THE KERRYMAN I Wednesday, May 27, 2015 13

South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd

John Cronin, Paddy Casey, Eugene Dennehy, Jimmy O’Sullivan, Rod Robinson, Tim O’Shea, James McGillicuddy and Frank Sugrue of the Old Hatchery Dromid. Waterville Lakes and Rivers Trust WATERVILLE Lakes and Rivers Trust is a not- to protect and conserve the natural environment the loss of salmon smolts as they migrate to sea,” conserved and maintained the salmons’ natural for-profit organisation that is concerned with the and to educate local children and adults about said Rod Robinson, who volunteers with the Trust. environment and have also become highly-skilled conservation and enhancement of the rivers, lakes the importance of such a rich treasure right on “We estimate that this year, 20% of the returning at helping with the management of the hatchery. and streams and their flora and fauna for which their doorstep. salmon caught on Lough Currane originated in “The guys who work with us are first class,” said the region is so well known. Every year, Inland Fisheries help the Trust to the hatchery.” Rod, who explained that there are four people from The group was established in 2009 by a group net ten hen and ten cock salmon and bring them Central to the success of this project is the the RSS scheme who have been with the Trust for of dedicated volunteers who decided it was time to to the hatchery – a specially built facility where upkeep of the fishery - the various fresh water quite some time. “They clear up any blockages revitalise the project following its first formation in the fish are artificially spawned. The eggs are locations where the salmon and seatrout come in the rivers and streams, revive the gravel, help the 1980s. Now, the Trust is fully up and running hatched and the young salmon grow to the point to breed. Both salmon and sea trout spawn in the maintain the hatchery and assist in the office. and focused on its mission to enhance the stock where they can be tagged and released to continue gravelly parts of the rivers and streams which It’s very important that people are sensitive to of wild Atlantic salmon and seatrout in the Wa- their life cycle in the wild. “Because of the threat of need to be clean and accessible in order to attract conservation issues and the RSS boys probably terville system to encourage sustainable angling, aquaculture, it’s important to help mitigate against them. For several years now, RSS participants have know more about it all at this stage, than we do.” 14 THE KERRYMAN I Wednesday, May 27, 2015 THE KERRYMAN I Wednesday, May 27, 2015 15

South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd Kerry Mental Health Association KERRY Mental Health Association (KMHA) has two aims: to promote positive mental health and to support people with mental health issues – and their carers – by identifying their needs and advocating for their rights. Part of this mission includes the provision of social housing and KMHA, which is run completely by volunteers, coordinates the funding, acquisition and management of suit- able accommodation. “We are registered as an approved housing body,” said Dan O’Connor, who is Housing Manager for all of the prop- erties throughout Kerry. There are nine branches of the KMHA throughout the county and its South Kerry branches receive support from the South Kerry Development Partnership. Volunteers in each of the branches liasie with service providers and service users in their particular area to identify who is in need of housing. “Our people on the ground are the lifeblood of the Association,” said Dan. Another invaluable resource to the Asso- ciation is the team of RSS participants who Dan O’Connor Housing Manager Kerry Mental Health Association, Dermot Lynch, Christy O’Connell, Donie O’Sullivan SKDP Board member, Debbie MaGill help to maintain the numerous properties Iveragh Mental Health committee and Tom Fitzgerald Supervisor at the Kerry Mental Health House in . under management of the KMHA. “When we identify an issue or a need in a house, the RSS scheme provides the manpower we need, be it for general maintenance, decorating, painting or cutting lawns,” Dan said, “and this service is available to all branches of KMHA under Tom Fitzgerald, Noreen O’Donoghue, Caroline Roddy, Michael O’Driscoll, Chris MaGuire, Micheal O’Shea, Mary Cournanje and Kitty King of the Cahersiveen Social Services. the jursidication represented by the SKDP. They’re a fantastic group to work with – the participants and the supervisors.” The KMHA has availed of the RSS scheme for the last three years or so and Dan said that he has always found the workmanship to be of a very high standard. Having the scheme Cahirciveen Social Services work provides the Association with a valuable and skilled pool of people, which helps them to CAHIRCIVEEN Social Services help them to maintain the proper- keep the costs down at a time when funds are (CSS) is a not-for-profit community ties by doing light carpentry work, extremely tight. organisation that provides live-in painting, repairs and gardening. There is another, less tangible benefit to accommodation and a day care “We have a garden with potatoes having access to RSS participants, which Dan centre for the elderly in the area. and other vegetables and we use the believes is also very important – the interaction Residents are housed in a number produce to make meals on wheels,” between them and the house residents. “It plays of individual apartments and houses Chris said. “The RSS participants set a hugh role in breaking down stigmas because and although they live independent- and look after all of it and they dig they interact with tenants, so it increases their ly, they can call on the Cahirsiveen and deliver the fresh vegetables to understanding of mental health issues,” he said. Social Serivices for assistance if they the day care centre. They’re excel- Lisa Murphy and Ger Moynihan SKDP with Patrick O’Donoghue and Pat O’Brien in the Kerry Mental Health Clubhouse, (formerly Ross Products). do not have relatives to help them. lent workers and we avail of their Residents come to the day centre skills, I can tell you. The RSS scheme for their meals, which are partly supplements the work that needs subsidised by the HSE. Volunteers to be done here and that we’re not from the CSS also deliver meals on qualified to do.” wheels and transport senior citizens A big advantage of having the to and from the day centre where RSS participants on board is the they can participate in various Cahirsiveen Social Services can call activities. on different people, depending on “We organise day trips three the nature of the job. “We can call or four times a year to places like on the right people for the right job , or Bunratty,” said and to do what needs to be done.” Chris Maguire, Secretary of CSS. Chris said. “They’re vital to us. Years The CSS is run by volunteers and ago, people had time to volunteer relies on fundraising to keep its but now they have to work more, doors open so it is delighted to avail so without the scheme we definitely of the skills of RSS participants who wouldn’t function.” Micheal O’Shea and Brendan O’Sullivan stonemasons in Caherciveen. 16 THE KERRYMAN I Wednesday, May 27, 2015 THE KERRYMAN I Wednesday, May 27, 2015 17

