News
Killarney recognises one of its most famous daughters
By Michelle Crean
A Killarney woman responsible for saving countless lives during World War 2 was honoured on Tuesday afternoon during a special ceremony and plaque unveiling on Mission Road.
PLAQUE: The plaque pictured up close in honour of Janie McCarthy. Photo: Michelle crean
HISTORY: Lots of work and research led to the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to Janie McCarthy on Mission Road on Tuesday afternoon. Pictured were: James O'Connor (Killarney Historic Society) Mary G O'Sullivan (researcher) Mayor of Killarney Marie Moloney Angela McAllen (Manager Killarney Municipal District) and Noel Grimes (Historian). Photo: Michelle Crean
HONOUR: Padraig Brosnan Maureen Somers Marie Brosnan Leahy Joe Cotter Mayor of Killarney Marie Moloney Angela McAllen (Manager Killarney Municipal District) and Mary G O'Sullivan pictured in front of the plaque which was unveiled to Janie McCarthy on Mission Road on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Crean
Cllr John O'Donoghue Cllr Maura Healy Rae Cllr Donal Grady Mayor of Killarney Marie Moloney Angela McAllen (Manager Killarney Municipal District) and Cllr Niall 'Botty' O'Callaghan pictured at the unveiling of the plaque to Janie McCarthy after it was unveiled on Mission Road on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Crean
UNVEILED: Mayor of Killarney Marie Moloney and Mary G O'Sullivan admiring the plaque to Janie McCarthy after it was unveiled on Mission Road on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Crean
PLAQUE: The plaque pictured up close in honour of Janie McCarthy. Photo: Michelle crean
HISTORY: Lots of work and research led to the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to Janie McCarthy on Mission Road on Tuesday afternoon. Pictured were: James O'Connor (Killarney Historic Society) Mary G O'Sullivan (researcher) Mayor of Killarney Marie Moloney Angela McAllen (Manager Killarney Municipal District) and Noel Grimes (Historian). Photo: Michelle Crean
HONOUR: Padraig Brosnan Maureen Somers Marie Brosnan Leahy Joe Cotter Mayor of Killarney Marie Moloney Angela McAllen (Manager Killarney Municipal District) and Mary G O'Sullivan pictured in front of the plaque which was unveiled to Janie McCarthy on Mission Road on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Crean
Cllr John O'Donoghue Cllr Maura Healy Rae Cllr Donal Grady Mayor of Killarney Marie Moloney Angela McAllen (Manager Killarney Municipal District) and Cllr Niall 'Botty' O'Callaghan pictured at the unveiling of the plaque to Janie McCarthy after it was unveiled on Mission Road on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Crean
UNVEILED: Mayor of Killarney Marie Moloney and Mary G O'Sullivan admiring the plaque to Janie McCarthy after it was unveiled on Mission Road on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Crean
Janie McCarthy, born in 1885 at Bohereen na Goun, New Street, played a key role in opposing the Nazi occupation of France during World War 2 and her heroic efforts are akin to those by Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty in Rome.
Mayor Marie Moloney had, in the past, called for Janie to be honoured in a similar way to the Monsignor who has a life sized statue erected in his honour on Mission Road.
Cllr John O’Donoghue previously brought a similar motion to a Council meeting following calls from his uncle, former councillor Michael Gleeson who made several attempts to honour the war hero in 2005 but it never came to fruition.
Lots of work and research led to Tuesday's unveiling including a thesis by Mary G O'Sullivan alongside research by James O'Connor from the Killarney Historic Society and historian Noel Grimes.
"I am delighted, as Cathaoirleach of Killarney Municipal District, to be able to unveil this plaque to recognise the contribution of Janie McCarthy and her work for the Resistance during World War II," Marie Moloney said.
"Her contribution to the fight for freedom is the reason why we are here. Following the outbreak of World War 2, Janie McCarthy joined the resistance and saved countless lives while staying in war-torn Paris, helping rescue members of the allied forces and intelligence services and smuggling them through the various escape channels and routes to get them out of Nazi occupied France and to safety. Operating in Paris while it was occupied by Nazi forces from 1940 to 1944 she passed hundreds of American, French and other allies through her hands, losing only one."
As a result of her work Janie was awarded France’s highest award, the Legion d’Honour, the Croix de Guerre and a Croix de la Resistance. The United States of America also honoured the Killarney native with the Medal of Freedom while Britain awarded her the Tedder Certificate for assisting British personnel to escape.
