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Young explorers are ocean champions

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By Michelle Crean

Exploring the sea creatures and the impact humans have on the ocean has helped a Killorglin school get top marks in a national programme.

EYE EYE: Brian Moriarty from First Class in Scoil Realt na Mara gets up close to a seal's eyeball with principal Elaine Kelliher as part of The Explorers Ocean Champion Award. Photo: Sally MacMonagle

SQUISHY: Emma Hannon and Lucy Moriarty from Scoil Realt na Mara in Cromane get up close to dissect and learn all about squids as part of The Explorers Ocean Champion Award. Photo: Sally MacMonagle

DISCOVERING: Adam Costelloe and Dylan O’Sullivan from First Class in Scoil Realt na Mara in Cromane learning all about aquatic mammal skulls as part of The Explorers Ocean Champion Award. Photo: Sally MacMonagle

The Explorers ‘We Are Ocean Champions’ all-school project by the Marine Institute reached more than 3,500 children nationally with Scoil Réalt na Mara receiving one of the top six awards presented.

The children who received an 'Award of Excellence – Ocean Literacy Creative Project' celebrated their win at a school ceremony on Thursday last. 

"The children’s enthusiasm, knowledge, and creative ideas for the future of the marine environment is inspiring and is evident in their class work, from creating musical pieces and models to clean the ocean, to cooking with seaweed," Cushla Dromgool-Regan, Marine Institute Explorers Programme Manager, said.

"The fact that each class contributed to this project was an amazing accomplishment by everyone involved. Through their ocean literacy project they demonstrated how the ocean impacts all our lives and also the impact we all have on the ocean."

School principal Elaine Kelliher said they were delighted, not only to have participated in the Explorers programme, but to be Ocean Champions 2021-2022.

“We’re a school based in a rural coastal community situated in the beautiful Cromane," she said.

"This project has served to heighten our awareness of the relationship we have with the sea and in keeping our oceans healthy. For our project ‘We Are Ocean Champions!’, the children created projects based on food, art inventions and music, and participated in seashore safaris on Cromane Beach with LH Sea Synergy marine biologists," she added.

“Their work was displayed in the local beach café, ‘The Boathouse’ which was an opportunity for the community to view the work being undertaken in our school. We would highly recommend the Marine Explorers to all schools.”

The Ocean Champion Project and Awards initiative is led by the Programme Manager, Camden Education Trust.

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Kerry coaches firm honoured with All-Ireland title

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Kerry Coaches named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025

Killarney-based Kerry Coaches has been named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025 by the All-Ireland Business Foundation. This recognition also marks Kerry Coaches’ second Business All-Star Accreditation, having received its first accolade in 2024.

Founded in 1957, Kerry Coaches has established itself as a leader in the Irish transport industry, known for its exceptional service and commitment to quality.  With a fleet of over 100 modern chauffeur vehicles, mini-buses and coaches the company provides a wide range of transport services, including corporate travel, executive golf transportation and bespoke tours throughout Ireland and Scotland.

 Speaking on the achievement, Mike Buckley, Director of Kerry Coaches, said:

“We are incredibly proud to receive this national recognition from the All-Ireland Business Foundation. It’s a true reflection of the dedication, professionalism, and passion shown by every member of our team. Our mission has always been to deliver exceptional travel experiences, and this award reaffirms our position as a leader in the industry.”

Announcing the news of Kerry Coaches’ achievement, Deputy Chair of AIBF’s Adjudication Board, Kieran Ring, said: “It is my pleasure to commend Kerry Coaches for its outstanding performance in achieving the Business All-Star accreditation. After a thorough review, the firm has been honoured with All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company Of The Year 2025. Kerry Coaches is distinguished not only for its superior fleet but also for its exceptional team, some of whom have been with the company for over 25 years. This seasoned team brings an extraordinary level of knowledge and expertise, ensuring that every client experience is exceptional.”         

Managing   Director   of   the   All-Ireland   Business   Foundation, Kapil   Khanna, said:  “The accreditation, which is now held by over 700 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards but have nothing to measure them by.”

He   added: “We   evaluate   a   company’s   background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics.”

About The All-Ireland Business Foundation

The All-Ireland Business Foundation is an autonomous national accreditation body tasked with enterprise development and the promotion of Best-in-Class Irish businesses.

As the accreditation body for the Business All-Star mark, the AIBF recognises Best-In-Class Irish 

businesses.   Companies   that   merit   recognition   based   on   an   independent   audit   of   their performance, reputation, and customer-centricity.

Business All-Star Accreditation Is The Nation’s Symbol Of Trust. Currently, there are over 700 

companies that are accredited by AIBF. Since 2014, over 5000 companies have participated in their programmes.

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Trainee Blacksmith forging a career at Muckross Traditional Farms

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Phillip Pestor-Young, a trainee blacksmith from County Kildare, is currently gaining experience under Master Blacksmith Tom Allison at Muckross Traditional Farms.

Pestor-Young is enrolled in the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme. This programme is a cross-border educational initiative by the King’s Foundation, The Heritage Council, and the Historic Environment Division in Northern Ireland. 

Prior to moving to Ireland in 2019, Phillip trained as an engineer and fabricator in the UK. He is now developing his blacksmithing skills in Kerry.

For more information on the program, visit https://kings-foundation.org/study/all-ireland-heritage-skills-programme/.

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