News
Victoria Volkova: I want to teach children English
By Natalia Krashanova
Viktoria Volkova is a Ukrainian who arrived in Killarney three months ago.
She is a beautiful, nice and intelligent woman. At the time she reached Ireland with her teenage daughter and her mother, she had had covered a journey of 3,300 km from Kherson, occupied by the Russian military, to Killarney.
She drove her car with her elderly mother, her daughter and a dog. The traveling trio finally made it to their destination and boarded the plane to Ireland.
From the very beginning of the war the outskirts of the city of Kherson, in the south of Ukraine, was under constant shelling.
Victoria, her daughter and her elderly mother had to move to her friends’ house because they had a basement. It served as a shelter from Russian missiles.
“It was the beginning of March. There was no heating in the basement, so it was very cold.
We brought blankets and warm things, a minimum supply of food, water and TV. We got to know last news from it. There were 13 of us in the basement. When the shooting stopped, we went out to get food, but the shops were mostly closed. We bought everything we could find, even chicken feet, which we could also cook in soup,” recalls Victoria.
“All the time, while we were living in the basement, we hoped that the Ukrainian army would be able to recapture our city. However, the Russian army firmly occupied Kherson, having established checkpoints and brought in bunch of military equipment, tried to set its administration (to this day, the city of Kherson is under the occupation of Russia).
After a month spent in the basement, she realised that it was time to leave the city before it was too late.
But the Russian army did not give civilians a ‘green corridor’.
They decided to evacuate on their own.
They left Kherson at the end of March in their car, joining a line with other cars through mined fields. Every minute there was a risk of blowing up a mine or being attacked from the air.
Fortunately, the women reached a Ukrainian checkpoint. When Victoria saw the soldiers in Ukrainian uniforms, she understood that they had managed to escape from the encirclement. Then she cried for the first time.
Victoria Volkova is a teacher of English and piano. The first thing she did in Killarney was to obtain registration and confirmation of her teacher’s diploma.
She is one of the first Ukrainians who was able to confirm her diploma and registrated with the Teaching Council of Ireland.
Now Victoria is waiting for an opportunity to continue working as an English teacher in one of the schools in Killarney.
“I see that not all Ukrainian children speak English well. Therefore, I will be glad to help them. Because only knowing the language can help Ukrainians fully integrate into Irish society,” says Victoria.
Victoria currently works at Kerry ETB where she helps to organise English language courses
for Ukrainians. Knowledge of Ukrainian, Russian and English enables to Victoria effectively
organise the work at the language centre.
One in five Ukrainian refugees, who have arrived in Ireland since the war broke out, have already found employment, while almost two thirds of the remainder are actively looking for work. This is one of the principal findings of the inaugural survey of Ukrainian refugees carried out by Ukrainian Action In Ireland (UACT), a registered non-profit committed to supporting Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees.
One of the biggest issues facing Ukrainian refugees in accessing language courses, with almost half of all respondents speaking little or no English and 63% experiencing a language barrier in their search for a job. More than half of Ukrainians are studying English by themselves using online resources. 40% of them are attending English classes in person.
WEEK 14
Felicity’s Summer in Killarney
Previously: Here on Dundag it was far easier to relax than anywhere else. They had a picnic blanket, some cold drinks and what felt like all the time in the world.
“I can’t believe I leave on Monday” Felicity said tiredly.
“Neither can I. This summer has flown. Tell me you have plans to come back sometime soon though? I don’t think Sheila and I can be as good of a mischief-making duo as me and you.”
Felicity had already spoken with her parents about her return to Killarney. “I’d like to come back for Halloween. Who knows, with my apprenticeship you may be seeing a lot more of me.”
Felicity glanced at Jack, who was looking far out over the lake. “That wouldn’t be so bad.” He paused. “There’s loads of things to do in Kerry around Halloween. There are countless events and festivals in the surrounding towns and parishes.”
“That would be nice. I love Halloween, it would be great to see how ye do it down here.” A few years ago she and her friends had run a school scare event in Dublin, for TYs and above only. It had been some of the best fun they’d had in school together.
“It’s going to be really strange not having you just around the corner anymore. I’ve gotten so used to showing up at Sheila’s and you being there.”
Knowing that her friends were going to miss her so much made Felicity’s chest twist. She knew that Auntie Sheila wasn’t looking forward to her leaving either. “At least I’ll be back soon. You’ll be seeing me off of the train before you can blink.”
“Yeah, I can’t wait.”
A few hours passed before Felicity and Jack returned to Hedgerow Place. Jack dropped her off at the door, promising to meet her at the bus station tomorrow to see her off. Felicity trudged towards the door morosely.
Auntie Sheila met her on the other side with a sad smile. “Hopefully you’ll be back soon poppet. I suppose for now you should probably pack.”
Felicity nodded and made her way upstairs. She entered the spare room , her room now, really. Auntie Sheila had offered her it permanently if she were to get her apprenticeship. That would be a dream come true, to live in Killarney and have something as exciting as an apprenticeship to work on.
