What happened in Kerry this week

Tralee Garda Mary Gardiner hasn't got the blues - but danced her way to victory as a Blues Brother in a major New York event that has raised tens of thousands for charity.

There was an outpouring of shock and heartbreak in the community of Kilmoyley this week when Lillie Gaynor, the bright, kind-hearted, and accomplished North Kerry teenager was laid to rest.

A Ballyheigue native, who is passionate about breathing life back into old houses, will feature as an expert on the new season of RTÉ's ‘Cheap Irish Homes’.

The eldest child of Listowel Senator Mike Kennelly will be formally co-opted onto Kerry County Council on April 28, it has been confirmed.

To represent the challenges and struggles often faced by those diagnosed with cancer, fitness coach Alan Guilfoyle is taking on a 10,000 swing kettlebell challenge in his studio in Tralee this Thursday.

Elaine Foley's 10-year-old son Jamie is excluded from many aspects of life in Moyvane, because he is unable to attend the local school – even though the principal and the board of management are fully behind opening a special education class.

Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.



Architect Tadhg builds his starring role

A Ballyheigue native who is passionate about breathing life back into old houses will feature as an expert on the new season of RTÉ's ‘Cheap Irish Homes’.

And proof that architect Tadhg Casey believes in the value of restoration is found in his own 145-year-old home –which he and his partner Niamh Cunningham bought in Tralee town centre in 2021.

The couple, who have two small children, spent three years restoring their three-storey property, and are now enjoying the results of their efforts.

Tadhg said: “These houses are so rich in history. And there is so much potential in Tralee alone.

Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.



Tralee man takes on kettlebell challenge

To represent the challenges and struggles often faced by those diagnosed with cancer, a fitness coach is taking on a 10,000 swing kettlebell challenge in his studio in Tralee this Thursday.

Taking on the challenge is Alan Guilfoyle, who has been a head coach in fitness for 40 years, and is well known in fitness circles through his businesses,Black Belt Martial Art, the B.Fit Academy and Kingdom Kettle Bells Club.

Alan is taking on the challenge on the anniversary of his mother Norah Guilfoyle’s passing to cancer.

Sadly, Norah who was 83 when she passed away, died just a week after her cancer diagnosis. Alan described her as ‘his rock’ who was always there for her five children.

Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.



Empty classroom but no autism unit

ELAINE FOLEY’S 10-year-old son Jamie is excluded from many aspects of life in Moyvane, because he is unable to attend the local school – even though the principal and the board of management are fully behind opening a special education class.

When Elaine moved home to Moyvane from Galway with her six children, she enrolled Jamie who has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Athea National School.

Although she’s very happy with the school, she would love if Jamie could attend school locally with his siblings and get more involved in parish life.

Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.



Pageant brings Easter story to life

YOUNG and old alike are putting the final touches toEaster festivities together as Tralee’s annual Good Friday Pageant takes centre stage in St John’s Church once again. 

The pageant, which takes place at 3pm this Friday, is part of the traditional Good Friday ceremony that commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

The dramatic presentation of the Good Friday Gospel will be ‘staged’ by over 40 parishioners-turned-actors from the Tralee area that make up the Parish Liturgy Drama Group.

The pageant will be performed in mime, with narrators telling the story of the capture, condemnation, sentencing, scourging and crucifixion of Jesus Christ and of the heartbreak of his mother, Mary, and the very small group of early Christian followers.

Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.



Lenamore adds two classrooms

A North Kerry school that was at risk of closing down is celebrating a major victory - after doubling the number of pupils and getting a grant for a two-classroom extension.

Lenamore Primary School, a co-educational Catholic school, serving the communities in North Kerry had just eight pupils when Principal Tara Mulvihill took over in 2023.

Two years on, and the school is thriving –its future secured by an influx of pupils and a grant from the Department of Education, helped along by the then Minister for Education Norma Foley TD.

Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.



National film award for Cahersiveen film group

A Cahersiveen-based Youth Film Group who are all from Ukraine have won a National Film Award for a powerful documentary that explores themes of identity, displacement, and resilience.

Five members of the group of seven, Dmytro Solohub, Mark Fedan, Varvara Fedorovska, Margarita Savynetska, and Sofiia Laptenko, travelled to Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards in Dublin and claimed a prestigious national accolade at this year’s Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards.

Part of Cahersiveen Youth Film Group, which is supported by Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry Education and Training Board, they were honoured with the Radharc Trust Award for their short documentary ‘Home from Home’.

Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.