News
Family pay tribute to their brave little girl who lost battle with rare heart condition
TRIBUTE: Caroline and Michael Daly pictured with Lily Ellen and her big sister Sarah.
By Michelle Crean
A Ballyhar family, whose 20-month-old little girl lost her brave battle with a rare life-limiting heart condition have praised hospital staff for the care she received. Little Lily Ellen Daly from Lisheenacanna, Ballyhar was born with an aggressive Pulmonary Vein Stenosis (PVS) in June 2019.
Diagnosed at just eight weeks old, the brave little girl underwent open heart surgery at just 12 weeks old in Crumlin Children's Hospital. Just a month later she was admitted to palliative care but her parents Caroline (O'Shea) and Michael Daly, vowed to do everything possible to help her. However, as Crumlin had never performed a sutureless repair operation as her condition was so rare her parents decided to go to New York to seek help.
"She was a very happy little girl," her mom Caroline, who is currently on leave from her accountancy job at Prima Finance Killarney, told the Killarney Advertiser.
"She loved her family and her sister. For everything she went through she was very content, you wouldn't think there was anything wrong with her. We got an extra 15 months with her. The surgery in New York was a final option for Lily and sadly it was not successful. Crumlin went above and beyond but they had never done anything like that before for her condition. It was just that the condition was life-limiting."
Sadly, Lily Ellen passed away peacefully on February 26 in the arms of her loving parents in the Intensive Care Unit of Crumlin Children's Hospital.
Following Mass of the Angels in St Gertrude's Church, Firies, Lily Ellen was laid to rest in new Kilnanare Cemetery.
Caroline added that they became part of the Crumlin heart family saying the staff went above and beyond in their care for Lily Ellen.
"It meant so much to us."
At last week's Killarney Municipal online meeting Mayor Brendan Cronin offered his sympathy to the Daly family as Michael works as an engineer with Kerry County Council.
“On a sad note, the local authority extends sympathy to Michael Daly of Ballyhar. He lost baby Lily Ellen Daly during the week. It is an awful tragedy. Michael is a well-known and respected member of Kerry County Council staff.”
The family have asked for donations to be made to The Heart Centre in Crumlin Children’s Hospital www.heartchildren.ie.
News
Kathleen honoured as new boat is launched
It was a very special and momentous day for Muckross Rowing Club on Sunday – as not only did they launch a new boat – but did so to honour a life-long supporter. Members and supporters gathered at the club’s boathouse as the club’s newest racing boat, a Janousek coxed four, was officially launched in […]
It was a very special and momentous day for Muckross Rowing Club on Sunday – as not only did they launch a new boat – but did so to honour a life-long supporter.
Members and supporters gathered at the club’s boathouse as the club’s newest racing boat, a Janousek coxed four, was officially launched in honour of Kathleen Murphy. The event was made all the more special as it had been so long awaited by the club. While the boat was purchased prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a launch event at the club was not possible until the recent easing of public health restrictions.
Among the crowd gathered were members of the extended Murphy and Kenny families as well as many of Kathleen’s neighbours and friends from Mangerton Road and beyond.
Kathleen (nee Kenny) was born and raised in Muckross and has enjoyed close family ties with the rowing club from childhood to the present day. The Kennys of Muckross and their extended family have long played a central role in the club extending to over a century, reflected in the names of boats named and launched before in honour of other family members including Micheal Kenny and Jack O’Shea. Kathleen has long been among the most prominent and recognised club’s supporters at the annual Killarney Regatta, proudly sporting the club’s yellow colours while cheering on crews at all levels from Juvenile to Senior and Veteran. Together with her late husband Jerry, Kathleen has also played a central role in fundraising for the club with countless tickets sold weekly for the local Muckross Lottery since its launch in early 1990s. Both Kathleen and Jerry were previously recognised for their contribution to the club and both named as Vice Presidents. Kathleen and Jerry’s children and grandchildren continue the family tradition both on the lake and onshore, contributing to the club’s success and development as active rowers, coaches and committee members.
Presiding over the launch was Club Chairman Sean Daly and the blessing of the boat was carried out by Fr Kieran O’Brien.
The club was also delighted to welcome Emer Corridan, General Manager of the Cahernane House Hotel – whose sponsorship of the club supported the boat’s purchase.
The ceremonial popping of the champagne cork was carried out by Kathleen’s granddaughter Áine, and after a sprinkling of the bow, the boat was formally launched on the water by five of Kathleen’s grandchildren – Áine and Shona O’Sullivan, Daniel, Jack and Katie Murphy. The special launch event was an emotional day for the family and club with many memories of Kathleen’s late husband Jerry, whose anniversary was recently observed, in addition to family members gone before. Speaking on behalf of Kathleen, her son Kieran spoke of the great honour for Kathleen and her family to have one of the club’s racing boats named in her honour. Kieran expressed the family’s gratitude to the club, its committee and Chairman Sean Daly, President Maurice Coffey and Vice Presidents and to all the members, supporters and friends in attendance. The ceremonial proceedings were followed by refreshments outside the club’s new boathouse.
News
Stylish Miriam wows at the races
When it comes to the style stakes, one local lady proved she’s got it after winning the female Most Stylish Racegoer this week. Miriam Prendergast from Killarney was selected by fashion blogger and judge Emily O’Donoghue aka @fashionablyfortyish on Sunday, the opening day of the Listowel Harvest Racing Festival. Benny O’Keeffe from County Meath was […]
When it comes to the style stakes, one local lady proved she’s got it after winning the female Most Stylish Racegoer this week.
Miriam Prendergast from Killarney was selected by fashion blogger and judge Emily O’Donoghue aka @fashionablyfortyish on Sunday, the opening day of the Listowel Harvest Racing Festival.
Benny O’Keeffe from County Meath was also selected for his style and both winners each received a €400 cash prize, sponsored by McElligotts Tralee and Honda Ireland.
Miriam wore a black bustier wide legged jumpsuit with belt, styled with a very feminine one sleeve off white blouse with ruched details. She both designed and made the outfit herself and paired it with a headpiece she borrowed from a friend who got it in MacBees Killarney. She finished her look with a pretty vintage bag.
Benny wore a sky blue suit he purchased in Burtons, paired with a merl grey waistcoat, set off with a soft pink shirt cleverly coordinated with a pink and grey check tie. He purchased his very dapper hat in the Ukraine.
The runners-up in the ladies category each received a generous hamper from McElligotts Tralee with special thanks to McGuires Pharmacy Listowel. The runners-up in the gents category received tickets to the Sunday of the June Bank Holiday race meeting in Listowel in 2022.
Of course, there is more to come in the style stakes with one of Ireland’s most prestigious best dressed events – the McElligotts Honda Ladies Day – making a most welcome return this year to the racecourse today (Friday), judged by style icon Celia Holman Lee, it has an overall cash prize fund of €1,000 and the winner will also receive the most amazing beauty hamper sponsored by McGuire’s Pharmacy.
Kathleen honoured as new boat is launched
It was a very special and momentous day for Muckross Rowing Club on Sunday – as not only did they...
Stylish Miriam wows at the races
When it comes to the style stakes, one local lady proved she’s got it after winning the female Most Stylish...
Killarney drivers join supercar Cannonball event
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Tobin hails Spa teammates following ‘fairytale’ final
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