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Applause for Woman of the Year Eileen

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CONGRATULATIONS to Eileen Switzer who took a very well deserved bow when she received the Woman of the Year Award from the Killarney Soroptimists.

Eileen was guest of honour at the club’s Christmas party in The Gleneagle Hotel on Tuesday where was presented with the award by Killarney Soroptimists president Emer Moynihan, Clair Bowler and national Soroptimists president Teresa Irwin.

In her address to the gathering, Maura Fitzgerald highlighted Eileen’s supreme generosity and tireless volunteering for the community of Killarney. “Eileen personifies the word community with her commitment to the many organisations she has been involved with over her lifetime,” said Maura.

The eternally youthful mother and grandmother has been a mentor and friend to generations of young people in Killarney through her involvement in everything from Community Games to St Mary’s Parish Hall activities and more. “The greatest gift one can give a person is time and Eileen has surpassed all generosity in this area,” added Maura.

Modest to the core, Eileen said volunteering something she regards as “part of my life”. “It keeps you young!” she told Killarney Advertiser.

The hugely popular Killarney lady previously won national Women in Sport award and Killarney Mayor’s Award.
Eileen continues to volunteer at St Mary’s Parish Hall, where she has run the juvenile badminton club for almost 40 years. “Eileen could be known as Mrs Parish Hall!” said Maura. “Along with her fellow volunteer Sean O’Sullivan she supervises the bookings for the hall and she is known by people using the hall to have a very generous heart.”

Eileen is also very much involved with Deerpark Pitch and Putt Club, where she is lady captain, and Ross Golf Club, where she served as a lady captain in the past.

A keen promoter of the Killarney Microtrack project, Eileen also spearheads activities with the Kerry Parents & Friends group.

Eileen and her husband Frank were involved in Community Games in Killarney North and beyond for over 40 years. “They encouraged and coached hundreds of children to great success but most of all gave these young people a love of a variety of sports,” added Maura. Eileen also served on the county executive and made sure the voice of Killarney Community Games was heard nationally.
 


 
Above: Eileen Switzer receives the Woman of the Year award from Emer Moynihan, Clair Bowler and Teresa Irwin. Pic: Dylan Clifford

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New St author brings Fitzgerald’s story to life

Talented Killarney author Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, who has penned a fascinating book on the life and times of The Great Gatsby writer F Scott Fitzgerald, has said there is strong […]

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Talented Killarney author Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, who has penned a fascinating book on the life and times of The Great Gatsby writer F Scott Fitzgerald, has said there is strong anecdotal evidence that the great American wordsmith had Kerry roots.

There has been suggestions that Fitzgerald’s family can traced to Horse Island off Ballinskelligs and research is ongoing to determine if the famous novelist, essayist and short story writer gave any indication of his Kerry connection during his lifetime.
Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, formerly of New Street, Killarney and now residing in Beaufort, is the author of Gatsby: Death of an Irishman which was released in March to coincide with the 100th anniversary of publication of Fitzgerald’s most famous work.
O’Sullivan Greene’s research found that Fitzgerald (1896-1940) was initially deeply ashamed of his Irish connection but his views softened when he took an interest in revolutionary politics.
The Killarney man’s book guides the reader through F Scott Fitzgerald’s troubled upbringing, his quest for status, his ambivalence towards his Irish heritage, the socio-political climate of early 20th-century America and the careless jazz era excesses portrayed in The Great Gatsby.
The book peels back the intricate layers of Fitzgerald’s character, revealing the underlying themes of identity and self-rejection in his work, his shifting views of Irish issues and how his personal battles influenced his writing and contributed to his tragic life.
Patrick O’Sullivan Greene will deliver what promises to be an engaging talk on the life and times of F Scott Fitzgerald in the ANAM Arts and Cultural Centre in Killarney on Thursday, July 3 at 6.45pm.
Part of the Celebration of Irish and American Friendship programme, the free lecture is titled Revolution, Rejection and Revival and it will mark a celebration of 100 years of The Great Gatsby.
The event will also include a glamorous 1920’s dance spectacular, tuition on how to dance the Charleston and a live performance by Killarney’s own Liberace, Jack Patrick Healy. The master of ceremonies for the event will be Radio Kerry’s Brendan Fuller.
The author will also share the story of how F Scott Fitzgerald’s grandson, Thomas Manhan, came to Ireland to learn Irish following his graduation in 1964.

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U2’s The Edge among new Irish Citizens

U2 guitarist The Edge, whose real name is David Howell-Evans, was among over 7,500 people granted Irish citizenship this week at the INEC. The ceremonies took place on Monday and […]

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U2 guitarist The Edge, whose real name is David Howell-Evans, was among over 7,500 people granted Irish citizenship this week at the INEC.

The ceremonies took place on Monday and Tuesday this week
Applicants from over 143 countries and across all 32 counties on the island of Ireland are making a declaration of fidelity and loyalty to the State to become Irish citizens.
Seven ceremonies were held over the two days. Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, is joined by Minister of State for Migration, Colm Brophy, and Minister of State for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice, Niall Collins.
“Today’s ceremony was very moving, the room was full of so many people, everyone from different backgrounds, with different stories. It was a privilege to be a part of it and to experience the collective joy as we all became citizens together. I moved to Ireland with my parents as a baby, so it’s not a stretch to say that this is long overdue! I have always felt Irish, Ireland will always be home to me and I’m so grateful for that,” said The Edge.
Ahead of the ceremonies, Minister O’Callaghan said:: “This ceremony marks an important milestone in the lives of those receiving Irish citizenship. For each new citizen it signifies a deep connection to Ireland, its values, and its people. Ireland welcomes our new citizens as full members of society, and their contributions will undoubtedly strengthen the fabric of our nation. I encourage all new citizens to continue to actively engage in their communities so that, together, we can build a thriving society.”
Minister Brophy congratulated the new citizens, adding: “Migration plays an essential role in Ireland’s development. It strengthens our economy, enriches our cultural diversity, and deepens our sense of solidarity. We are proud to welcome each new citizen as valued members of our communities.”
Judge Paddy McMahon was the Presiding Officer for the ceremonies. administered the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State, where new citizens commit to observing Irish laws and respecting its democratic values.
The Citizenship Division has seen a significant increase in applications, processing over 20,000 in 2023 and nearly 31,000 in 2024, up from around 12,000 annually just over two years ago.

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