News
Rena does it again with wonderful Cathedral crib
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EXCLUSIVE
By Sean Moriarty
It is one of the most loved Christmas favourites in Killarney for the past 46 years - St Mary’s Cathedral Christmas Crib – and once again it hasn’t disappointed.
A team of hard working volunteers come together every year to make it happen with the incredible, almost life-like display, admired by locals and visitors from across the country.
The artist behind the nativity scene in the cathedral, Rena Kennelly, has been creating magic for 46 years and hopes “health and god willing” she will make the half century in 2024.
The religious display wows every Christmas, but like everything else in life, Rena and other people behind the construction of the crib are finding it harder to deliver it each year without breaking some new rule or other.
This year the crib’s floor will be mostly made from wood mulch instead of the traditional moss. In years gone by Rena and her supporters would gather moss in the National Park to use as floor material in the crib.
However, since the discovery of rare spiders in the park, as reported in the Killarney Advertiser last month, certain areas of the park are now out of bounds for the moss gatherers.
“Since the creepy-crawlies are protected species we are not allowed take moss from anywhere near Muckross, the boatmen collect it from way further up the lakes now,” Rena told the Killarney Advertiser.
The boatmen are just a number of people she refers to as “her team” – people from all walks of Killarney life that work together to deliver one of most loved Christmas favourites in Killarney.
People like local builder Martin Walsh and local character Andrew Joy, better known for playing Santa Claus in the recent Christmas In Killarney events, are a great source of help to Rena.
“The lads do all the hard work now and I just turn up and tell them where to put things,” she explained. “Fr Gearoid told me this year that I would have to go for the 50 now. It was great fun in the beginning and I have a great team now.”
Green light for Torc Dinis walkway
Planning approval has been granted for a long-awaited lakeside walkway and cycleway connecting Torc and Dinis inside Killarney National Park.
An Coimisiún Pleanála confirmed permission for the elevated platform project, which will complete the popular scenic loop while removing a dangerous 800-metre section along the busy N71 Killarney to Kenmare road.
Walkers and cyclists currently have to navigate narrow bends alongside heavy vehicular traffic and tour buses to complete the circuit between the Dinis and Torc car parks.
Mayor of Killarney John O’Donoghue welcomed the decision, calling it a transformative development for the region: “Since beginning in the Council in 2021, this has been one of my priorities as an issue I inherited from my predecessor Michael Gleeson, he being the first person to initially pursue the idea. I have repeatedly kept it on the agenda at Council meetings and now delighted to see we finally have positive news as this decision, which has been long overdue and eagerly awaited, will prove transformative for the area.”
Mayor O’Donoghue added: “The path, which will be on the lakeside, will offer views to rival those anywhere in the world and I have no doubt will prove very popular with locals and visitors alike. Huge credit is due to Kerry County Council and the NPWS for their co-operation on the issue. Once the decision has passed through its statutory waiting period, the design and tender stage can begin.”
The project, which will be built on a raised platform to protect the natural habitat beneath, will also be fully accessible for people with mobility issues. Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce also welcomed the green light, noting that the completed loop will create a major safe attraction showcasing Muckross Lake, Dinis Cottage, and the Old Weir Bridge.
LAKESIDE PATH: An Coimisiún Pleanála has approved planning permission for a new raised walkway and cycleway connecting Torc and Dinis in Killarney National Park.
LOCAL GOLD: Terrie O’Shea, founder and owner of Killarney-based business Sorella Berries, celebrating her Gold award win at the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards held in Dingle last week. Her hand-crafted chocolate covered strawberries secured the top spot in national competition, earning recognition for the local food producer on the national stage.
Green light for Torc to Dinis walkway
Green light for Torc Dinis walkway Planning approval has been granted for a long-awaited lakeside walkway and cycleway connecting Torc...
LOCAL GOLD:
LOCAL GOLD: Terrie O’Shea, founder and owner of Killarney-based business Sorella Berries, celebrating her Gold award win at the Blas...
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