Felicity packed slowly. She let herself daydream about what her life could look like, and how easy it would be to sink into it. Thoughts of coming back here, to a room that was fully hers circled around her head. Felicity looked around her room as she slowly progressed towards fitting her whole summer into just the two small suitcases and backpack that she had come to Killarney with.
It felt like her experiences were too big, too meaningful to pack away with her. Too much had happened this summer to pack it all away. The only solace, Felicity thought, was that she had to go so that she could come back again.
The Bus
Now she was standing once more at Killarney Bus Station, waiting to get the Expressway back to Cork before the next leg to Dublin. Auntie Sheila and Jack both stood nearby waiting to see her off.
Felicity had spent the last few days packing, reminiscing on her time in Killarney as if it were years ago, and had not started a mere three months previously. The adventures she’d had and the friends she made were all so different from what she knew in Dublin. It almost felt like going back to the city was going back to a different world, a different life.
“You have to stay in touch,” Jack said with a frown. “And I will hold you to your promise to come back at Halloween. We have to go to some of the Halloween events. I know it’s a trek down but it will be faster by train.”
Felicity didn’t know why her parents had booked her a bus down and back and not the train, but she was almost thankful for the extra travel time on the way back. It would take all of it and more to acclimatise back into her old life.
When the bus arrived, Jack helped her stow her luggage in the undercarriage. It was with a heavy heart and tearful eyes that she hugged them both goodbye. Felicity promised both to them and to herself that she would be back for Halloween, even if she didn’t get her apprenticeship, she would make the time around her college schedule to visit. God, she should have applied for college in Killarney. If only she had known what it was like when she was filling out her CAO.
Felicity trudged up the steps onto the bus. She hadn’t missed how cramped the seats were. The train would undoubtedly be the better option for her return.
She turned and waved at Jack and Auntie Sheila as the bus pulled out of its berth. She could see Auntie Sheila smiling up at her. Something her aunt had told her the night before swirled around in her head. “It doesn’t matter that you’re leaving now,” she had said, “because you’ve been to Killarney once, and now there will always be a home for you here.”
Summer in Killarney had been transformative, to say the least. The bus went around the Daly’s roundabout and travelled down the hill towards Cork. Felicity looked longingly at the turn to Woodlawn Road as they trundled by. Killarney, and Auntie Sheila’s little house on Hedgerow Place, had snuck its way into her heart. Felicity was going to miss it. She couldn’t wait to come back again.
Frustration mounts over morning gridlock at Coolcorcoran
Mounting traffic gridlock at the Coolcorcoran junction onto the N22 Killarney Bypass is causing daily delays for commuters, with local motorists calling on Killarney Municipal District and elected representatives to take immediate action.
Early morning traffic coming from the Tralee side has become severely backed up past BG Motors during the peak 8.15am commute.
Motorists attempting to enter the bypass from the Coolcorcoran side face long queues and increasing frustration as they struggle to join the main road.
Local drivers point to a specific design issue at the exit, where a raised kerb and a section of unused footpath prevent left-turning vehicles from merging smoothly into the traffic flow.
Road users are requesting a simple layout modification to resolve the bottleneck: converting the exit to left-turn only, removing the kerb obstruction, and directing driver traffic to loop via a U-turn at the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre roundabout. Similar left-turn measures were previously implemented at the nearby Lewis Road junction to improve safety and traffic flow.
The request comes as broader plans for the N22 bypass upgrade and new link road infrastructure remain under progression by Kerry County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
Motorists wishing to share their views on local road issues can email info@killarneyadvertiser.ie.
WEEK 14: Felicity’s Summer in Killarney
WEEK 14Felicity’s Summer in Killarney Previously: Here on Dundag it was far easier to relax than anywhere else. They had...
Frustration mounts over morning gridlock at Coolcorcoran
Frustration mounts over morning gridlock at Coolcorcoran Mounting traffic gridlock at the Coolcorcoran junction onto the N22 Killarney Bypass is...
Ailbhe Keogan scoops top television writing award
Acclaimed Kerry screenwriter Ailbhe Keogan has won the Best TV Drama Script award at the 19th Writers’ Guild of Ireland...
Strong turnout for St Paul’s Golf Classic at Beaufort
After a recent spell of indifferent weather, glorious sunshine and a gentle breeze greeted 35 teams at Beaufort Golf Course...
€150,000 granted to draft masterplan for St Finan’s site
Kerry County Council has been awarded €150,000 in government funding to progress a Masterplan and Infrastructure Delivery Plan for the...
Fossa Swimmers make a splash at County Finals
The Fossa Swim team pictured at the Tralee Sports Complex following their successful outing at the County Finals of the...
On the Ball Part 2 of the Mikey Daly Interview
Éamonn Fitzgerald EF: Killarney Celtic are invited to participate in an Irish competition. That has big financial implications for travel,...
LUKE MANGAN recently caught up with Kerry FC’s manager, Colin Healy.
He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager. Here’s how it went: When you began your...
Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic
Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1) Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell Saturday 7.30pm Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre...
Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan
After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork...
