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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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Chamber pays tribute to late Dick Henggeler

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has expressed condolences following the death of Dick Henggeler, the well-known owner of The Rose Hotel in Tralee. Mr Henggeler passed away peacefully at […]

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Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has expressed condolences following the death of Dick Henggeler, the well-known owner of The Rose Hotel in Tralee.

Mr Henggeler passed away peacefully at his home in Baltimore, USA surrounded by his Aghadoe-born wife Eibhlin (née Moriarty), their son Franz, and other family members.
Dick and Eibhlin purchased The Rose Hotel in 2015 in tribute to their late daughter Dorothy, who represented Washington DC in the 2011 Rose of Tralee Festival.
The Chamber said Mr Henggeler would be remembered for his warmth, good nature and positive approach, as well as for being a forward-thinking and knowledgeable businessman.
“He knew how to run a good hotel and that was and still is very obvious at The Rose Hotel, which is a great success story,” the Chamber said.
It added that continuity of ownership will remain in place, with Eibhlin, Franz, daughter-in-law Amber, and grandchildren Conrad and Rowan continuing to honour Dick’s legacy and vision for the hotel.
“Dick took enormous personal pride in Tralee and all of Kerry and he was always available to generously support any community initiative or endeavour undertaken in Killarney,” the Chamber said.
“He will be greatly missed by all that knew him but he leaves a wonderful legacy.”

He will repose at O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Killarney, on Friday (October 17), from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. The funeral will arrive at St Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday morning at 10:00am for Requiem Mass at 10:30am, with burial afterwards in Aghadoe Cemetery. The Requiem Mass will be live streamed at https://www.churchservices.tv/killarneycathedral.

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Beaufort Film Night returns with French drama-comedy

Beaufort Film Night will return on Friday (October 17) at Cullina National School, with a screening of the French drama-comedy The Marching Band. The film tells the story of Thibaut, […]

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Beaufort Film Night will return on Friday (October 17) at Cullina National School, with a screening of the French drama-comedy The Marching Band.

The film tells the story of Thibaut, a successful conductor recently diagnosed with leukaemia. A search for a bone marrow donor reveals that he was adopted and has a brother, Jimmy, a cafeteria worker.
The two meet, discover a shared love of music, and form a strong bond through an unexpected collaboration with Jimmy’s workplace band.
The Marching Band (French title En Fanfare) will screen at 8.30pm. Admission is €7, cash only, and will cover the motion picture licence fee.
The film has a 12A rating and is in French with English subtitles.
Beaufort Film Night is a non-profit community group that screens cultural English and international films that usually do not receive general release in Kerry.
The event is supported by Kerry County Council Arts Office and Access Cinema. Cullina National School is providing the venue.
Further details are available on Beaufort Film Night’s Facebook page @BeaufortFilmNight.

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