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Heart-broken family urge public to get vaccinated

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By Michelle Crean

Family members of the late Paul Doyle who died from COVID-19 say they are still trying to process the sudden loss and are urging the public to get vaccinated.

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Paul (49) grew up in St Brendan's Terrace Killarney before settling in Killorglin with his wife Audrey and six children. Paul played underage for Legion and continued to support them throughout his life. He also followed Killarney Legion closely and was a big Wolves fan.

In August he contracted the virus and after seven weeks and a day in an induced coma, lost his hard fought battle and passed away surrounded by his heart-broken family.

Paul, who was "absolutely terrified to get the vaccine" had underlying health conditions and was undecided whether to get vaccinated or not. And although as a family they booked their vaccine appointments, they contracted COVID before they could get them done.

“It’s horrendous trying to comprehend it," his sister Louise from Muckross told the Killarney Advertiser.
“We are absolutely shocked. At the age of 49 you just don't think this will happen.”

With cases currently high in Kerry, she is encouraging anyone who has concerns or who is hesitating about taking the vaccine to talk to their doctor, especially those with underlying conditions.

As the grandfather of one was taken from his home to the ICU in University Hospital Kerry, his last words were “I don’t care what they do to me I just want to get better,” she tearfully added.

They remained hopeful that he’d make a recovery however he never regained consciousness and passed away due to respiratory failure.

“They were reducing the sedation and a day later they said that things didn’t look good. There was no goodbye.”

Paul loved his home town of Killarney so much that his family decided to lay him to rest in Aghadoe Lawn Cemetery.

Friend of the family, Ciara Cronin, set up a GoFundMe page: 'Paul Doyle's family', to help with funeral costs.

TESTING

This week the HSE set up a new mobile test centre in Killarney due to the "exceptionally high demand" for COVID tests in recent days. It's operating from 10am to 6pm at Coolgrane Training Centre, Upper Lewis Road, Ballydribbeen (Eircode V93FX01). The HSE confirmed to the Killarney Advertiser that it will remain open by appointment only until this coming Monday.

The HSE South said there is "a high level of community spread in the county at the moment" and that they are monitoring the increase.

"We’re seeing this increase in all age-groups, and in many areas – particularly urban areas," Acting Director of Public Health for Cork and Kerry, Anne Sheahan, said.

"As always, we continue to investigate clusters and outbreaks and we have not linked this increase back to any particular location or type of event. We are seeing cases in workplaces; but also as a result of social gatherings such as First Communions, Confirmations, weddings and others; and as a result of funerals. We have also noted a small number of cases in residential care settings. For that reason, I appeal to people who are not yet vaccinated to make sure they get their vaccine as soon as possible. You can register for your vaccine online on hse.ie, or you can attend a walk-in vaccination clinic to receive Dose 1 or Dose 2 of a vaccine."

She added that over the last few weeks, the HSE have been rolling out a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine for residents aged over 65 in long-term residential care. "This campaign will be completed next week."

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Proinsias says farewell to Gaelscoil after 33 years

By Michelle Crean For over three decades one face has been constant at Gaelscoil Faithleann but today (Friday) it all changes as the school’s first and only Principal to date […]

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By Michelle Crean

For over three decades one face has been constant at Gaelscoil Faithleann but today (Friday) it all changes as the school’s first and only Principal to date says a fond farewell.

It’s a day full of mixed emotions for Proinsias Mac Curtain who was appointed the school’s Principal on September 1, 1989.

Today, the school’s 245 children and staff will host a number of events at the school for him which are sure to stir a few emotions.

It follows a special Mass on Innisfallen Island on Saturday morning as 150 children, staff members, parents council and Board of Management members boarded a boat for the occasion. And the location was apt as the school is called after the island, Proinsias explained to the Killarney Advertiser.

“It was lovely, it was meaningful as the school is called after Innisfallen Island. I’ve been blessed with the school community down through the years. It was a pleasure to work with school staff and parents, Boards of Management – but the most important is the children. I’m proud of them and their achievements. They are great children and I’ll miss them.”

He said the school will be in great hands as Lisa Ni Iarlaithe, who has been at the school since 1991, takes over as Principal.

He also praised the hardworking staff.

“I’ll miss it but I’m comfortable to step back as the school is in excellent hands.”

Proinsias is originally from Tournafulla Co Limerick. He began his career as a teacher in Scoil Iognáid in the centre of Galway city, the largest Gaelscoil in the country at the time.

Shortly before he died his father Jerry, who loved to holiday for a few days a year in Killarney, had heard of a new school opening here and phoned Proinsias to tell him. The rest they say is history.

He says his love of Irish language was inspired by Tournafulla Primary School Principal Liam O Loineacháin and in St Ita’s College Abbeyfeale by Jim Tierney and the late Johnny Nelligan.

And although three decades is a long time, Proinsias says it flew by and that he has seen many changes over the years. The first is seeing the children of former pupils coming to school. The second is the advancement of technology – some good and some not so good!

“The biggest change was the growth of technology, the changeover to the whiteboard and the use of devices which makes it challenging for parents. It’s wonderful you can access so much, but there are advantages and disadvantages.”

He added a huge thanks to his wife Karen who supported him down through the years when he was out late at meetings, adding that she was “very patient”.

He also thanked Sean O Luanaigh.

“He has been my chairperson since the start and has been such a tremendous support, help and guidance down through the years.”

In retirement he plans to spend more time with his family including his three children Ruadhán, Meadhbh and Cormac.

He also plans to get more involved in Beaufort Tidy Towns as well as the Annals of Innisfallen project.

“It’s always been an interest of mine. I also plan to relax for a few weeks, make more time for family, and I look forward to playing more trad music, bee keeping, gardening and travel.”

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Start clocking up those ‘Kingdom Kilometres’

With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways. The recently opened […]

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With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways.

The recently opened Kingdom of Kerry Greenways between Tralee and Fenit and between Listowel and Abbeyfeale are already proving hugely popular with locals and visitors to Kerry.

Representatives of the tourism Industry, local public representatives, travel writers and influencers gathered in Kerry on Monday to experience the exciting new tourist attractions and welcome the arrival of the longer daylight hours as the clocks changed over to summertime.

Sarah Hanrahan, a social media influencer who posts about Irish travel and has more than 100,000 Instagram followers, described the experience.

“Ireland has some of the most amazing outdoor spaces. For a lot of my followers and other people, connecting with green spaces has become much more important to their overall sense of well-being as well as their health and fitness. It’s been really gorgeous to experience the Tralee to Fenit, and Listowel to Limerick Kingdom of Kerry Greenways; a fantastic trip sampling the warm hospitality of Kerry and a great reminder of the active holiday options that are right on our doorstep.”

The new purpose-built trails provide an accessible and inclusive experience for visitors of all abilities.

Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy and the Mayor of Listowel, Cllr Aoife Thornton, said that the greenways offer an exceptional recreational amenity for everyone to enjoy.

“The greenways are situated in some of Kerry’s most scenic landscapes and offer spectacular and safe off-road facilities for people of all ages to enjoy as the landscape comes into bloom. They also offer warm hospitality at the trail head towns of each route.”

Visit www.kerrygreenways.ie to find out more.

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