South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd

KILLARNEY RSS Supervisors Breda O’Shea T. 087 971 5446 E. [email protected]

TUS Supervisors Ger Moynihan T. 087 124 0365 E. [email protected] Lisa Murphy T. 087 212 6551 E. [email protected] Kerry Life Skills

KERRY Life Skills is a charity that aims to help of a particular school, delivering them in the young people develop effective skills for living classroom or at a youth-based community centre. Joe McCrohan SKDP, Eugene Doherty, Peter Moynihan, ger Moynihan SKDP, Liam McGuire and Mike Fuller Killarney Rugby Club preparing the grounds at Killarney Rugby Club. and to foster positive mental health. A regis- Kerry Life Skills has three paid staff and a tered charity with close ties to the HSE, Kerry board of management that consists entirely of Life Skills first began in Killarney in 2001 when volunteers, so they are delighted to have partic- members of Killarney Town Council became ipants from the RSS scheme to help them with concerned about the misuse of drugs and alcohol the logistics of spreading their positive message by young people in the area. to children. Since then, the organisation has expanded “We’ve been involved with the scheme since Killarney Rugby Club its breadth of programs to help young people, 2005, specifically with the mobile classroom unit. aged between four and 19 years, to address the The RSS participants prepare the unit, transport pressures and challenges of everyday living to it to a school site and set up it safely. Actually, “RUGBY is a game for all ages, shapes and that there is gas for the showers, mend fenc- us,” said Mike. “They have particular skills include topics such as self esteem, developing it’s a very skilled job, getting it there,” said Chris. sizes, from the light and fast to the big es and do other light maintenance work.” like blocklaying, stonework and carpentry resilience, health, nutrition, peer dynamics, “This is a specific skill and frankly, without and strong. It’s about having a mixture of In 2012, the Club purchased 13.5 acres of that they can apply to our project that we, bullying and social media issues. them, we’d be very hard pushed to deliver the physiques on the playing field and this is land in the Caher section of Aghadoe and as volunteers, simply don’t know how to In 2004, Kerry Life Skills launched its mo- service. The RSS team comes in as needed and what attracts people to it,” said Mike Fuller, outside contractors have already begun do. They have been a lifeline for us.” bile classroom unit to deliver their programs they are extremely flexible and helpful. There is President of Killarney Rugby Football Club. to develop the site. “There was a lot of With plans to build a state-of-the-art specifically to primary school children all over a good nucleus of guys that are definitely part of An enthusiastic player himself back in bogland and we had to completely reclaim Club house, Killarney FRC predicts a bright the county. our team. What they do is integral to delivering Timmy Moriarty, Margaret O’Shea Chairperson, Joanne O’Shea Secretary, Joe McCrohan SKDP, Frank the day, Mike now leads a strong club that the land,” Mike said. future where they hope their new facility “The primary programs we roll out are based our service.” Heffernan Department of Social Protection (back from left) Donal Foley, Michael Long, Ben Courtney, has 220 members of which almost half are The Club is still based in Ballydribben will become a national and international on The Life Education program that started in Over the years, Kerry Life Skills has built up Paul Griffin, Neilie O’Sullivan, Padraic O’Sullivan and John O’Sullivan of the Beaufort Tidy Towns. juvenile players. but now with the new site to manage, the attraction for “rugby tourism.” Australia in 1979 and is now internationally a great working relationship with the RSS su- The present iteration of the Club was committee is delighted to have the skillset “We’re like every other community recognized in 15 countries,” said Chris Barrow, pervisors. “They understand what we need and formed in 