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Cute Christmas crafts go on sale for hospice

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3 years ago

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CRAFTY LADIES: Killarney Crafty Ladies can be found selling their revamped pre-loved bears for Kerry Hospice at the Killarney Outlet Centre over the next few weeks. From l-r were: Eilish O'Sullivan Bríd O'Donoghue and Peg Coffey. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

By Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Crafting away at the International Hotel, Killarney Crafty Ladies were spotted creating a new batch of bears in aid of Kerry Hospice.

CRAFTY LADIES: Killarney Crafty Ladies can be found selling their revamped pre-loved bears for Kerry Hospice at the Killarney Outlet Centre over the next few weeks. From l-r were: Eilish O'Sullivan Bríd O'Donoghue and Peg Coffey. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

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Established in 2013 by Margaret McCarthy, the group have raised over €23,000 to date.

Two of the crafty ladies, Kate O’Connor and Betty Benson, boarded the train to Dublin to attend a stitch and knitting show, there they casually met with Peg Coffey and Margaret McCarthy - and Killarney Crafty Ladies was born!

Since then, the ladies meet up once a month - excluding the summer months. They have travelled to different charity shops nationwide to carefully select their adopted Killarney bears, giving these pre-loved bears a complete makeover into unique Christmas gifts, ready to take up residence in their homes this festive season.

Organiser, Margaret McCarthy, Countess Road, who is missing from the photo and hence taking up residence in the International Hotel, is usually host of these monthly meetings and chose the Kerry Hospice as a sole beneficiary, having lost her husband Oliver to cancer in 2011.

Ranging in price from €5 - €70, the Killarney Crafty Ladies can be found selling their creatively revamped pre-loved bears, at the Killarney Outlet Centre on the three Saturdays coming up to Christmas - tomorrow (Saturday), and December 3 and 10.

You can also support the Kerry Hospice this Christmas by popping by the Brícín Restaurant and picking up a bear of your choice at their shop between 10am - 6pm.

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Killarney welcomes home Kevin ‘The Kingdom Warrior’ Cronin

Boxer Kevin ‘The Kingdom Warrior’ Cronin received a warm homecoming in Jimmy O’Brien’s Bar on College Street on Sunday evening following his victory in Dublin last weekend, where he was […]

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1 hour ago

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18 October 2025

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Boxer Kevin ‘The Kingdom Warrior’ Cronin received a warm homecoming in Jimmy O’Brien’s Bar on College Street on Sunday evening following his victory in Dublin last weekend, where he was crowned Irish Light Heavyweight Champion.

Mayor of Killarney Cllr Martin Grady was on hand to officially welcome the new champion home, congratulating him on what he described as “a proud moment for Killarney and for Kerry sport.”
Cronin, who is sponsored by Jimmy O’Brien’s Bar, claimed the vacant national title after a hard-fought ten-round battle against Cork’s Cathal Crowley at the National Stadium, Dublin, on Friday night last.
The Kerry fighter won by majority decision, with the judges scoring the contest 95-94, 97-93 and 95-95. The result capped off years of dedication and hard work for Cronin, who now holds an 11-3-1 professional record.
Speaking at the homecoming, Cronin thanked his supporters and sponsors for their backing throughout his career.
“It’s unbelievable to bring this title to Kerry,” he said. “The support from home means everything. This one’s for everyone who’s been with me from the start.”
Crowds packed into Jimmy O’Brien’s Bar to celebrate the achievement, with music, photos and plenty of local pride on display.

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Concerns over future of St Mary of the Angels

Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for […]

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20 hours ago

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17 October 2025

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Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for children and adults with profound disabilities and special needs.

The campus, set on lands generously donated by the Doyle family, offers 30 acres of grounds, existing buildings, and services, making it a valuable asset for the provision of respite care in Kerry. TD Michael Cahill emphasized that the Doyle family’s wishes should be respected, and that the grounds should be made accessible immediately.
“The special needs community in Kerry has a major respite crisis and families don’t have time to wait. Families need help — they are not asking for full-time residential care but respite care, a break, a helping hand,” Deputy Cahill said.
He added that a bespoke approach is needed to meet the individual needs of children attending St Francis Special School. “Many of the children in the county with profound needs need a safe haven where they can roam the grounds freely, and St Mary of the Angels offers this.”
Deputy Cahill has accompanied several Ministers to the Beaufort campus to highlight its value to Disability Health Service providers. A working group has been formed including St John of Gods, the HSE, representatives of residents at St Mary of the Angels, and St Francis Special School, to explore options for maintaining and expanding respite services.
“Parents are worn out and at the end of their tether. This needs to be dealt with expeditiously, in an environment of cooperation between the relevant Government Departments of Health, Disability, and Education. We need to get this across the line urgently and put it permanently in place,” he said.
Deputy Cahill pointed to the current shortfall of respite services in Kerry. “As of now, Cunamh Iveragh respite in Cahersiveen is only open Friday to Sunday, running at half capacity — two adults per night instead of four. The issue is staffing, and the HSE will not release funding to open full-time. The Beaufort campus is available and should be utilised as parents are crying out for overnight respite. Cooperation and compassion could see this done quickly.”
TD Danny Healy Rae echoed these concerns during a Dáil speech this week. “We are still short of respite beds on the southern side of the constituency. Families caring for people with disabilities just want a break, but there is nowhere available locally. Places are being offered only in Tipperary or Meath for those needing new residential care. It makes no sense. St Mary of the Angels in Beaufort has 40 or 50 acres of grounds that could be expanded, with facilities already in place such as swimming pools. It could be developed as a model for the rest of the country.”
Both TDs are urging the Government and the HSE to take immediate action to utilise the Beaufort campus for respite care, in line with the intentions of the Doyle family and the needs of Kerry families.

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