Castleisland Welcomes Norma Foley’s Promotion to Minister for Education

In the thick of it: Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O’Donoghue TD outlines the facts on the Castleisland Bypass to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern with Cllr. Norma Foley, Murty McEllistrim and Castleisland and District Development Association member, Tomo Burke at the River Island Hotel in 2007. ©Photograph: John Reidy 1-3-2007

The new Minister for Education, Norma Foley, TD attending an open-air mass at St. Stephen’s Park in Castleisland as Cllr. Foley in 2006 with: Tim Downey, Mary Lyons. Back from left: Noel Cronin, Jim Lyons and her father, Denis Foley. ©Photograph: John Reidy 28-6-2006

Cllr. Norma Foley speaking to party workers at the 1997 General Election Count for North Kerry. ©Photograph: John Reidy 7-6-1997

Posing in their finery before the fashion show at Ó Riada’s Bar and Restaurant in Ballymacelligott in April 2019 were: Sharon Shannon, Mary Jones, Cllr. Norma Foley, Mayor of Kerry; Jean Foley and Eleanor Shanley. ©Photograph: John Reidy 5-4-2019

It is with great delight that the Castleisland area welcomes the news that Norma Foley TD has been made Minister for Education in the government announced last weekend.

By: Cllr. Fionnán Fitzgerald

The name Foley and Castleisland are synonymous with each other. Norma’s late father, Denis Foley represented the area as a county councillor and later as a TD with distinction.

Boxes from Castleisland

This connection was borne out on counting day last February when the various boxes from the schools in Castleisland and surrounds were opened.

Since her recent election. Norma Foley has served with great distinction and caught the eye pf many as an able advocate and speaker on many issues.

Years Of Teaching Experience

Norma has many years of teaching experience behind her and this, coupled with her vast experience as a county councillor will hold her in good stead as Minister for Education.

It is rare that Kerry has a representative at cabinet level on a daily basis and we are all rightly proud of Norma’s success and promotion.

Don’t Forget Us

This country has huge challenges before it. As we struggle to move on from the Corona Virus Pandemic we will need all the skill and tenacity that our new Minister for Education possesses.

We wish her the very best in her new role and ask her not to forget Castleisland and its surrounding hinterland.