News
The art of communication
O
ONE mistake we all make time and time again is measuring someone’s abilities against our own – particularly the ability to communicate. This is never more prevalent than when it comes to getting behind the wheel of our cars. On Tuesday night I was picking up a colleague from The Brehon Hotel. There was a space available in front of the hotel. I drove straight into the available space. There was an unoccupied car parked in front and as I pulled in another car parked to the other side.
The driver and passenger of the unoccupied car returned. I switched off my lights and reversed back to aid their exit. The car parked to their rear also reversed to give room. At this point the driver started flashing their lights and I could barely made out a silhouette in the passenger seat waving frantically.
I am greatly amused by this stupidity. Hand gestures are redundant when you are shining a bright light in the face of the intended recipient of your hand gestures. This is the first clue that these people don’t understand basic communication skills.
Eventually, to my amusement, flashing lights clearly wasn’t communicating their request (or maybe it was my inability to understand “Morse Code”!) so the driver eventually felt the need to communicate by exiting their car and delivering the request in person to give them more space. However, I had done this prior to the request – so much so, my parking sensor was constant. I could move back no further.
Moments later my colleague’s arrival prompted our departure. With no manoeuvring required, we drove straight out of the space – clearly demonstrating the ample space available. As I moved away from the blinding lights of their car a cowardly Neanderthal male figure – the occupant of the passenger seat – came into focus offering obscene middle finger hand gestures.
I drove off amused at the limited skill by both occupants to communicate a simple request – a request, if delivered in the appropriate manner, I would have duly executed.
On my return to the hotel later that evening, I discovered that the unoccupied car had obscured a “no parking” sign – clearly indicating that neither one of us should have parked where we did. In my defence, I couldn’t see the sign but it clearly demonstrates the knock-on effect of people not understanding basic communication skills.
Town encouraged to wear bright colours for Kevin
The town of Killarney was encouraged to wear its brightest colours this week to honour the memory of one of its most beloved sons following the sudden and unexpected passing of Kevin Looney on Tuesday.
A familiar sight walking the streets of Killarney and his adopted home of Tralee alongside his wife Katie, Kevin was widely known for his bright personality, athletic talent, and involvement with local sports organisations.
A gifted athlete and dedicated leader, Kevin served for many years as captain of the Kerry Stars Special Olympics basketball team, leading the side to back-to-back tournament victories in Little Island, Cork, in 2023. Beyond his success on the court, he was a talented runner with an 18-minute 5k record, a keen soccer player with ambitions for Kerry FC, and a head designer who created custom sports gear for his clubs.
Tributes have poured in for the young man, whose kindness, dedication, and enthusiasm left a lasting mark on teammates, coaches, and the wider community.
Kevin is survived by his wife Katie, his mother Carmel, his sisters Selina, Carmel-Ann, and Frankie, his brothers Darren and Tommy-Dan, his granddad Dan McCarthy, and his nephews Sean, Noah, and Theo, along with his extended family, neighbours, and friends.
His removal took place on Thursday evening at O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Killarney. Funeral mass takes place this morning, Friday, at 10am at St Mary’s Cathedral, with burial afterwards in Aghadoe Lawn Cemetery.
Mourners attending the service have been asked to wear bright colours in Kevin’s memory. Family flowers only, with donations in lieu, if desired, to Epilepsy Ireland.
Killarney National Park Autumn Talks up and running
Following a successful opening presentation by award-winning photographer James Crombie on the mesmerising starling murmuration’s of Lough Ennell, the 38th annual Killarney National Park Autumn Talks Series continues next week with a focus on Irish biodiversity.
The lineup for Thursday, October 15, features guest speaker Professor Grace McCormack of University College Galway, who will present a talk on “The Importance of Native Honeybees and Other Pollinators and Current Threats to Their Survival”.
Prof. McCormack’s address will explore the vital role native bees play in local ecosystems, the environmental pressures threatening their populations, and the conservation efforts required to ensure their survival.
Last night’s (October 8) opening talk, saw Inpho Sports Photography staff photographer James Crombie kick off the six-week series.
Crombie, named Irish Press Photographer of the Year in 2021, 2022, and 2025, shared the story behind his famous images documenting Westmeath’s starling displays, which reached millions of viewers worldwide.
The Autumn Talks Series runs weekly for six weeks in the Killarney House Auditorium (V93 HE3C) at 8.00pm. Admission is free, though seating is limited. All presentations are also live streamed via the Killarney National Park Facebook page.
MESMERISING NATURE: Multi-award-winning photographer James Crombie, who opened the 38th annual Killarney National Park Autumn Talks Series with a presentation on his famous starling murmuration photographs.
Town encouraged to wear bright colours for Kevin
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