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Time for Tamika to showcase her talents at national level

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Tamika Heaphy's thoughts on health and prosperity helped her to secure a place in a national final.

On Saturday, the Fifth Year student from Killarney Community College, earned herself a place in the national final of the Soroptimist International Girl’s Public Speaking Competition in Cork.

Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement working together to transform the lives of women and girls with nearly 72,000 members in 121 countries. In Ireland, there are 15 clubs that work at a local, national and international level to educate, empower and enable women and girls to reach their potential.

The Soroptimist Ireland Girls’ Public Speaking Competition has been running for over 40 years. The competition is a three-stage event with local and regional competitions leading to a national final.

The competition encourages girls to develop the skills to speak effectively and articulately with clarity and conviction. This enables them to improve their self-confidence and personality which in turn will enhance their career opportunities.

“This has been an amazing experience, public speaking skills are so important," teacher Tara O’Shea said.

"We have always encouraged our students to enter public speaking competitions. As a result of this, our students are well versed and have very strong opinions on many global and social issues so this was the perfect opportunity for students like Tamika to showcase her talents at a national level."

The regional final showcased an array of wonderful speakers who spoke on a variety of topics such as democracy, health, people, human rights, environment and peace. Tamika chose to speak about the topic of health and prosperity where she wowed the adjudicators with her eloquent speech and her fantastic public speaking skills. She competed against five other students and secured first place and an opportunity to compete in the national final.

Teresa Irwin and Sheila Casey from Soroptimist Ireland Killarney added that they "are so proud" of Tamika.

"Her ability to deliver her speech was engaging and educational. It has been great to see a local girl get so far in the competition and to be given an opportunity that empowers women and girls to use their voices and showcase their skills."

The national final will be held in Wexford on March 4 where Tamika will be up against seven other speakers from around Ireland.

If successful she will be invited to speak at the International Conference which will be held in the conference centre in Dublin this year.

"‘This has been a wonderful opportunity for the students in our school," Deputy Principal Eilish O’Leary said.
"The mission of the Soroptimists is to transform the lives and status of women and girls through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities. This competition has already provided Tamika with excellent opportunities to work towards her future career. We wish her all the best in the national final in March."

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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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