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White-tailed sea eagle chicks spread their wings

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Eddie the white-tailed eagle. PICTURE: VALERIE O'SULLIVAN

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Eddie the white-tailed eagle. PICTURE: VALERIE O'SULLIVAN

Eddie the white-tailed eagle. PICTURE: VALERIE O'SULLIVAN

THIS year’s crop of six young white-tailed sea eagle chicks are now busy exploring the wider world around them as they break their ties with their parents and learn to fend for themselves. After taking flight for the first time in July, at 11-14 weeks old, the youngsters are now proficient fliers so it came as no surprise when one was spotted by a local farmer on Inis Meáin in the Aran Islands. Others have dispersed to south-west Kerry and east Galway.

The 2016 Killarney chick, a female named ‘Danú’ named after the Celtic goddess or the nearby Paps of Danú, left her nest in mid-July but only began to venture away from the lakes of Killarney in late September. She returned to Killarney then finally departed on October 1 when she headed west towards Waterville where she remains. Her satellite tracks show that she even spent the night next to another eagle nest in west Kerry that also produced a chick this year.

Meanwhile the last straggler to leave home, ‘Eddie’ the Glengarriff chick, is yet to make the move out while his parents continue to feed him. Both parents and chick have been thrilling local boatmen and tourists.
Time will tell how these young eagles will fare. “Some may not make it through their first winter when having to find enough food to survive is a big challenge. Young eagles are especially dependent on carrion cavenge often in the uplands. However, the omens so far are encouraging for this new generation of wild Irish-bred birds,” said Dr Allan Mee of the Irish White-tailed Sea Eagle Reintroduction Programme.
 


 
Above: Eddie the white-tailed eagle. PICTURE: VALERIE O'SULLIVAN

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Spa and Glenflesk GAA clubs in Scór na nÓg All-Ireland Finals

Killarney will be the focus of the national Scór stage this Saturday, as the Gleneagle INEC Arena hosts the Scór na nÓg All-Ireland Finals. Two local clubs, Spa and Glenflesk, […]

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Killarney will be the focus of the national Scór stage this Saturday, as the Gleneagle INEC Arena hosts the Scór na nÓg All-Ireland Finals.

Two local clubs, Spa and Glenflesk, will carry the hopes of the county as they compete for national titles.
Representing Spa GAA is the Rince Seit (Set Dancing) team, who secured their place in the final after being crowned Munster champions in November.
Joining them in the finals are the Glenflesk GAA Ballad Group.

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End of an era as High Street restaurant closes after 30 years

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It is the end of an era for High Street this week as Marguerite’s Restaurant, still fondly known to generations of locals as Scéal Eile, has closed its doors for the final time.


The closure marks the end of more than 30 years of business at the popular town centre landmark.


The restaurant underwent a major refurbishment and name change in 2021.


Operated by the Condon family of Marguerite’s Home Bakery in Newcastle West, the café was rebranded from Scéal Eile to Marguerites at that time, though the name Scéal Eile remained synonymous with the premises for many locals.


In a poignant closing notice shared on social media, manager Annette Horgan expressed how difficult it was to put the restaurant’s legacy into words.

She described the business as far more than just a workplace, calling it a “second home” filled with treasured memories and lasting friendships.


Annette extended a sincere thank you to the loyal customers and friends whose kindness and familiar faces supported the business over the decades.

She also paid tribute to the professionalism and teamwork of the management and staff, both past and present.


The message included a special tribute to two late colleagues and dear friends, Kaye and Marie, who were remembered with love.

Annette also extended her thanks to the Condon family, wishing them success in their future retirements.


“As this chapter comes to a close for me, I will carry with me the wonderful memories and the many special people I have had the privilege to meet throughout the years,” she added.

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