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The art of communication

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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.

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Killarney for Palestine film screening

Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz. The event, which […]

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Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz.

The event, which took place on July 3, included two screenings, both of which were fully booked. Guests enjoyed cheese and wine before the shows.
‘No Other Land’ depicts the ongoing destruction in Masafer Yatta, a cluster of villages in the Southern West Bank, and shows the experiences of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The film won in the Best Documentary category at this year’s Academy Awards.
The screenings were organised in association with the West End School of Arts.
All proceeds from the €25 tickets benefited Camp Breakerz Crew, a children’s charity based in Gaza that provides creative outlets through dance and is involved in food distribution programs in Nuseirat Camp and Deir-Al-Balah due to food shortages.
Sally MacMonagle, who recently spent time in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, also spoke at one of the screenings.

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Bid to host European Presidency summit meetings gathers pace

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026. Deputy Cahill […]

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Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026.

Deputy Cahill believes Kerry’s available accommodation, food, and conference facilities are “second to none,” with Killarney as the central location.
“Visitors from every corner of the earth have been coming to Kerry for centuries now, to experience its beauty and serenity and have returned on many occasions because of the fabulous time they have enjoyed during their stay here,” said Deputy Cahill. “Where else would you want to bring the senior Government Ministers of all of our EU counterpart states, to experience Ireland, its customs and heritage?”
The Rossbeigh TD outlined various attractions available for visitors during downtime: “During their downtime, they can visit the Blaskets and Slea Head, Sceilg Mhichíl and the Ring of Kerry, Killarney’s Lakes, Gap of Dunloe, National Park and Sliabh Luachra, all of our glorious beaches from Ballybunion to Rossbeigh, Kells to Ventry, Whitestrand to Inch, Ballinskelligs to Cromane, Waterville to Derrynane.” He also cited Kerry’s golf courses, Listowel Writers Week, the Rose of Tralee, and Puck Fair as potential experiences.
Deputy Cahill confirmed he has raised this matter with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris; and Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne.
“If Killarney’s bid is successful in bringing the Heads of State to our county for meetings, conferences and functions, it will be a massive boost to the local economy in Killarney and also throughout the county,” added Cahill.”Iwill continue to push in the coming months for Killarney and Kerry to be included as bases for the rounds of meetings that are to take place from July 1 to December 312026.”

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