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Little Alexis gets surprise Garda visit

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MINI GARDA: Alexis O'Mahony from Woodlawn lit up when she received a visit from local Gardai and will later this year become an honorary member of the Force.

By Michelle Crean

A four-year-old little girl will be the first Killarney child to graduate as an honorary Garda after receiving a surprise house visit by the local members of the Force on Friday last.

Alexis O'Mahony from Woodlawn lit up with excitement when local Gardai paid a house call as part of their Little Blue Heroes (LBH) charity work which helps children who are ill or have special needs.

Garda Gillian Mac Eoin, Sharon Maybury, Michelle Reddy, Emmet Flanagan, John Crowley and Mark Foley called by in a Paddy Wagon and two patrol cars and handed her a Garda jacket and hat to wear.

Alexis, daughter of Steve and Teresa, suffers from Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Deficiency (PDHD) a condition that affects her ability to breakdown food to fuel the body which results in side effects that include Cerebral Palsy and epilepsy.

Her dad Steve told the Killarney Advertiser that she really enjoyed it - as did the neighbours once they knew why their estate was surrounded by Gardai.

"She was smiling right throughout when we were outside with them. She seemed to enjoy all the stimulation as she's been inside for the last few months."

Over the last few months Alexis received a number of gifts from the Gardai including an Easter egg, Gardai beanie hat, and a Tesco voucher was kindly given to her parents.

She'll later be given a specially made Garda uniform which is currently being made, her liaison officer Garda Gillian Mac Eoin told the Killarney Advertiser.

"We put on an extra small Garda jacket on her on Friday and her face just lit up as soon as did it. We're getting her little uniform made."

Gillian explained Little Blue Heroes is a lovely way to help distract children who are sick or may be going through difficult times.

"It something different for the kids to distract them. They go through enough. It's great to give them some extra special attention.

LBH are brilliant. They send toys and financial assistance to families and if the family needs anything like a Garda escort in an emergency they know we're there and who to contact."

And later this year Alexis will become a mini Garda graduate, she added.

"We don't know when yet due to COVID but it'll be in the next few months all going well."

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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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