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“They are the best neighbours ever”

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BIRTHDAY WITH A DIFFERENCE: Helen McCarthy celebrated her 70th birthday in 'social distance' style with her family, friends and neighbours in Countess Grove, Killarney on Sunday. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

By Michelle Crean

Countess Grove resident Helen McCarthy is this week still elated by a birthday surprise organised by her neighbours.

The lockdown meant that she’d have no party or even a family meal to mark turning 70 – however, her neighbours had other ideas and instead surprised her on Sunday with a cake, balloon and even organised their other neighbour, photographer Eamonn Keogh, to take a photo 'social distance' style!

“They’re the best neighbours ever,” Helen told the Killarney Advertiser. “It was my COVID-19 birthday.”

She explained that the neighbours were cocooning for the last few months and every day at 12pm meet up for a natter.

“I’ve lived here for 47 years, since 1973. Philip Brady who is on the residents committee organised it and surprised me.”

Helen’s daughter Lisa, who works as a frontline nurse in the UK, had originally planned to come home for the May 3 birthday until the outbreak of the virus.

Instead she organised a Zoom call between family members, including Helen’s brother David and his family in Kilcummin, where Helen is originally from, her brother John and his family in Artigallivan, and her nephew Sean Fleming from Killarney who is now living in Australia. She also celebrated at home with her husband Dermot and sons Blaine, Andrew and Padraig.

“Friends sent cards and gifts. I thought I’d have no birthday over COVID-19 but it turned out to the best birthday ever.”

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Regatta Queen crowned at annual dance

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The annual Killarney Regatta Dance took place on September 25 as rowers, families and supporters came together to celebrate their successful year.

The racing was cancelled in September due to bad weather.

The Killarney Regatta is one of Ireland’s oldest rowing events, having first begun in 1788.

The dance took place at the Killarney Oaks Hotel where there was a lot of excitement and fun. Six rowing clubs, Fossa, Workman’s, St Brendan’s, Commercials, Flesk Valley, and Muckross, came together to celebrate the community and its shared history.

Amelia Counihan was crowned as the Regatta Queen.

The Queen represents the spirit pride and grace of the rowing community and has been a tradition in the club for generations.

Workman’s Rowing Club congratulated Amelia and described her as a woman who embodies everything that their tradition stands for.

The club said: “Queen is more than a title — it is a celebration of history, community, and the spirit of Killarney rowing.”

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Killarney Looking Good competition celebrates community pride

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The annual Killarney Looking Good competition took place at the Great Southern Hotel on Wednesday night where Kerry GAA captain Gavin White presented the awards to the deserving recipients.

Killarney Park Hotel came out on top with the overall prize being awarded to the newly refurbished five-star hotel.

The judges were impressed by the stylish new entrance and driveway and their spectacular display of flowers and window boxes. Killarney Park won the same award back in 1992.

The best large commercial premises award went to Killarney Racecourse, and the best small commercial premises was awarded to Sheahan’s Pharmacy.

Charlie Foley’s won the best public house; best restaurant was 40 Main and Walsh Bros Shoes was named best retail.

In the residential categories, the best private residence was Tomies View, Ross Road, best large estate went to Countess Grove, and best small estate was won by Coolgreane Park.

The winner of the 2025 Fr Michael Murphy Memorial Pride of Place Award was presented to the Killarney Asylum Seekers Initiative while the Yvonne Quill Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award winner went to Margaret Curtin.

The Killarney Looking Good competition is organised by Killarney Municipal District Council and Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce and sponsored by MD O’Shea’s & Sons and O’Mahony Media.

The competition aims to encourage residents and business owners to keep the town looking well through the use of flowers, hanging baskets, colour schemes.

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