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Help set wheels in motion to buy wheelchair accessible bus

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Pictured above the launch of a series of charity events all in aid of a new wheelchair friendly bus was Michael Daly, Mary O'Brien, Mairead Casey, Kathleen, James Rooney, Jacinta O'Callaghan, Shauna Aherne, Avril Rooney, Tony Darmody and organiser Agnes Rooney. PICTURE: SALLY MACMONAGLE

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KILLARNEY woman Agnes Rooney decided to get in gear to take action when she discovered many members of the local community face difficulty in going about their daily lives because of the lack of wheelchair-accessible transport.

Agnes is on a mission to raise funds for a bus for the Kerry Parents & Friends Association. “I have a sister, Mairead, who has intellectual difficulties, and who unfortunately lost most of her mobility a couple of years ago,” said Agnes.

“She now has to have a wheelchair-accessible bus to go to work each day. I realised there was a need for funding when the bus arrived for Mairead one morning and the wheelchair access lift didn’t work. When I enquired about this, I was told that the fleet of 17 buses are deteriorating with no funding for replacement.”

Agnes added: “These buses take Mairead and her friends to work, home, hospital appointments, social training, respite and holidays to name but a few. They travel all over Kerry and truly support them and their families in ways that the greater community may not understand.”

The buses provide a vital service for home support, respite and everyday activities for people with intellectual disabilities all over the county, said Agnes. “We would deeply appreciate your support in helping the most vulnerable in our local community,” she added.

With the help of fellow locals, including former Kerry Parents & Friends CEO Tony Darmody, Conor Hennigan, Denis Casey, Gabhan O’Loughlin and Ger Counihan, Agnes swept into action to organise a series of fundraisers.

The first event, a golf classic, will take place on October 1, at Beaufort Golf Club. It is €240 for a team of four and there will be prizes galore and a raffle on the day. "Teeboxes are available and of course if you are not a golfer, all donations would be very much appreciated. Thank you to everyone for your help to date," said Agnes. Contact Agnes Rooney on 087-9865258 for further details.
 


 
Pictured above at the launch of a series of charity events all in aid of a new wheelchair friendly bus was Michael Daly, Mary O'Brien, Mairead Casey, Kathleen, James Rooney, Jacinta O'Callaghan, Shauna Aherne, Avril Rooney, Tony Darmody and organiser Agnes Rooney. PICTURE: SALLY MACMONAGLE

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10-minute plays will linger in the memory

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The West End House School of Arts is delighted to take part in this year’s St Patrick’s Day Festival with a special evening of entertaining readings on Friday, March 13 at 7.30pm.

It promises to be a vibrant showcase of five original 10-minute plays written by emerging local playwrights, each of whom has recently completed a playwriting course with Fiona Doyle (pictured).


Diverse in style and subject matter, these beautifully crafted pieces promise an evening of laughter, tears, and powerful storytelling and each reading will be performed by West End House actors from Kerry.


Together, they highlight the remarkable talent of these up-and-coming writers and actors, who are the future of theatre in our community.

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Get your scrap together

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Following the success of the first ever Killarney Lions Club scrap metal collection in 2025, the Club will again run the event this year in partnership with KWD Recycling on March 28, at Killarney Racecourse.

Similar to 2025, money raised through recycling the metal will go towards improving facilities for families attending the children’s cancer unit in Cork University Hospital, as part of an overall fundraising drive being coordinated by Lions Clubs all over Munster.

The Club is asking people to bring non-ferrous scrap metals such as aluminium, copper, brass, zinc and stainless steel (no white goods such as fridges/cookers washing machines). Volunteers will be on hand from 9am until 4pm to take donations of scrap and work with KWD Recycling to remove it for processing.

“Although Lions Clubs in Munster have already raised some funds for CUH, more is still needed, so we’re delighted that KWD Recycling is working with us again to support this very worthwhile cause”, said Jason Higgins, President of Killarney Lions Club. “We’re asking anyone who has scrap metal at home, at work or on the farm now or in the next few weeks to please bring it to the Racecourse on the day because everything we collect will make a difference.”

Tadhg Healy, Sales Manager at KWD Recycling added that “We will recycle any high quality scrap metal that we collect – it can be quite valuable and of course it’s better for the environment if it’s recycled instead of being dumped. On top of that, the main thing with this collection is to help families of children with cancer, so hopefully we’ll get a good response from everyone and raise as much money as possible through this event”.

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