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Filling the last cavity in a remarkable career
Filling the last cavity in a remarkable career
Words
and photo by Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
After 38 years of caring for the smiles of Killarney, Dr Brendan Coffey is hanging up the drill.
There are some retirements that quietly slip by. And then there are retirements that leave an entire town smiling.
When I arrived at Killarney Dental Clinic at the Reeks Gateway to meet Dr Brendan Coffey ahead of his retirement, I had to wait a few minutes while he finished with a patient. As it happened, that patient was Johnny Healy which seemed quite fitting indeed.
While I waited, I found myself sitting by the large window overlooking the Cleeny Roundabout, arguably one of Killarney's finest people-watching spots.
Meanwhile, Brendan was finishing with the very man who helped start it all!
Back in May 1988, Brendan bought a small house on New Street from Paddy Doyle and transformed it into a dental surgery. The final coat of paint was applied on Thursday, May 12th. The following morning, Friday the 13th, unlucky for some, he opened the door and hoped for the best.
"I had no idea when my first patient would arrive," Brendan recalled. But he needn't have worried.
His neighbour, Johnny Healy from Healy's Shop on New St, walked through the door that morning and became the first patient of Killarney Dental Clinic. Almost four decades later, Johnny found himself back in the chair as one of Brendan's final patients before retirement, gifting Johnny a hamper of chocolate, which some might consider, a referral scheme for his son Jack.
Over the next 38 years, Brendan became a familiar face, a trusted voice and a calming presence for generations of families.
Children who once nervously sat in his chair returned years later with children of their own. The practice became woven into the very fabric of the community. And when speaking about his career, Brendan's gratitude shines through.
"The people of Killarney have been wonderful, loyal and friendly," he said. "It has been a privilege to treat them."
That gratitude also extends to the staff who helped create the welcoming atmosphere that became synonymous with Killarney Dental Clinic.
And no mention of the practice would be complete without acknowledging his wife Brenda, who spent many years as Practice Manager and played a pivotal role in helping make the clinic what it is today.
In 2022, the next chapter began when Brendan's son Jack, who followed his father into dentistry before specialising in Endodontics, and his wife Emma took over the running of the practice.
For Brendan, it was the best of both worlds.
He was able to continue seeing patients while stepping away from the pressures of running a business.
"It was hugely enjoyable," he said. And perhaps even more enjoyable was watching the next generation take the practice to new heights.
In 2024, Jack and Emma made the decision to relocate to the Reeks Gateway and create a state-of-the-art facility equipped with the latest technology and an exceptional team.
The move also brought something you don't often associate with a dental clinic. A full-sized Pac-Man arcade machine.
Proudly positioned in the waiting area, it has become a firm favourite among younger visitors and may well be the ultimate expression of fun before a dental appointment.
When I asked Anna Toomey, who has worked with the practice for over three years, what it has been like working alongside Dr Coffey, her answer summed up the atmosphere perfectly.
"Only last week, an adult patient came in and said she couldn't tell her children she was coming to the dentist because they'd be upset they couldn't come too."
Now that's not something you hear every day.
Most children dread a visit to the dentist.
The move to the Reeks wasn't without its moments of comedy.
Brendan admits he approached all the shiny new technology with a degree of caution.
"I was thinking I'd be in big trouble if I broke any of that fabulous new equipment," he laughed.
Old habits also die hard.
During the first week after the move, he accidentally arrived at the old surgery on New Street before realising everyone else had moved.
Meanwhile, the staff at the Reeks were wondering where he was.
Like all changes, it took a little getting used to.
But today, Brendan walks through the doors of the clinic with a huge sense of pride.
As we spoke, it was clear there were mixed emotions surrounding retirement.
There was sadness at leaving behind the people he has met every week for almost four decades.
But there was also deep satisfaction.
The satisfaction of knowing patients will continue to receive excellent care.
The satisfaction of seeing the practice thrive.
And the satisfaction of knowing that what started in a small house on New Street has grown into something truly special.
As our conversation drew to a close, Brendan paused for a moment and looked around the clinic.
There was pride in his eyes.
There was gratitude too.
Then he smiled.
"I think it's time."
Simple words.
Yet behind them lies 38 years of dedication, commitment, compassion and care.
Thousands of patients.
Countless friendships.
And a lifetime spent giving people reasons to smile.
So from everyone whose fears he eased, whose toothache he cured and whose life he touched along the way, thank you, Dr Brendan Coffey.
You have certainly left your mark on Killarney.
And before he goes, he leaves us with three final pieces of wisdom:
“Easy on the sweets.
Give up the fags.
