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Killarney biker provides rapid response for those in need

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DELIVERY: Fiona O'Carroll dropping off Denis Tagney's weekly shopping. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

By Sean Moriarty

A Killarney motorcycle enthusiast is providing vital support to vulnerable people in her community by delivering meals and medicines.

Fiona Carroll from Mill Road has been riding a motorcycle for 10 years after the annual Killarney BikeFest on her doorstep sparked a new interest in the hobby she chose to mark her 40th birthday.

“I lost my husband to cancer over 10 years ago, he was diagnosed on his 40th birthday so I wanted to do something special on mine. I went to the festival, asked could I go for a passenger ride on one of the bikes and that is where it all started."

Fiona’s son Daniel is a member of Killarney Legion GAA Club and the famous town team is a member of the Kerry County Council supported Kerry Public Participation Network (KPPN), an umbrella group for sporting and volunteer organisations in the county.

When the Council set up its COVID-19 Community Response Forum, every club with the PPN was automatically included.

“My son plays football with the club, I am not even a member, but the club is very good at pulling in people when they need people to help. They know I did other charity work on the bike and that is how I got called in,” she told the Killarney Advertiser.

Fiona is a regular participant in the annual Christmas Charity Motorbike toy run which is organised by motorcycle clubs in Killarney and Tralee.

The Mill Road woman uses her Harley Davidson Road King to collect shopping and medicine for local people who are currently cocooning.

“All of the people I am helping are within my own 2km,” she added. “Legion got this off the ground very quickly and I now have regulars who call me direct and I can respond to their needs."

A typical day for Fiona would involve fielding phone calls from her regulars and working out what needs to done or what needs to be collected in town.

“One lady out in Muckross rang me to collect shopping and a prescription but I was able to get all that done in the one run,” she added. “I know what it's like, my own parents are cocooning in Wexford and I just want to help people when I can. “

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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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