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Killarney extends VIP welcome to COVID carer
A KILLARNEY WELCOME: Lisa Connolly, pictured with her mom Tina and sisters Ciara and Jessica, enjoyed a VIP experience in Killarney all for free last weekend thanks to the generosity of locals.
By Michelle Crean
It is a holiday they’ll never forget with VIP treatment last weekend as Killarney locals generously extended their kindness to a compassionate COVID carer who featured on RTÉ.
In June, during the height of the health crisis, hearts across the country broke as viewers of RTÉ ONE’s ‘Inside Ireland’s COVID Battle’ watched kind-hearted Dublin lady Lisa Connolly care for a 97-year-old patient named Patrick, as he lost his battle with COVID-19.
With no family close by to care for him, his support worker Lisa regularly visited him in St James’ Hospital. And after he passed away, she even went into the hospital room to hold his hand as she sang ‘The Irish Lullaby’ to him and bent down and kissed him on the forehead through her mask despite the risks to her own life.
Moved by Lisa’s selflessness, local guesthouse owner Ciara Roche who runs Killaran House on Park Road reached out to her and offered Lisa and family a three night stay for free as a thank you for being so kind.
On Friday last, Lisa, her mom Tina and sisters Ciara and Jessica were thrilled when they arrived in Killarney and were treated like VIPs.
What’s more is that many local businesses also offered their services for free including Danny O’Sullivan from Killarney Hackney Cabs who made himself available as their personal chauffeur and said he “was glad to help”.
On Friday, the ladies had their hair and shellac nails done by Elegant Styles followed by dinner at Killeen House Hotel and Rozzers Restaurant.
[caption id="attachment_33466" align="alignleft" width="226"]
Lisa Connolly on RTÉ ONE’s ‘Inside Ireland’s COVID Battle’.[/caption]
The next day it was a facial for Lisa at What Women Want and fun for the family at Escape Killarney which they said was “absolutely brilliant”, and lunch in the Eviston House Hotel. On Sunday they enjoyed a carvery lunch and then a trip to Ross Castle with Jarvey John Kearney. Lisa also received a voucher for Who’s 4 Shoes while Ciara’s aunt in Dublin, Deirdre Quinn, gave a cash gift and Pauline O’Connor from Cill Ide B&B dropped in a Penney’s voucher. Lisa also received a gift of a printed image of Killarney by local photographer Peter O’Toole which was framed by the Killarney Printer.
“I was so delighted to finally welcome Lisa, her sisters Ciara and Jessica and her mum Tina to Killaran House for their three night staycation,” Ciara told the Killarney Advertiser.
“They are a fab bunch of girls. At first it was kind of emotional. A lovely gentleman called in as soon as the girls arrived and they hugged. He gave her an envelope and he cried. It was heart wrenching - she really did touch people.”
Ciara said over the weekend it was great to see the ladies have such a relaxing fun time.
Her appeal on Facebook and in the Killarney Advertiser, which we ran two weeks ago, meant more businesses came on board to make their weekend extra special.
“It was their first visit to Killarney and they had a ball. Lisa said they felt like VIPs and that she’s dying to come back down again.”
Ciara, who said that she felt the urge to help after watching the moving programme, added that she’s very thankful to everyone who came on board and made it extra special for Lisa and her family.
“It worked out great in the long run and I want to thank everyone that came on board to help.”
Funeral arrangements have been announced for the respected Killarney journalist and founder of KillarneyToday.com, John O’Mahony, who passed away on Tuesday 9th June.
Mr O’Mahony passed away peacefully following a short illness, surrounded by his family at St. James’s Hospital in Dublin. The news of his passing has brought a widespread sense of sadness across the local community, media, and political sectors, where he worked for over four decades.
He is sadly missed and dearly loved by his wife Geraldine, his daughter Molly, her partner Joe, and his dog Nigel. He is also lovingly remembered by his brother Brian, sisters Joan, Mary, and Sheila, extended family, relatives, neighbours, and a wide circle of friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Patrick and Sheila O’Mahony.
Reposing will take place at O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Killarney, this Sunday 14th June, from 3:30pm to 6:00pm.
The funeral cortege will arrive at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Monday morning, 15th June, at 10:00am for Requiem Mass at 10:30am. A private cremation will take place afterwards at the Island Crematorium in Cork at 2:00pm.
Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Special golf tournament to remember the late Dermot Galvin
The late and deeply missed Dermot Galvin will be remembered at a special charity golf tournament on June 26.
The ‘Teeing Up for Charity – The Dermot Galvin Classic’ is organised by his wife, the renowned local photographer Michelle Cooper Galvin.
The event will raise funds for the Kerry Hospice Foundation’s Palliative Care Unit and Comfort for Chemo.
Organisers have issued the timesheet to participants and request that all players arrive at least 40 minutes before their tee-off time. Goodie bags will be provided on arrival.
The prize-giving ceremony and the presentation of cheques to the chosen charities will take place at approximately 8pm that evening.
“Your support means a great deal and helps the Kerry Hospice Foundation and Comfort for Chemo continue their invaluable work, while also honouring Dermot’s memory,” said Michelle.
There will be no raffle on the day, but raffle tickets are currently on sale in advance. Tickets can be purchased directly from Michelle on 082 583 3336.
Team payments must be made by Friday 19th June. Payments can be made to the Killarney Credit Union account under the name ‘Teeing Up for Charity’.
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