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Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections

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Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.

Máirín Hughes met President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina at Áras an Uachtaráin this week

Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.

The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.

Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.

Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.

She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.

“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”

In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.

In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.

last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History - Irish Life and Lore’.

During the broadcast she talked about her parents' membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.

This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.

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Killarney Cardiac Response Unit to host CPR Training

Killarney Cardiac Response Unit is hosting a public Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training event in the Gleneagle Hotel on Thursday, March 20. The event will take place in the Gleneagle Ballroom […]

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Killarney Cardiac Response Unit is hosting a public Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training event in the Gleneagle Hotel on Thursday, March 20.

The event will take place in the Gleneagle Ballroom from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.

“You can register online for our Hands for Life training course or just drop in where you can learn the simple steps to save a life,” said Kevin O’Leary.
The CPR training is free to attend.

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Expert to guide parents on navigating the Digital Age

Renowned family psychologist Dr Richard Hogan will address the challenges of parenting in the digital age at a talk in Killarney. Organised by the Gaelscoil Faithleann Parents Council, the event […]

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Renowned family psychologist Dr Richard Hogan will address the challenges of parenting in the digital age at a talk in Killarney.

Organised by the Gaelscoil Faithleann Parents Council, the event will take place at the Killarney Plaza Hotel on Thursday, March 20 at 7pm.
Dr Hogan will offer practical advice and insights on managing screen time, promoting healthy digital habits, and fostering strong communication with tech-savvy children. The talk is open to all parents of primary and secondary school children.
Dr Hogan said: “I am really looking forward to meeting everyone in Killarney and I will discuss how to develop a harmonious home with that tech savvy child. It’s the issue facing all parents and everything I look at is based on my own experience as a parent, and from my work in schools over 25 years. This event in Killarney will be very open and we can interact with each other and people can ask me any questions they wish.”
Mary Carroll, Chairperson of the Gaelscoil Faithleann Parents Council, said: “We were looking for a guest speaker who would really inform parents on the issues affecting them today and we are delighted that we could organise Dr Richard Hogan to come to Killarney. His work in the media is followed by many, and his advice is practical and relevant for parents today. He will provide practical tips for addressing the challenges of social media, gaming, and technology use in everyday family life.”
This event is open to all parents in all schools, and we welcome everyone to attend. Places are limited so make sure to book in advance on bit.ly/richardhogan to secure a seat.”
Mary Carroll added:, “The number one issue for all parents at the moment, is how to manage screentime in this new digital age, and this is an opportunity to hear from an expert and ask any questions that you have. We will provide the facility to ask questions anonymously by having a question box, which Dr Hogan will go through and answer during his presentation.”
Tickets are €10 and can be booked at bit.ly/richardhogan or paid for in cash at the door.

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