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A relaxing retirement ahead for Ireneus Looney

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IN CONVERSATION

This week Killarney Advertiser's Michelle Crean spoke to Ireneus Looney who has retired after 20 years' service with An Post.

Working throughout the COVID period was probably one of the busiest of his career but Ireneus Looney now plans to relax following his recent retirement from An Post.

Ireneus from Laharn, Killorglin worked with An Post since 1999 covering the Killorglin area. And on June 26, when he turned 66, he said goodbye to his colleagues and bosses in both Killorglin and at the Tiernaboul sorting office in Killarney.

This week, he said he's looking forward to putting his feet up over the coming weeks but will miss everyone he worked with and met on his daily rounds.

"I'm looking forward to it," he said. "We're only passing through so we might as well enjoy it. It was a great job, being out in the fresh air meeting people every day. When COVID started we were like frontline workers especially delivering the An Post postcards. It was like Christmas watching children and the elderly receive messages from loved ones especially during the first month when the old people were really locked down."

Ireneus paid tribute to his co-workers and his bosses over the years who treated him very well.

"Liam Hartnett, my supervisor in Killorglin and Terry Potts and John Blackwell, my supervisors in the Killarney depot they were all very good to me over the years. I would also like to say thanks to An Post, it was great working for them for the last 20 years."

Now he plans to cycle a bit more, see his three children, Niall an engineer in Limerick, Edward who teaches in Loreto NS, and Róisín who teaches in Fossa NS and is getting married next year. There'll be more time to spend with his three grandchildren as well as his wife Geraldine who retired last year after 41 years as a staff nurse in St Mary of the Angels in Beaufort.

FAMILY

[caption id="attachment_32785" align="alignleft" width="1024"] FAMILY TIME: Ireneus is pictured here with his family and grandchildren. From l-r: his wife Geraldine, Edward Looney, Laura Cahillane, Sadbh Ní Luanaigh, Siún Ní Luanaigh, Clodagh Looney, Niall Looney, Ailín Looney, Róisín Looney and Paudie O'Sullivan. Photos: Michael G. Kenny.[/caption]

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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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