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The Healy-Raes have thrown their considerable political weight behind Killarney Advertiser’s ongoing McShain Campaign with Maura, Danny and Michael all coming together at Killarney House this week to show their collective support.

Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser yesterday, Maura agreed that John and Mary McShain should be honoured for their contributions to the town. She also confirmed that she intends to raise the issue at the next Killarney Municipal District meeting in September.

“I’ll be asking Kerry County Council to liaise with the relevant agencies with the intention of honouring the McShains in a meaningful way given their most generous contribution to Killarney and, indeed, Kerry,” she said. “I will be seeking the support of other members.”

Our campaign to recognise the philanthropic American couple, who came to own a large part of Killarney National Park before giving it back to the State for virtually nothing, has gained considerable momentum since the idea was first floated by Kilalrney Advertiser's resident historian Damien Switzer earlier this summer. The reaction locally has been overwhelmingly positive with many Killarney people left scratching their heads as to why the former owners of Killarney House haven’t been honoured in the years since their death. John died in 1989 and Mary died nine years later in 1998.

When asked if they would prefer to see busts/statues erected or Killarney House & Gardens renamed ‘McShain Memorial Park’, 81% of our readers voted in favour of the latter. This may prove difficult, however, with General Manager of Killarney House & Gardens Pat Dawson saying that such a move is “unlikely to be a runner”.

For her part, Cllr Healy-Rae said she was “surprised” that people wanted to change the name but added that she would be supportive of renaming the park if it was the best option.

“There are many ways they could be honoured,” she said. “A monument, a bust, possibly renaming Killarney House & Gardens… I think it’s important to suggest all options and then hopefully come to the most realistic, appropriate and satisfactory one.”

She added that she is optimistic of making this a reality. “I don’t think anyone could be opposed to this justifiably. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!”

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, meanwhile, stated he would be in favour of erecting monuments to the McShains inside the Golden Gates. “This would be a proper and rightful testament to their memory and thank them for the massive contribution that they gave to Killarney town,” he said.

Many other prominent officials have also expressed their support for our campaign, including Mayor John Sheahan, Cllr Michael Gleeson, and President of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, Paul O’Neill.

The Minister for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD, also reached out to me this week to confirm that he will speak to officials in the Department of Tourism about the matter.