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Coping with a special needs adult during COVID-19 restrictions

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LOOKING AFTER EACH OTHER: Dermot and Rita Moriarty with Rita’s sister Roseanne O’Connor from Tiernaboul, Marie Lenihan (KPFA), and Denis Kerins from Gneeveguilla pictured earlier this year. The Moriarty family have praised the support they have received from KPFA in this difficult time Photo: Grigoriy Geniyevskiy

By Sean Moriarty

A Killarney woman, who is the full-time carer for her special needs sister, says moves that would see full-time carers and family members being made a priority for COVID-19 testing, would be welcome.

Rita Moriarty, wife of local broadcasting legend Dermot, has been the full-time carer of her sister Roseanne O’Connor since their mother died in 2001.

Roseanne attended the Kerry Parents and Friends Day Care Centre in Killarney every day, but that has now been closed due to Coronavirus restrictions.

“I would agree as Roseanne is high-risk,” Rita told the Killarney Advertiser. “We are lucky, we live in the country and have a big garden but there are other families who have special needs and they could live in an apartment block and how are they coping and what if something happens to them? I am taking every precaution, I would not let my brother into the house on the day of Roseanne’s birthday in March.

Like many other families, the Moriarty family is now facing new challenges.

KPFA care for 270 special needs patients across Kerry – 115 of them based in the greater Killarney area.

Like all other schools and similar establishments in the country, the facility was forced to close on March 13.

“During these unprecedented weeks as a family having to care for someone with an intellectual disability at home is difficult. Roseanne attends the Kerry Parents and Friends in Killarney, 'The Mon' as she calls it, from Monday to Friday and refers to it as 'going to work'. She has made lifelong friends there and she is mad about the staff who look after her so well,” Rita said.

Rita and Dermot were forced to reorganise their day around Roseanne’s needs and while they are lucky to have a big back garden for walks and other physical exercises, Dermot’s record collection offers another escape.

“While these activities are great for her and a distraction for a short while, Roseanne has a short attention span, she is getting bored and really misses 'The Mon', her friends and carers, and keeps asking for them,” added Rita. “The staff from the Kerry Parents and Friends have been very supportive and keep in touch each week to see how we are coping for which we thank them sincerely and hope they are well and keeping safe.”

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Milltown plan to preserve history in community project 

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The Milltown History and Heritage Society has announced plans for an oral history archive for the community.

It is hoped that the collection and preservation of stories and folklore will be a valuable resource for future generations.

Oral history expert and historian Dr Tomás Mac Conmara will speak in Milltown in support of the launch.

Dr Mac Conmara, who is an award-winning oral historian, lecturer and author, will speak at the Muintir na Tíre Hall in Milltown at 8pm on Friday, October 24 and will introduce the fundamentals for the collection of oral history.

The presentation is free of charge and is supported by funding from the Creative Communities Grant Scheme 2025.

Attendees will be introduced to the practical skills required in interviewing, recording and documenting local heritage.

Stewart Stephans of the Milltown History and Heritage Society said they are excited to have Tomás to set them on the right path towards the development of the archive.

He said: “The collection and retention of oral history needs to be approached properly, drawing on the right advice and maintaining high standards, so we are pleased to be getting the input of such a renowned expert.” The event is open to anyone who would like to attend.

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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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