residents who enjoyed a unique version of ‘Irelands Call’ and ‘Molly Malone’ as they passed by dressed in their vibrant artwork which each child created earlier in the week.
“[It was] a busy week of artwork in Ballyspillane as the children prepared for mothers day also,” their teacher Karen Foley said.
Well known as one of The Three O’s and with the Musical Society, newly appointed manager of the centre Derek O’Leary said he was very pleased with the children’s level of creativity in the preschool and was waiting with applause on their return.
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Fassbender ready for second Le Mans appearance
Local Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender is in the final preparation stages for his second appearance at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. The iconic endurance race is celebrating its […]
Local Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender is in the final preparation stages for his second appearance at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The iconic endurance race is celebrating its 100th edition next weekend.
The Fossa star has already arrived in the famous French twon where he is involved in a week-long series of engagements including drivers’ parades, autograph sessions and more serious appointments like car safety checks, practice and qualifying.
Like last year, when he finished 16th in the LMGTE Am class, Fassbender has been entered in to the event by the German Proton Competition team with Estonian Martin Rump and the Austrian Richard Lietz.
Fassbender dreams of following the trajectory of fellow Hollywood actors Patrick Dempsey who was second in LMGTE Am class in 2016 and Paul Newman who finished second overall in 1979.
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Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections
Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]
Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.
Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.
The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.
Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.
Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.
She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.
“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”
In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.
In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.
last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History – Irish Life and Lore’.
During the broadcast she talked about her parents’ membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.
This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.
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