1983 and was of no fixed above that the TUS participants can bring to the sports group – we’re on a tight budget and Project Manager at Kerry Life Skills. At post are aware of the nuances in what we do,” Chris for a while before the Club finally leased a project. They have been involved in the we couldn’t possibly cover the cost of the primary level, the organisation takes a different said. “It’s an absolutely brilliant scheme and the spot fifteen years ago in Ballydribben, near creation of an exercise trail that is being work that the TUS lads do. They’ve been approach and tailors its programs to the needs difference they’ve made to us is immeasurable.” Fitzgerald Stadium. built inside the perimeter of the site that fantastic and enthusiastic, down to the last Beaufort Tidy Towns “Over the years, we have used TUS work- will not only serve as a training facility man,” Mike said. ers to help us maintain the pitch and our for members, but will also be open to the “These work schemes are invaluable temporary clubhouse,” said Mike. “They public in due course. to a Club like us. We have a strong future THE picturesque village of Beaufort, outside around the village,” said Padruig. The TUS partic- keep the dressing rooms clean, make sure “These scheme participants are vital to because of the help of the SKDP.” Killarney, is notable for the proliferation of old ipants are all from mid-Kerry area. “They are all landlord estates in its midst that lend a unique very dedicated to the craft of stonemasonry,” he feel and character to this beautiful spot. A few added. “There is no way that volunteers could do years ago, a small group of residents got together this stonework. It’s very specialised and the walls and decided to form a Tidy Towns committee to would be nothing without the TUS participants.” make the most of what the village had to offer. The Tidy Towns recently acquired the building “We wanted to bring the village to a new level,” that housed the former Garda station and the said Padruig O’Sullivan, Vice Chairperson of the TUS team has been busy helping out here also. committee. On the grounds is a polytunnel where they grow “Initially, we did things like hanging flower vegetables and flowers and have built a compost baskets over the bridge as you come into the system. “We have a meals on wheels service in village, installing outside benches, making the area so we grow a certain amount of produce flowerbeds and making sure the roadsides were in the Garda station grounds and bring it up to litter free.” Beaufort Parish Hall, our local community centre, They also decided to install a Tree Trail that to use as fresh ingredients for the dinners. Any nature lovers can follow around the town, and food waste is then brought back to the compost beyond, to discover all about the range of trees block,” Padruig said. that grow there, such as the Spanish Chestnut. As volunteers, the Tidy Towns committee There’s an information board at the beginning is particularly grateful for the help of the TUS of the trail and information booklets are also scheme. “People can only do so much voluntary available. work because they have day jobs and families to While all these developments are important, look after,” said Padruig. “The TUS participants it is the stone walls - remnants of the old estates are obliging and helpful and Donal Foley, the Joe McCrohan and Breda O’Shea SKDP, Chris Barrow and Sheila Casey Chairpwerson Kerry Life - that are Beaufort’s main feature, “We have four scheme supervisor, takes on all our requests and Education, Billy McCarthy, Teacher Mary O’Donoghe, Liam Courtney at the Kerry Life Education TUS participants to help us restore the old walls always does his best to help us.” Centre in St Oliver’s National School, Killarney.

Joe McCrohan SKDP, Eugene Doherty, Peter Moynihan, Ger Moynihan SKDP, Liam McGuire and Mike Fuller, preparing the grounds at Killarney Rugby Club. 18 THE KERRYMAN I Wednesday, May 27, 2015 THE KERRYMAN I Wednesday, May 27, 2015 19

South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd ‘Killarney looking good’ statue