Janie was educated at The Convent of Mercy and went to France in 1910 where she worked as an au pair in Brittany and as a teacher for 15 years in Vannes.
The Germans occupied Paris where she was teaching during World War 2 and she immediately joined La Résistance.
Janie’s family members, the Brosnan family and the Cotter family, were in attendance at the unveiling alongside Manager of Killarney Municipal District Angela McAllen, Killarney Municipal District councillors John O'Donoghue, Maura Healy Rae, Donal Grady, and Niall 'Botty' O'Callaghan.
Janie also featured in a booked called ‘Hidden Kerry’, published in 2014, by local author and journalist Breda Joy.
"We have long honoured the exploits of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty for his work in saving thousands of allied soldiers and Jews. I find it amazing that two Killarney people would have had so much involvement in the safe escape of allied troops during World War 2, yet it should be no surprise that they were so successful, being from Killarney. I am hugely proud that Killarney now recognises one of its most famous daughters."
St Brendan’s College student Franciszek (Frank) Jakubowski has claimed a title on the national martial arts stage after winning a gold medal and championship belt at NAGA Ireland, one of the country’s premier Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions.
The 17-year-old Killarney resident fought through five matches to secure first place in his category at the event. The Fifth Year student trains locally at BJJ Killarney under coach Wilson, who guides his daily skill development. He also credits his older brother Filip, who competes in Cork, for helping him fine-tune his technique, prepare for tournaments, and support his athletic journey.
Jakubowski is a regular competitor on the Irish and international circuit, having built up a strong record across major events. Along with his latest NAGA Ireland belt and gold medal, his recent achievements include two gold medals and a silver medal at the Irish Open, four gold medals at the Grapple Series, and a gold and silver medal performance at the Ground Game Cup in Suwałki.
The essential and often overlooked role played by the women of Kerry during the revolutionary period in Ireland has been acknowledged with the unveiling of a commemorative sculpture in Tralee Town Park.
The landmark memorial—the first of its kind in the country and the first ever commissioned by a local authority—follows a proposal from the female elected members of Kerry County Council. Former and current councillors Norma Moriarty, Aoife Thornton, Deirdre Ferris, Maura Healy-Rae, and Marie Moloney brought forward the motion in 2023, seeking a fitting tribute to the vital contribution of Kerry women between 1912 and 1923.
Titled ‘Spiorad Bán Chiarraí’ (Spirit of the Kerry Women), the 2.5-metre (100-inch) bronze artwork was created by award-winning sculptor Elizabeth O’Kane. The piece depicts a woman in period uniform marching forward while raising the Irish flag. Her determined expression and raised chin signify courage, resilience, and leadership.
To ensure precise historical accuracy, O’Kane referenced original uniforms associated with Cumann na mBan and Cumann na Saoirse, complete with a Sam Browne belt and Slouch hat. The sculpture was supported by funding from the Department of Housing and Local Government under the Percent for Art Scheme.
“The sculpture was a year and a half in the making, from sculpting the larger-than-life-size clay figure in my studio to the many months of highly skilled bronze casting carried out in a Dublin foundry,” said Elizabeth O’Kane.
“From start to finish, it has been a labour of love—artists often claim to suffer for their work, but I have the X-ray to prove it! A fractured wrist in the middle of the project was extremely untimely, but I am immensely proud of the final result. It has been a privilege to commemorate the women of this period with a sculpture that celebrates their courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy.”
O’Kane was awarded the commission following an open competition. A member of the Society of Portrait Sculptors, her work is also featured in Leinster House, the European Parliament, Shannon Airport, and Irish embassies in London and Washington.
Unveiling the piece alongside fellow elected members, Mayor of Tralee Cllr Angie Baily described the sculpture as an evocative tribute to the diverse roles women played in the years leading up to Irish independence.
“This is a beautiful memorial which reflects the wide and diverse roles of Kerry women during the revolution, whether they took part in combat or contributed to a wide range of social, cultural, and political activities and organisations like Cumann na mBan,” Cllr Baily said. “Sadly, for too long, the story of these women during this period was sidelined and ignored, and I believe that this sculpture will encourage new engagement with the remarkable role of the women of Kerry during this formative and turbulent time.”
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