News
Easter traditions continue in new accommodation
It is a long-standing Ukrainian tradition to tidy up our homes, plant flowers, saw dry tree branches and sweep leaves on the eve of Easter.
Sunday morning, Ukrainians from the Innisfallen Hotel were very active as we decided to clean up the area around the hotel and the path in the park that leads from Fossa to Killarney.
In the old days, women used to paint the house white with white lime to prepare for the holidays.
Therefore, Ukrainians who have private homes or relatives in the villages always gather a week before Easter to work together.
11-year-old Volodymyr Kravchenko from Kharkiv is carefully clearing last year's leaves near the hotel.
"At home we clean every spring at our summer cottage and I really like this kind of work."
Lilia Paseka, who sweeps the rubbish, says she wants to thank both the hotel staff and the local community for the warm welcome in Killarney.
"Now this is our home, and it should be cozy and comfortable," she said.
Neither the wind nor the rain prevented us from working well and happily in the yard. There were so many people willing to help that there were not enough shovels and brooms for everyone.
Olga Tkachenko and her 13-year-old son Ivan actively worked together with all the people. Due to the war in 2014, Olga was forced to leave her home in Donbass and move to Kyiv. Now she is again forced to save her family from the Russian army by coming to Ireland. Olga almost cries, and says she is very grateful to the Irish who warmly sheltered her family. "I want to thank everyone for their work," she added.
Svitlana Malysheva and Olena Okhrimchuk jog in the park every day. They took rubber gloves and large bags with them and removed all the rubbish on the picturesque path leading from Fossa to Killarney.
But a real surprise was prepared by Svetlana. She brought with her from Ukraine the seeds of marigold flowers which are very popular. They have been growing in every Ukrainian yard for centuries and we compose songs about these flowers.
Marigold - plant of the daisy family, typically with yellow, orange, or copper-brown flowers, that is widely cultivated as an ornamental. Imagine, marigolds for Ukrainians are as important a symbol as the Rose of Tralee is to the Irish. Svetlana planted the seeds in a flowerbed near the hotel. In June, everyone will be able to admire the bright yellow and orange flowers near our new home.
Couples across the parish of Kilcummin gathered at Our Lady of Lourdes Church for a special celebration Mass honouring milestone wedding anniversaries.
The special service, celebrated by Fr Pat O’Donnell, brought together local couples celebrating 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 years of marriage. Each couple received a commemorative certificate in recognition of their decades of commitment and companionship.
Following the ceremony, the parish committee hosted a reception in the parish hall, where attendees enjoyed tea, home baking, and an opportunity to catch up with neighbours and family members.
Organisers extended their gratitude to Fr O’Donnell, the church committee, photographer Anne Holland, and all who helped arrange the celebratory event.
ANNIVERSARY MASS: Pictured at the Kilcummin wedding anniversary mass are (front row, left to right) Michael and Mary Dorrigan, Michael and Mary Moynihan, Marion and Timmy O’Keeffe, and Clare and Sean Moynihan; (second row) Robert and Ann Marie Keane, Paudie and Kate Cahill, Hann and Denny Donnelly, Sheila and Charlie O’Neill, and Maureen and Francis O’Doherty; (third row) Maura and Cornelius Brosnan, Joan and Jeremiah Desmond, Breda and Timmy O’Leary, Noreen and Patie Nagle, and Barry and Breda Duggan; with (back row) Willie and Breda Fleming, Mary and Noel Cronin, and Fr Pat O’Donnell. Photo: Anne Holland.
PEARL ANNIVERSARY: Clare and Sean Moynihan celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
GOLDEN JUBILEE: Marion and Timmy O’Keeffe marking 50 years of marriage during the parish anniversary celebrations in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
RUBY CELEBRATION: Timmy and Breda O’Leary celebrating 40 years of marriage in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
SAPPHIRE MILESTONE: Joan and Jeremiah Desmond celebrating 45 years of marriage at the anniversary Mass in Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
CORAL ANNIVERSARY: Robert and Anne Marie Keane marking 35 years of marriage at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kilcummin. Photo: Anne Holland.
Killarney Plaza wins top golf hotel award
Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa has been named IGTOA Large Golf Hotel of the Year at the 29th National Golf Tourism Conference and Gala Irish Golf Awards.
Organised by the Irish Golf Tour Operators Association, the annual conference brings together golf operators, hotels, clubs, and industry partners from across Ireland. The awards ceremony took place during a black-tie gala evening at Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa, hosted by broadcaster Des Cahill.
The category winner was selected through votes cast by IGTOA tour operator members. Established in 1996, the association promotes Ireland as an international golfing destination.
Hotel management expressed gratitude to the tour operators, regional partners, and guests who supported the venue throughout the year. The hotel operates as part of the local O’Donoghue Ring Collection.
GOLF AWARD: Representing the Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa, part of the O’Donoghue Ring Collection, Seán Howley (Group Business Development Manager), Brian Lawlor (Group General Manager), and Tomás O’Gorman (Guest Relations Manager) at the National Golf Tourism Conference
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