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Cancer fundraiser set up in memory of popular Killarney man

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FUNDRAISER: Derry O'Leary wanted to thank care staff who looked after him while he fought cancer so a fundraiser was set up in his memory.

By Sean Moriarty

A GoFundMe campaign set up in memory of a popular Killarney man has already raised €8,000 for cancer charities in the county.

Derry (Jeremiah) O'Leary, from Flesk Bridge House, Muckross Road, and formerly of Inch, Kilcummin, passed away on Easter Saturday after a long fight with the disease.

Derry was so thankful for the care he received in the Palliative Day Care and Palliative Care Hospice at University Hospital Kerry and the support from the Irish Cancer Society Daffodil Nurses that it was one of his last wishes a fundraiser for these charities should be set up in his name after he passed.

He was well-known around Killarney having worked in a variety of roles with companies including Transmould, Dawn Dairies and finally Stryker Medical in Macroom.

An avid Liverpool fan he had travelled many times to Anfield to see his beloved Reds play. Derry also travelled to many race meetings across the country and abroad with Cheltenham being one of his favourites.

Indeed, it was at the Killarney Races where he first met his wife Helen Mannix, and later ended up proposing at the Galway Festival which became a yearly celebration for them.

Helen said she was thrilled with the response to the fundraiser.

“This is what he wanted, and I wanted to do it sooner rather than later," she told the Killarney Advertiser.

"He was very grateful to the staff at the three charities and would even look forward to his trip to University Hospital Kerry every Wednesday as his day out – they were so good."

Derry was an accomplished sportsman too and played for the Kilcummin GAA side that won the 1997 Intermediate Football Championship with his father Jerry as selector. He was also a keen soccer player with Anabla FC and Mastergeeha, and was a member of the 1994 St Brendan’s College team that won the Corn Uí Mhuirí.

His cousin Sean O’Leary also played for Kilcummin in 1997.

“Derry was a major part in us winning," he said.

"Derry got bad news over two years ago and faced his illness like every battle he faced on the field with determination and courage. May the sod lay lightly on Derry, my old teammate, cousin and loyal friend.”

To donate, go to GoFundMe: Derry O Leary Memorial Fund.

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New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

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A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.

Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.

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