2025 Credit Union Art Competition

 

Killarney Credit Union is delighted to announce that entries are now open for the 2025 Credit Union Art Competition.

This year’s theme celebrates ‘THE FUTURE IS’

Killarney Credit Union is calling on local artists of all ages to take part in one of Ireland’s longest running and most inclusive art initiatives. The competition invites people from all walks of life to express themselves through creativity, with this year’s theme asking them to reflect on “The Future is…” This year’s theme encourages artists to look ahead with imagination, hope and curiosity.

Participants might explore personal dreams and milestones, a better world for the next generation, or how change and progress might shape our lives and communities.

Whether bold and futuristic or thoughtful and personal, the theme offers endless possibilities for creative interpretation. Now in its 42nd year, the Credit Union Art Competition continues to support and promote creativity at every stage of life. From early learners to lifelong artists, the competition celebrates the power of art to connect, inspire and bring communities together.

Killarney Credit Union believes in supporting not only financial wellbeing, but also personal growth and connection through community involvement. The art competition is part of that wider mission, encouraging children and adults alike to think, create and share their ideas with others.

 

The closing date to submit finished entries to Killarney Credit Union is Thursday 23rd of October 2025.

 

Please click here to download a copy of the entry form.  Please print entry forms as required.

 

Rules

Please pay particular attention to the rules in particular rules 3, 5, 7 & 8.

 

1.

The competition has two categories – General Category and Additional Needs Category with the following age groups in each category:

• 7 years and under
• 8 – 10 years inclusive
• 11 – 13 years inclusive
• 14 – 17 years inclusive
• Adult – 18 years and over

Ages as at 31st December 2025. Proof of month and year of birth may be requested by the credit union. There is a separate section for group entries in the Additional Needs Category only.

 

2.

Entries to the Additional Needs Category are invited from children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. Entrants in this category are not required to use the theme.

3.

The text of the theme does not have to be illustrated on your artwork. We are looking for your interpretation of the theme through your art.

4.

All group entries will be judged together – no age categories apply. Please tick the group entry box under the Additional Needs category if you wish to be considered for group entry.

5.

Name, address, month and year of birth and other details (where applicable) must be clearly printed on the entry form and then attached to the back of the entry. Any entries bearing incomplete entry forms may not be considered.

 

6.

All entry forms and artworks must be certified by teacher/facilitator/parent/guardian (under 18, General Category and Additional Needs Category), or by the entrant (over 18) as being an unaided and original work of the entrant.

 

7.

All entries must be submitted in either A3 (420mm wide x 297mm high) or A2 (594mm wide x 420mm high) and landscape orientation. Other sizes and portrait oriented entries will be disqualified from adjudication.

 

8.

The entry can be drawn or painted in pencil, charcoal, pen or ink, felt-tip markers, crayon, pastel, water colours, gouache, acrylics, oils, poster colour or collage. Prints done from a lino block, wood block or any other method may also be submitted. No computer aided design (CAD) may be entered. No pieces of art under glass, as we cannot be responsible for same.

 

9.

The competition is organised into three stages with the winner in each category being forwarded to the next stage, these being:

• Stage1 Credit Union Level
• Stage 2 Chapter (Regional) Level
• Stage 3 National Level

Entries must be submitted to your local participating credit union only– no entries will be accepted directly at regional or national level.

 

10.

It should be noted that once artwork is received by us they become our property and may be reproduced at our discretion and may only be returned at our discretion. All entries are accepted as original works and we are not responsible for any breach of copyright. We will not accept liability for loss or damage to any work submitted.

 

11.

Entrants may enter the competition only once in any given year.

 

12.

We reserve the right not to award prizes in any category. The decision of the adjudicators is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

 

 

 

Introducing SEPA Instant Sending Payments

We are introducing a new service to allow you to send instant payments from your credit union account.  This service will be introduced from September 2025 and means payments you send will typically be received within 10 seconds.  We are updating the framework contract that applies to your account in line with Regulation 76 of the Payment Services Regulations. This communication gives you 60 days’ notice of this change.

 

What’s Changing?

You already receive instant payments. From September 2025, you’ll also be able to send them.

 

What Do You Need to Do?

You do not need to take any action if you are happy to accept these changes. If you do not contact us to object before the changes take effect, you will be deemed to have accepted them.

If you do not agree with the changes, you have the right to terminate your framework contract free of charge at any time before the proposed changes come into effect.

 

Further Information

You can review the updated SEPA Payments Information and Regulation 76 Information (Framework Contract) by clicking on the download links at the bottom of this page or by emailing us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

Thank you for being a valued member of Killarney Credit Union.

 

Mark Murphy

Chief Executive Officer

 

Click to view/download the SEPA Payments Document

 

Click to view/download the Framework Contract

Social Impact Report 2024

Killarney Credit Union is proud to announce the launch of the 2024 Social Impact Report, showcasing our commitment to making a meaningful difference in the communities they serve.

