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Charity night to highlight Nepal plight

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By Michelle Crean

A Killarney woman who was shocked with the level of poverty while volunteering abroad – now plans to help in any way possible – starting with a fundraiser in town next week.

Holly de Burgh (29) from Arbutus Grove, volunteered in Nepal last November, and now plans to hold a fundraising event on March 1 at the Curious Cat Café, at 7pm.

Holly, who studied film photography, plans to exhibit 15 photos taken during her time there, and will also make a presentation to create some awareness about the charity she worked with.

Holly travelled with friends to the capital city of Kathmandu a number of weeks before they were to start volunteering. There they met with Usha, the main facilitator who works closely with impoverished communities throughout Nepal.

“We had heard about Usha and the work she was doing through Sense of Yoga Ireland,” Holly told the Killarney Advertiser this week.

They then travelled to the city of Biratnagar in the East of Nepal and worked with a group of people referred to as the Musahar, from the Dalit caste.

“I had heard about the ‘untouchables’ in Nepal and India, a group of people so discriminated against that others would not eat food that had been prepared by the hand of a so called ‘untouchable’. There are over 220,000 people from the Dalit caste living in Nepal. Shelter and food are the main priority for these people, education takes a back seat and children are often required to work alongside their parents to help provide an income to the household. We spent time in two villages while we were volunteering, one named Shanthi. While there we built secure doors for a number of the homes and also benches and tables for the small school that we refurbished.”

They also provided books and stationary for the students in the school and teaching supplies for the volunteer teacher.

The second community was right on the border of India and Nepal, she added.

“Personally I have never seen people as poor as them. They live hand to mouth with limited access to medical care, education and employment. Poverty for these people is an accepted way of life and their inheritance, in a sense, is this resignation that the situation isn’t going to change for them.”

She added that it was hard to know what to expect from the volunteering in Nepal but it was the most rewarding and important experience of her life.

“To see what could be accomplished in such a short space of time was inspiring to me and to be part of the happiness these communities felt was incredible.”

“Our aim now is to create awareness about these people and the problems they face and in whatever way we can, be it one small step at a time, help to make things that little bit easier for them.”

Entry to the exhibition is €10 euro with a complimentary glass of wine and nibbles.

 

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Network Ireland Kerry discuss sustainable success

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Network Ireland Kerry held their third annual collaboration event last Wednesday at the Rose Hotel, Tralee. The theme was: “The Journey to Sustainable Success” which brought three industry experts together to talk about their own journey to sustainable successful.

Business professionals, entrepreneurs, and financial leaders came together for this highly anticipated event to learn about the journey from becoming a start-up, to a small-to-medium enterprise (SME), and a large SME.

The event was opened by AIB Branch Liaison for Network Ireland Kerry and AIB Castleisland Branch Manager, Colleen Shannon. It was MC’d by AIB Tralee Branch Manager, Stephen Stack.

Sarah Farrar of AINMHÌ, Garrett Dillon of Mr. Binman and Dillon Waste Ltd. and Susan Quirke-Crowley of Mounthawk Montessori School Group were among the speakers at the event.

These leaders spoke about their challenges, milestones, and breakthroughs they encountered, from launching an idea to scaling operations nationally.

Tara Elzingre of Tara Elzingre Consultancy, Zaneta Labuz-Czerwein of Rustic Boowa and Sharon Hartnett of U Coaching promoted their businesses for ‘Minute on the Mic’

Emily Reen, Network Ireland Kerry President, described the event as a testament to the power of partnership. She said: “The event underscored a powerful message: sustainable business success is not a solo journey. With the right partnerships, teams and financial tools, businesses of all sizes can grow with purpose, resilience, and long-term impact.”

Network Ireland Kerry will host their next monthly event on November 12 in Killarney and in collaboration with the Kerry Local Enterprise Office, titled: “Gain Competitive Advantage in Your Business”. This event will be MC’d by Karen Ronan, 2025 National Vice President of Network Ireland and CEO of Galway Chamber. This event is open to non-members and members, and everyone is welcome from 6 pm for networking and refreshments, with the event taking place from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

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Minor injury clinic to open by this time next year

The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home. […]

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The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home.

The timeline was confirmed in response to a Parliamentary Question from Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill, who said the project will follow the relocation of the Community Nursing Unit from its current site to the grounds of the old St Finan’s Hospital. Once the transfer is complete, construction of the injury clinic can proceed.
Deputy Cahill described the two new health facilities as “a fantastic addition for Killarney and the wider East, Mid, and South Kerry regions” and noted they will help reduce waiting times at University Hospital Kerry A&E.
“I will continue to push for enhanced health services for our people,” added the Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Older People.
The new clinic is expected to provide urgent care services for local residents, easing pressure on hospital emergency departments and improving access to timely treatment in the Killarney area.

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