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Time to honour the McShains’ contribution to Killarney

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By Sean MoriartyA committee is to be established to find a way to honour the McShain family and their incalculable contribution to Killarney.

John McShain was a millionaire Irish American construction magnate. Among his achievements were the construction of the Pentagon and the completion of the White House in Washington DC.In the late 1950s McShain joined a consortium that had purchased the 25,000 acre estate of the Earls of Kenmare.His partners sold their shares to him in 1959, at which time he took over lands that included Killarney House, the ruins of Ross Castle, Glena Mountain, and two of the famous lakes including Loch Leane.In 1973 he signed over most of his properties to the Irish State – what is now Killarney National Park.When John died in 1989 and his wife Mary in 1999, they handed the remainder of their property, Killarney House, over to the State and that period building has become a tourist attraction in its own right.Next year will mark the 35th and 25th anniversaries of their respective deaths and the Council wants to mark the occasion with a permanent remembrance to the McShains.Cllr Marie Moloney raised the issue at this week’s Killarney Municipal District meeting.“I am asking Killarney Municipal District to set up a committee of Executive, Elected Members and a number of interested members of the public to determine the most fitting and appropriate way to honour the late great John McShain for what he has done for Killarney,” she said.

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All eyes down as St Oliver’s hosts bumper bingo fundraiser

It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night. The event, which is being held […]

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It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night.

The event, which is being held to raise additional funds for the school’s Special Classes, will take place in the Killarney Racecourse in the Celtic Steps venue.

According to Colm Ó Súilleabháin, Principal of St Oliver’s, the idea for the fundraiser was the brainchild of Denise Hendey, a parent of one of the children in the Special Classes who approached the school wanting to assist with raising much-needed funds for the classes. “She has been utterly amazing with the amount of work and organisation she has put into this event, sourcing an incredible number of fantastic prizes for the raffle and spot prizes for the bingo winners” he said.
Continuing he said “We are so appreciative of the incredible support we have received from all the businesses who have sponsored some amazing prizes and made very generous donations in support of the event.”

St. Oliver’s has eight separate Special Classes, home to 62 children. All monies raised on the night will go towards purchasing additional resources for the classes.

The event will commence at 7pm with doors opening at 6pm. So be sure to come along to what is promised to be a fun-filled night with numerous opportunities to win some amazing prizes and hopefully if there is a ‘knock on the door’ or a ‘bang on the drum’ it will be on your bingo card!

Bingo books (€10) and raffle tickets (€5) are available to buy from the school office and will be available on the night. All welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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Milltown plan to preserve history in community project 

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The Milltown History and Heritage Society has announced plans for an oral history archive for the community.

It is hoped that the collection and preservation of stories and folklore will be a valuable resource for future generations.

Oral history expert and historian Dr Tomás Mac Conmara will speak in Milltown in support of the launch.

Dr Mac Conmara, who is an award-winning oral historian, lecturer and author, will speak at the Muintir na Tíre Hall in Milltown at 8pm on Friday, October 24 and will introduce the fundamentals for the collection of oral history.

The presentation is free of charge and is supported by funding from the Creative Communities Grant Scheme 2025.

Attendees will be introduced to the practical skills required in interviewing, recording and documenting local heritage.

Stewart Stephans of the Milltown History and Heritage Society said they are excited to have Tomás to set them on the right path towards the development of the archive.

He said: “The collection and retention of oral history needs to be approached properly, drawing on the right advice and maintaining high standards, so we are pleased to be getting the input of such a renowned expert.” The event is open to anyone who would like to attend.

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