News
Wheelchair users say more needs to be done for greater accessibility
[
[caption id="attachment_23984" align="aligncenter" width="1772"]
Wheelchair users Bridget O'Gorman, Aileen O'Sullivan and Bernard James with Séamus O'Sullivan, Mary O'Shea (Secretary of Killarney Access Group) and Breda Dwyer (Chairperson).[/caption]
Killarney’s wheelchair users say more needs to be done to make the town more accessible - as obstructions on footpaths, the lack of suitable taxis, and the abuse of disabled parking spaces - were cited as their primary concerns.
Adam Moynihan
Although they welcomed the launch of a new strategy aimed at making Killarney a leading accessible tourism destination - they say a lot of work still needs to be done.
Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser, two wheelchair users who have both resided in Kerry Cheshire Home on St Margaret’s Road for over 20 years, acknowledged that progress has been made but insisted that the situation in Killarney is far from ideal.
“I’m not knocking Killarney or the services here, we’re getting better,” Aileen O’Sullivan, who has been in Killarney for 23 years, said. “But we’ve a very long way to go yet.
“I know we live in a tourist town but certain businesses have sandwich boards and furniture taking up half the path. I think certain people take liberties. I see it everywhere. I’m not saying that people aren’t entitled to do it, they are, but they should think of wheelchair users, mothers with buggies and the elderly.”
Bernard James said that it is a widespread problem throughout the town.
“You would go down every street but you wouldn’t want to be in a hurry,” he said. “If you had to be somewhere at 3.30pm, you’d have to give yourself plenty of time.”
When out and about, Aileen often has to take alternative routes to ensure her safety and the safety of pedestrians.
“I’m kind of a free spirit so I go out a lot - but coming up Rock Road you’re taking your life into your hands,” she said.
“The footpaths are sloped and if you meet a passer-by, they have to go out on the road. I normally go up by St Finan’s and through the hole in the wall down by Fitzgerald Stadium for the simple reason that the footpaths are more accessible.”
Both Bernard and Aileen agree that more wheelchair taxis are needed - but the biggest problem, according to Aileen, is the abuse of disabled parking spaces in the town, many taken up by large commercial bins.
The misuse of parking permits is also common place and this is a particular bone of contention for wheelchair users, they say.
“We have a very good ticket inspector now,” Aileen said. “She doesn’t take any crap. But more needs to be done.”
Killarney is hoping to position itself as the leading accessible tourism destination in Ireland but Bernard expressed concerns that certain establishments are merely ticking boxes.
“Nine out of ten hotels say that they’re wheelchair accessible and they are wheelchair accessible – up to a point,” he said.
“It depends on the size of the wheelchair. There are quite a few places in town that I can’t go into with this wheelchair. I’d be shifting the whole place to get from A to B, and I know damn well that I’d be entitled to do it, but by the time you’d get there it’d be time to go back the other way again.
“It’s the same with wheelchair bathrooms. They are, by law, doing it right and they’re covering themselves, but they’re not catering to all sizes of wheelchairs.”
Praising the work of the Killarney Access Group and the IWA, Aileen was optimistic that one day Killarney would be truly accessible for all its citizens.
“It’s a case of three steps forward and two steps back. But we’ll get there eventually.”
Members of the extended O’Connor family, neighbours, and friends gathered at the ancestral homestead of Fr Sean O’Connor O.S.A. at Doonasleen, Knocknagree, to celebrate his 100th birthday. Fr Sean travelled from the Augustinian Community at Abbeyside, Dungarvan, County Waterford, where he currently lives, to mark the milestone at his childhood home.
Fr Sean was born on 9 June 1926 alongside his twin sister, Peg. He grew up on a farm with his parents and six siblings, all of whom are now deceased. He was baptised in Kiskeam but his family regularly travelled to Sunday Mass in Knocknagree.
He attended the old two-story school in Knocknagree, where he was taught by Miss Dennehy, an educator he later honoured in a poem titled “My first Teacher”. He recalls encountering the blind fiddler Tom Billy Murphy on his school journeys, which helped foster a lifelong love of music inherited from his mother, Maggie Jones, who played the concertina.
Known as Jackie during his youth, he took the name John O’Connor when he moved to New Ross for his secondary education with the Augustinian Order in 1939. He made his simple profession on 24 September 1946 and was ordained a priest in Rome on 13 July 1952.
Shortly after his ordination, Fr Sean’s health failed when he contracted tuberculosis. He spent two years at St Mary’s Hospital in Phoenix Park, Dublin, which included nine months of complete bed rest and two chest operations. The surgeries resulted in the loss of seven ribs and the permanent collapse of most of his right lung. Due to his health, his lifelong ambition to join the foreign missions could not be realised.
Following his recovery, Fr Sean served in various religious appointments across Ireland and England, including Callan, Fethard, Dungarvan, Carlisle, Drogheda, Galway, and Ballyhaunis, before returning to Abbeyside. At his 98th birthday celebration in 2024, it was noted that he was the oldest serving Roman Catholic priest in Ireland and the UK.
For his centenary celebration, Fr Sean wore his priestly vestments to celebrate Holy Mass at an altar prepared in the sitting room at Doonasleen. A framed apostolic blessing from Pope Leo XIV, a fellow Augustinian priest, was displayed on a nearby table.
Due to poor weather and the large crowd, the gathering moved to the new Knocknagree Community Centre for a reception. A special photograph was taken on the day featuring Fr Sean alongside his six surviving first cousins.
As a dedicated Gaelic football follower, Fr Sean was presented with a custom Knocknagree GAA jersey featuring the number 100. He later wore the jersey at the local football grounds for photographs, on a day when Knocknagree secured a league win against Kilnamartyra.
The day concluded with a visit from the Bishop of Kerry, Ray Browne, who travelled to the ancestral home to congratulate Fr Sean. Fr Sean noted that it was a historic occasion, marking the first time a bishop had ever visited the townlands of Doon or Tureen.
Sliabh Luachra priest celebrates 100th birthday at ancestral home
Members of the extended O’Connor family, neighbours, and friends gathered at the ancestral homestead of Fr Sean O’Connor O.S.A. at...
Gardaí appeal for witnesses following fatal collision in Barraduff
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a tragic single-vehicle road traffic collision that occurred on the N72 near Calfmount, Barraduff,...
Local photographer shortlisted in national astrophotography competition
Local photographer shortlisted in national astrophotography competition Killarney-based photographer Goran Loncar has been shortlisted in the 2026 Reach for the...
New committee elected at Killarney Active Retirement AGM
Killarney Active Retirement Association (ARA) had a large turnout for its annual general meeting, which marked a significant changing of...
Book launch: Sister completes late brother’s Shipping Forecast sea kayak challenge
Book launch: Sister completes late brother’s Shipping Forecast sea kayak challenge A unique book promotional event will take place in...
Fossa Swimmers make a splash at County Finals
The Fossa Swim team pictured at the Tralee Sports Complex following their successful outing at the County Finals of the...
On the Ball Part 2 of the Mikey Daly Interview
Éamonn Fitzgerald EF: Killarney Celtic are invited to participate in an Irish competition. That has big financial implications for travel,...
LUKE MANGAN recently caught up with Kerry FC’s manager, Colin Healy.
He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager. Here’s how it went: When you began your...
Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic
Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1) Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell Saturday 7.30pm Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre...
Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan
After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork...