Social Impact in Credit Unions refers to the positive effects and contributions that Credit Unions make to their members and community. Credit Unions pride themselves on being different and need to highlight and promote what it is, that makes them different. Credit Unions are a member-owned and not-for-profit organisation. They are uniquely positioned to improve their social impact by prioritising the well-being of their members and the communities they serve.

Killarney Credit Unions Social Impact report is available to read online here or alternatively available to download in PDF format at the bottom of this page.

 

Download the Social Impact Report as a PDF

Winter Newsletter 2024

Chairpersons Address
Welcome to Newsletter Winter 2024

 

A Chairde

I hope this message finds you and your families well. As we approach the end of 2024, I would like to take a moment to reflect on a great year for Killarney Credit Union and the milestones we have achieved together. As this is our first in person AGM since 2019, we are very much looking forward to welcoming our members in person.

This year we lent €26.7 million to our members in the local communities of South and East Kerry, which has grown our loan book to €57.1 Million. We are extremely proud of this achievement. Lending is our main source of income and plays a crucial role in maintaining our financial strength and ensuring our sustainability. By offering competitive loans to you our members we not only help you achieve your goals but also generate income that enables us to reinvest in our services and the community. Going forward we ask all our members for your continued support in availing of the excellent products we have available when you may next need to borrow. Don’t forget most of these loans also attract full life assurance cover.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are becoming increasingly important across the financial sector, especially for credit unions, as it aligns closely with our values of community support, financial inclusion, and sustainable practices. To underpin these principles we ran a Green Home Initiatives Roadshow, in late Spring, showcasing leading companies providing services such as Solar Panels, Home Heating Solutions, Insulation, Windows & Doors and Thermo Homes. In order to support the green economy and encourage everyone to strive for more energy efficient enhancements, we are offering low interest rates on home renovations, retrofitting and transport initiatives. For information on Green Finance Initiatives or to see the list of Green service providers we have collaborated with go to www. killarneycu.ie/gogreen.

We are working to reduce our carbon footprint in all branches by embracing energy efficiency. We are also encouraging digital transactions via our Mobile App and Current Account and providing members with options for paperless statements therefore reducing paper usage and postage costs. We now also have a full end to end loan docu sign service again reducing paper. From a social aspect we have given talks to community groups helping them with financial education and financial literacy. Education is one of our guiding principles. To this end we worked on a fraud awareness campaign in partnership with the Credit Unions of Kerry & West Limerick and An Garda Síochána to highlight the dangers of acting as a money mule. This program was delivered to four secondary schools in our common bond.

Our involvement with the Killarney Coffee Cup Project continues and this year focused on education. We were part of an initiative bringing local 5th class students to the National Park to be educated on our Biosphere, and were involved in a replanting project of acorns back into the Killarney National Park. Each school planted and nurtured acorns resulting in saplings being gifted back to the National park in June for replanting. We also showcased art projects designed by local secondary school students made from coffee cups.

Other events during the year included a Member Appreciation week which resulted in many new current accounts being opened and new members joining across all three branches. We launched our first ever Social Impact Report in April at a community event in our Killarney branch where the majority of sponsorship recipients from the previous year attended.

Minister Neale Richmond, Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance visited Kerry in July to hold a round table meeting with the Credit Unions of Kerry & West Limerick. The visit, which was proudly hosted by Killarney Credit Union, underscored the government’s commitment to strengthening community-based financial institutions and recognised the critical role credit unions play in fostering economic growth and financial inclusion.

For the 10th consecutive year Credit Unions in Ireland won the Cxi award for Customer Service. Our position at the top remains unchanged because our approach to members remains unchanged - Members are always put first. Credit Unions were also voted Ireland’s MOST SUSTAINABLE ORGANISATION in The RepTrak Sustainable Index 2024 study, carried out by The Reputations Agency.

The photo collage on your AGM invitation displays our fantastic donations of over €50,000 to various local clubs, organisations, community initiatives and schools throughout the year. We take our social responsibilities seriously and we very much value the support we receive in return.

As we look toward the future, we are excited about the opportunities ahead. Our focus remains on delivering excellent member service, expanding financial products tailored to your needs, and continuing to support the economic and social well-being of our members and community.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire Killarney Credit Union team, I want to extend my sincere gratitude for your continued trust and support. Your membership is what drives us to innovate, improve, and grow. We are proud to be your financial partner, and we look forward to serving you in the years to come.

Wishing you a peaceful and Happy Christmas and we look forward to continued service through 2025.

Go raibh maith agaibh go léir

 

Joy Clifford-Vaughan

Chairperson Killarney Credit Union

 

 

Click  here to download a copy of our Winter Newsletter 2024 as a PDF.