ON Mission Road in Killarney, at the Jarvey en- Michael O’Leary, formerly Killarney Town trance, is a large slab of Kilkenny stone mounted Clerk was involved in setting up the project. on a metal stand. “When we became aware of Laetitia’s skills we Carved beautifully into the stone’s face is the felt we should avail of the opportunity to create figure of a man on horseback – an image that de- a significant work of art for Killarney,” he said. picts the story of an Irish Chieftain, O’Donoghue, “It also gave Laetitia the opportunity to work who as the legend goes, rises up from Lough in her profession. Leane every year on May Day. Beside this stone “Many of the TUS participants we used in there is a ‘book,’ a standalone piece of art that the past were extremely talented but we weren’t gives the full story behind the myth. expecting a sculptor to be involved in the scheme. The artwork also represents something else: It just shows the breadth of the TUS scheme in it is a testament not only to the great things terms of the talented people in it.” that can happen when community groups work The Town Council banded together with the together but to the importance of harnessing the Tidy Towns group known as ‘Killarney Looking talents of TUS participants for the betterment Good, the Killarney Arts Committee, Kerry Men- of a whole town. tal Health Association, Killarney Asylum Seekers About three years ago, Laetitia Mangin, a Initiative (KASI) and the local Men’s Shed who French sculptor and TUS participant, came to the all played their part in facilitating the project. attention of her supervisor for her outstanding “It’s important for people to embrace the skills as an artist. “Her work was spectacular,” opportunity that TUS provides them,” said said Lisa Murphy, TUS supervisor. “It goes to Lisa. “This piece of beautiful art is measurable, show that people on this scheme are so talented quantifiable and there for all to see. This is an and the SKDP is there to really promote any op- example of a talent nurtured and the benefit was Claire McCarthy, Cathal Griffin, Lisa Murphy SKDP, Katie Gleeson (back from left) Melanie Paul, Kelly Joy, Hayley and Pauline Ferguson, Denis Cronin, Stephen Brosnan, Michael O’Donoghue, Maire Murphy, portunities for participants to use and develop not just for one particular group – the piece is Pat Ferguson, Grace Murray and Kevin Griffin at the Deenagh Lodge Killarney run by Kerry Down Syndrome. their skills.” there for the whole town to enjoy.” Paul Griffin and Ben Courtney learning the art and trade of Stone Mason from Mike Long at Beaufort. Glenflesk GAA Club history Crowds flock to Tearooms at Deenagh Lodge DEENAGH Lodge is a popular tea room located over the years. “It’s a business first and that “They have to be willing to wait and have pa- “A certain calibre of participant is needed in Killarney National Park. Every year, crowds has to come first. The service has to be good.” tience because people with Down Syndrome for this type of work,” said Patricia. “Someone of tourists flock here to have lunch or light Currently, there are around forty young adults tend to do things more slowly than others,” who is willing and not afraid to interact with and archives project refreshments after hours spent enjoying the with Down Syndrome who work a few hours Patricia explained. “We also have someone people with special needs. “We provide them sights and sounds of the park. every week there. there who is particularly tasked with managing with awareness training and the people that This is the eighth year of its operation under They work in the kitchen, clear tables and do these young people and we at Down Syndrome we’ve had so far have been a very high calibre.” IT all began in 2011 when members of the which is a future dream of the Club. Users of the the management of Down Syndrome Ireland’s general tidy up. “They learn how to meet and Ireland monitor the situation.” Kevin Griffin, also a member of DSK, said Glenflesk GAA Club became aware that a Parish database are also able to search under various (DSI) Kerry Branch whose members saw a greet and interact with people. It helps grow Over the last number of years, Deenagh that the success of Deenagh Lodge has been Newsletter had existed from the 1970s until the different categories, which means that they can viable business opportunity and a chance for their confidence,” Patricia said. Lodge has received assistance from TUS partic- greatly supported by the SKDP. “We’re indebted 1990s and in them was contained a lot of infor- search for very specific information and have the those with special needs to gain valuable work At Deenagh Lodge the staff has been given ipants who help to run the tea room, but their in particular to Joe McCrohan and the super- mation about the Club. But they also contained results in an instant. experience. awareness training to help them to more fully work is more than just completing the general visors in the area who are very proactive and a fascintating insight into the history, culture “The project was definitely a collaboration “It’s a very busy place,” said Patricia Griffin, understand those with special needs, including tasks that this involves – they are also required very helpful,” Kevin said. “They fully appreciate and folklore of the parish that included poems, between the Club members and the scheme par- who has volunteered extensively with DSI how to effectively communicate with them. to lend a helping hand to their co-workers. the value of the project.” songs, sketches and news bulletins. ticipants,” Aine said. “We came in with different The members soon realised that they had a ideas about what the project should contain and valuable record of their area and duly created how to go about it, and the participants helped the The History and Archives Project. “When us to accomplish that. Everyone was learning the SKDP gave us their support, we were able from each other.” to expand the project out beyond the GAA and Having the RSS/TUS participants on board into the parish,” said Aine Ni Shuilleabhain, a was one of the most important factors in get- member of the Club. Based in Fossa Community ting the project up and running as they had the Hall, the scheme participants typed up the entire specific computer skills that were needed. It also content of the newsletters. provided an excellent training ground because But the work didn’t stop there. The discovery those who were on the scheme for a while shared of the newsletters generated a renewed interest their experience and skills with people who were in the history of the parish and the SKDP pro- new to the scheme. vided participants who had the skills to create “This was a great way to get to know people a database of all the information that had been and the participants created a wonderful record Cllr John Joe Culloty Mayor of Kilarney Municiple, Paul Neary Kerry County Council Killarney, Lisa gathered. They arranged it in such a way that of parish history,” Aine said. “It’s a fantastic Murphy and Joe McCrohan SKDP at the Stone Carving on Mission Road, Killarney. it now forms the basis for chapters in a book, piece of work.”