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“We need two more weeks of rest to weaken the virus” – Taoiseach

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By Michelle Crean

 

In a live address to the nation this evening (Friday) Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced that most restrictions will remain until May 18 – with a few slight changes:

 

  • Exercise limit extended to 5km

 

  • Five stage reopening plan with the fifth stage starting on August 10

 

  • Over 70s can leave home from Tuesday - public health advice is 5km for a walk or drive - but avoid all contact with others

 

  • Schools and colleges to go back in September for the new term

 

  • From May 18 certain businesses can open, sports activities allowed in small groups, and gatherings of small family/friends will also be OK

 

 

It has been a difficult balancing act for the Government in terms of the economy, the social and mental health impacts, as there’s a fear that if restrictions are lifted too fast cases will soar. This evening the Dept. of health announced that there are currently a total of 20,833 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland and 1,265* COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland, including 34 today.

 

“We need two more weeks of tight restrictions to weaken the virus further, so it doesn’t have the strength to come back,” he said, stating the economy “has been battered” and “society put to the ultimate test”.

 

“We have a plan to reopen the country in a slow staged phased way – five stages, three weeks apart starting on May 18, with the fifth phase on August 10.”

 

He added that 70 percent of people diagnosed with COVID-19 have recovered, and that if the public hadn’t worked so hard it could have potentially been much worse.

“I yearn for the day that it stops. Thanks to you we are making a difference in the fight against COVID-19. It is working so let’s finish what we started,” Mr Varadkar said.

He finished by saying that tomorrow morning (Saturday) Cabinet will meet to discuss when businesses can restart again.

“We will do everything possible to get enterprises back up and running. Tonight there is hope. In the weeks ahead that hope will drive us forward.”

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New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

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A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.

Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.

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