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Chair exercise class planned for arthritis sufferers 

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By Michelle Crean

Thousands in Kerry suffer from the debilitating condition arthritis and to help a special exercise class is planned in Killarney.

National Arthritis Week takes place next week with the theme this year 'Let's Get Physical!'

According to statistics one in five Irish people have arthritis, fibromyalgia or another related condition, representing 29,500 people out of a total population of 148,000, with 18 percent under 55 years of age, in the Kerry area.

The Kerry Branch of Arthritis Ireland (KBAI) are now planning to pilot an initial six weeks aerobic, strength and conditioning chair exercise programme for people living with arthritis and other related conditions, Tom Barrett, chairman of KBAI, explained to the Killarney Advertiser.

"It will be delivered by a CORU Registered Chartered Physiotherapist on Thursday evening April 14 from 7pm to 8pm in the St John Paul ll Pastrol Centre, Rock Road, next to the Garda Station."

Inflammatory type arthritis is the most severe form of the disease affecting one percent of the population with in excess of 2,000 new diagnoses every year in Ireland. As a disease, arthritis accounts for one in three GP visits. Furthermore, approximately seven million days are lost each year due to absence and ill health attributable to musculoskeletal diseases, costing the State €300m in illness benefit.

"Arthritis is an invisible condition and patients are not walking around with tell-tale glowing red dots of where their joints or organs are affected by inflammation. They look perfectly healthy and at the same time they are suffering in silence. As there is no known cure, managing it as best one can is currently the only option available to people living with the condition."

The Kerry Branch of Arthritis Ireland provide several specially adapted and supervised exercise programmes including hydrotherapy, aqua aerobics/aqua jogging, seated aerobic strength and conditioning, walking with Nordic and Activator Walking Poles, locally for people living with arthritis and other related conditions.

"We would like to highlight how important exercise is in the management of their condition and also highlight that help is available locally."

For more information check out The Kerry Branch of Arthritis Ireland Facebook Page.

To book one of the limited places available please phone or text 087 6723442.

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Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections

Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]

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Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.

Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has 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.

“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”

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.

This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.

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Philip is running over 100kms for Cancer charity

Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday. Phillip has already […]

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Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday.

Phillip has already completed four half marathons at various locations around Killarney – all in aid of Kerry Cancer Support Group – or the Cancer Bus as it popularly called.

This is the second time that Phillip has run four half marathon and an official race for the charity.

Back in 2021 he finished with 5km Run Killarney event but his finishing race this time around is over eight times the distance at 42kms.

“We are delighted with Philip’s continued fundraising support but also with his awareness raising for the charity,” Breda Dyland, Service Manager Kerry Cancer Support Trust.

“We are getting busier all the time and still get no statutory funding so are dependent on fundraisers like Philip’s to keep us on the road. We have just put our new wheelchair accessible bus on the Cork route so Philip’s funding will be going towards the operation of this vehicle.”

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