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After 42 years Bridget is still donating!

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BLOOD DONOR: Bridget McGuire from Killarney, who has been donating blood for 42 years is encouraging people to make a difference. Photo: Francis Foley

 

By Francis Foley

For 42 years giving has been a huge part of one woman’s life as Killarney woman Bridget McGuire has to date donated 50 pints of blood.

It takes just half an hour to donate one pint – but for Bridget from Dennehy's Bohereen, it’s so much more as giving blood is so satisfying and worthwhile.

Bridget started giving blood in 1978, and plans to continue giving blood for as long as she can.

Bridget’s reasons for donating blood are quite straight forward and simple, as she explained to the Killarney Advertiser this week.

“The shortage of blood in the national blood banks is huge, so the more people that can give the better the situation will become.”

She added that the satisfaction you can get from helping others is a good feeling.

“The thought that one day your own family or friends may need a transfusion is an added reason to make it worth doing.”

In Killarney there are about three donation sessions a year, each lasting for approximately a week in certain venues in the town.

The next sessions in Killarney will be during the summer and the actual time, dates and venue will be advertised locally in advance. You can either register with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service before you go or just turn up on the day.

Donors are given a questionnaire at the beginning to see if they are suitable to donate, as some people may be rejected due to ill health or an on-going blood condition. These questions vary from your age to if you have had a tattoo or piercing in the last four months. There is also a simple blood test for suitability administered by staff at the venue on the day.

“It is completely painless and you don’t feel a thing while you’re being prepared for the donation or during it. This is helped by the excellent staff that attend to you by putting you at ease, and by the tea, coffee and biscuits you receive afterwards,” Bridget said.

Once donated all the blood is tested again for diseases, making sure it is completely safe before distributing it to hospitals around the country.

Donating blood is quick, easy and very rewarding for the donor.

“You’ll never know when you might need someone else’s blood yourself one day.”

 

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New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

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A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.

Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.

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