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Killarney links to Ireland’s oldest person who passed away this week

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Ireland’s oldest person Máirín Hughes, has died at the age of 109.

Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 had strong Killarney connections.

The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.

Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.

Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.

She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.

In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.

In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.

Last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History - Irish Life and Lore’.

During the broadcast she talked about her parents' membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.

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Connecting Kerry’s Wildlife: Hedgerows and Trees Exhibition

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A wildlife exhibition currently on display at Killarney Library will soon tour across Kerry.

The project, Hedgerows and Trees in the Kingdom, is a collaboration between Crainn Chiarraí and the Kerry County Council Biodiversity Officer.

It highlights the importance of hedgerows and trees for biodiversity, climate, and cultural value, while promoting best practice in managing these landscapes as ecological corridors for wildlife.

Six arts facilitators led workshops for participants to create individual and collaborative pieces showcasing native hedgerows and their habitats.


The exhibition will travel across the county over the coming months, paired with local workshops to continue educating communities on hedgerow and tree management.


As part of the initiative, a related event will take place on October 24 and 25 at Tralee Bay Wetlands and Cromane, sharing knowledge and practical projects for managing hedgerows and trees.


https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/connecting-kerrys-wildlife-trees-and-hedges-in-the-kingdom-tickets-1776666961709

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Local students attend SVP Youth Programme 

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Students from Killarney Community College and Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra proudly represented their schools at the SVP Launch Programme in Killarney. 

SVP Regional President Mary Frances opened the event with a talk by Dee Seaney. Event highlights included community bag design, a table quiz, a teachers’ workshop and a student ‘couch talk’.

SPSL students Rachel O’ Connor, Abbie O’ Leary, Eila and Cici Reeves, attended with their Chaplain. 

The school gave a special shoutout to Rachel and Abbie and last year’s TYs, whose incredible work was celebrated during a heartfelt couch talk. Their creativity also shone through as they won the artwork on an SVP bag!

The Rathmore students brought home 1st prize in the quiz, showing off their knowledge and teamwork!

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