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EMPOWERING THE FUTURE - MEP Billy Kelleher Connects with Duhallow Students
Transition year students in Scoil Mhuire and Coláiste Treasa Kanturk gave a warm welcome to Mr. Billy Kelleher MEP for Ireland South on his recent visit to the Duhallow area. Students in both schools had previously participated in educational EU related workshops, delivered and designed, by guest speaker Dr. Brendan O’Keeffe. As part of these events, participating students had developed their knowledge of the history of the European Union and its impacts on Ireland throughout over fifty years of Irish membership. In conjunction with these workshops IRD Duhallow organised MEP visits to local post-primary schools. While visiting Kanturk, Mr. Kelleher was greatly impressed by local student’s interest in pressing EU issues and by the wide range of questions posed by groups in Scoil Mhuire and Coláiste Treasa. Wonderful engagement was shown in both schools, with Mr. Kelleher encouraging all present to become active citizens, outlining how this where positive change can often start.
Mr. Kelleher firstly visited Scoil Mhuire in Kanturk, where he met with Transition Year Students. As part of his presentation Mr. Kelleher gave the students a detailed outline of the structures of the European Parliament and the parliamentary formations that exist. He also spoke to the students in relation to the committee work attached to his role. Students were very interested in hearing about changes in current global power balances, and the challenges facing modern Europe. Mr Kelleher explained how Europe recovered in the past from two world wars in the 20th century, to enjoying many years of relative peace and prosperity. In Coláiste Treasa, students Mr. Kelleher also spoke to students in relation to the changes and challenges facing the European Union, along with discussing agriculture, trade and politics. He also reminded students to be civic minded and to keep an eye on developments impacting their own localities. In each of the schools, students demonstrated their interest in current affairs and European issues through their attentive listening and dialogue.
Sinceire thanks to Scoil Mhuire Principal Mr Denis Keating and Coláiste Treasa Principal Veronica Walsh for their interest and support of the Communicating Europe Initiative. A very special thanks to Mr Gerald Crotty, Scoil Mhuire, and Ms Anne Marie Griffin for their coordination of the school events.
As part of his visit to the Duhallow region, Mr. Kelleher also toured the James O’Keeffe Memorial Institute complex, Duhallow Community Food Services, Duhallow Furniture Revamp and the offices of IRD Duhallow. Mr. Kelleher also met with the CEO of IRD Duhallow along with the management team and staff. At this meeting he was provided with details of the diverse projects, services and programmes that are in operation in the region. While on site Mr. Kelleher expressed his admiration for the initiatives underway, and in a subsequent social media post spoke of the “great work” being accomplished.
