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Claire and Mark celebrate big day in style

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9 years ago

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Claire Brosnan and Mark Francis with Karen Brosnan, Samantha Francis, Christy Francis and Anthony Francis. PICTURE: SALLY MACMONAGLE
Claire Brosnan and Mark Francis with Karen Brosnan, Samantha Francis, Christy Francis and Anthony Francis. PICTURE: SALLY MACMONAGLE

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WEDDING bells rang out in Killarney for Claire Brosnan and Mark Francis on Saturday. Claire, from Port Road, Killarney, and Killorglin native Mark exchanged vows in the Prince of Peace Church in Fossa, in a ceremony led by Fr Tom Looney and Fr Niall Howard.

The bride’s sister Karen Brosnan and groom’s sister Samantha Francis joined forces in the role of bridesmaids while Mark’s brothers Christy and Anthony Francis were best man and groomsman respectively.

The couple’s son Adam Francis enjoyed the limelight as pageboy, as did Mark’s niece Sarah Boyne, who took on flower-girl duties.

Helping lead the celebrations were the bride’s parents Marguerite and Gerard Brosnan and the groom’s mother and father Mary and Christopher Francis.

Friends and family travelled from across Ireland the globe, including from Australia, Sweden and England, for the celebration, with the reception taking place in The Gleneagle Hotel. “The management and staff were amazing, they pulled out all the stops!” said Claire.

Killarney photographer Sally MacMonagle captured the big day on camera and the bride looked stunning in a Maggie Sottero dress.

Claire and Mark first met 12 years ago through mutual friends in Killorglin.

Planning the wedding proved no problem as the couple had plenty of help. “I had amazing wedding planners in my mom, dad and sister!” said Clare. “They did so much for me!”

On Sunday, the celebrations continued at the Old Killarney Inn, with Killarney singer Kieran Healy entertaining all present.

The newlyweds, who reside in Perth, enjoyed a weekend away in Adare and will return to Australia next week. See the feature, with pictures by Sally MacMonagle, in Wedding of the Week in today's edition, page 26, and online on https://issuu.com/killarneyadvertiser/docs/ka_week31
 

 
Pictured above: Claire Brosnan and Mark Francis with Karen Brosnan, Samantha Francis, Christy Francis and Anthony Francis.
PICTURE: SALLY MACMONAGLE

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Concerns over future of St Mary of the Angels

Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for […]

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9 hours ago

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17 October 2025

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Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for children and adults with profound disabilities and special needs.

The campus, set on lands generously donated by the Doyle family, offers 30 acres of grounds, existing buildings, and services, making it a valuable asset for the provision of respite care in Kerry. TD Michael Cahill emphasized that the Doyle family’s wishes should be respected, and that the grounds should be made accessible immediately.
“The special needs community in Kerry has a major respite crisis and families don’t have time to wait. Families need help — they are not asking for full-time residential care but respite care, a break, a helping hand,” Deputy Cahill said.
He added that a bespoke approach is needed to meet the individual needs of children attending St Francis Special School. “Many of the children in the county with profound needs need a safe haven where they can roam the grounds freely, and St Mary of the Angels offers this.”
Deputy Cahill has accompanied several Ministers to the Beaufort campus to highlight its value to Disability Health Service providers. A working group has been formed including St John of Gods, the HSE, representatives of residents at St Mary of the Angels, and St Francis Special School, to explore options for maintaining and expanding respite services.
“Parents are worn out and at the end of their tether. This needs to be dealt with expeditiously, in an environment of cooperation between the relevant Government Departments of Health, Disability, and Education. We need to get this across the line urgently and put it permanently in place,” he said.
Deputy Cahill pointed to the current shortfall of respite services in Kerry. “As of now, Cunamh Iveragh respite in Cahersiveen is only open Friday to Sunday, running at half capacity — two adults per night instead of four. The issue is staffing, and the HSE will not release funding to open full-time. The Beaufort campus is available and should be utilised as parents are crying out for overnight respite. Cooperation and compassion could see this done quickly.”
TD Danny Healy Rae echoed these concerns during a Dáil speech this week. “We are still short of respite beds on the southern side of the constituency. Families caring for people with disabilities just want a break, but there is nowhere available locally. Places are being offered only in Tipperary or Meath for those needing new residential care. It makes no sense. St Mary of the Angels in Beaufort has 40 or 50 acres of grounds that could be expanded, with facilities already in place such as swimming pools. It could be developed as a model for the rest of the country.”
Both TDs are urging the Government and the HSE to take immediate action to utilise the Beaufort campus for respite care, in line with the intentions of the Doyle family and the needs of Kerry families.

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Cardiac Response Unit’s ‘Restart a Heart’ training event

Killarney Cardiac Response Unit (KCRU) is set to run a range of events as part of the global initiative Restart A Heart, which aims to increase awareness and actual rates […]

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13 hours ago

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17 October 2025

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Killarney Cardiac Response Unit (KCRU) is set to run a range of events as part of the global initiative Restart A Heart, which aims to increase awareness and actual rates of bystander CPR worldwide.

The main event, titled RAH 2025, invites the public to learn life-saving skills and the basic steps in the chain of survival. This will take place on Saturday, October 18, at the Killarney Outlet Centre.
Members of the public are encouraged to join KCRU at the centre between 10:00 am and 5pm.
Key feature of the day will be the CPR Competition, offering “fantastic prizes to be won.”
For further information, visit www.killarneycru.ie/rah25

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