And don't eat for two hours
Felicity’s Summer in Killarney
A weekly series from Killarney Advertiser’s Jess Jukes
They waited for a few minutes until there was no further movement from Auntie Sheila’s room. Jack unlocked the door before he disappeared to go and rummage in the downstairs bathroom. He came back victorious, with a mostly empty bottle of cat shampoo. It smelt slightly odd but they decided it would do.
They popped Socks into the sink and tried to wash him down, but were immediately met with resistance. He clawed at Felicity as she held him in the sink, and Jack gently tried to rub the shampoo into his coated fur.
It took them a long time and quite a few scratches, but they managed to return him to his regular coat of black, and his socks to a grey-er than usual white.
When she let Socks go, he turned and hissed at them before trotting off into the living room, no doubt to sleep on his favourite chair with Auntie Sheila’s nice blankets.
Felicity said goodnight to Jack and retreated to her room. She looked down at herself and sighed. She could do with a wash herself – she was completely covered in paint. She was creeping to the bathroom when Auntie Sheila’s bedroom door suddenly opened.
She took in the sight before her “What on Earth?” she muttered. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah,” Felicity said sheepishly. She was about to explain what had happened when Auntie Sheila cut her off.
“As long as you’re alright poppet, and you don’t think I need to know, then I don’t want to know.”
Felicity smiled, and Auntie Sheila’s nose wrinkled at the smell of what was probably the cat shampoo. “Gosh, please go shower.”
Felicity laughed quietly as her aunt closed the door.
Competition
The next morning, Felicity would have loved to lie in, but the universe had other plans. She jolted awake to the sound of loud banging. She peered out of her window and saw that Mr McCarthy was knocking harshly on the door of Mrs Flaherty’s house.
Felicity assumed she opened the door, because all she could hear was Mr McCarthy’s voice as he hollered and raved about the state of his prize roses. Felicity glanced across the street and sure enough, the rose bush that she had rescued Socks from the night before was in sorry shape. She could still see the tipped over paint can, which she now realised was the same colour as Mr McCarthy’s new garden wall. But the paint wasn’t only on the wall. Oh no. It was everywhere. The pavement, the grass, and the prize roses were all drenched in dark grey.
Felicity tuned back in to the ruckus outside Mrs Flaherty’s door in time to hear Mr McCarthy shout “I knew you were a conniving meddler June, but I never thought you’d go this far. The Hedgerow Place Association will hear about this, mark my words! Maybe even the Town Council!”
With that parting shot, Mr McCarthy stormed away, back towards his own house and ruined garden.
Felicity lunged for her phone and started texting Jack immediately.
“We might have caused some trouble …”
He got back to her within moments.
“What happened?”
Felicity filled him in on what she had witnessed. Jack said some very colourful things before he told her that he would be there as soon as possible. They both agreed they’d have to tell Mrs Flaherty about what really happened. It wasn’t fair that she had taken the brunt of Mr McCarthy’s ire when the situation wasn’t her fault.
Confessing
The pair approached Mrs Flaherty’s door and knocked. When she opened the door, Mrs Flaherty took one look at them and beckoned them inside.
Felicity had never been inside No.15 before, but it’s décor did not surprise her. They were ushed into the kitchen, where paisley wallpaper and the smell of brownies dominated the space. Mrs Flaherty gestured them towards the table whilst she took to making tea. “What sort of trouble brought ye to my door this morning?” she asked over her shoulder.
Felicity told her about the dilemma they had found Socks in when they returned back to Auntie Sheila’s yesterday. Mrs Flaherty listened quietly. “And I’m very sorry that he came to yell at you this morning, that wasn’t fair at all. Especially not when the whole situation was due to Socks.”
Mrs Flaherty said nothing for a moment before she planted their tea in front of them and took a seat herself. “It’s alright Felicity, better Rodney’s attention isn’t directed at that poor cat. He’s been through enough as it is, by the sounds of it.”
Felicity let out a sigh of relief. “Besides,” Mrs Flaherty said with a sly smile, “He’s not wrong, it does almost guarantee my tulips top place in the ‘Best Garden’ category of the competition.”
Felicity’s eyes widened and Jack let out a short laugh. “Now, you two skedaddle. I’ve got final preparations to do before the judges arrive.”
They did as she bid, returning to Auntie Sheila’s.
Later that day they read in the Killarney Advertiser that Mrs Flaherty’s tulips had indeed won ‘Best Garden’, and they only laughed to themselves quietly over dinner while Auntie Sheila shot them a look.
“Do you know what, there’s the Cork v Kerry match on next weekend, and it’s being held in Fitzgerald Stadium. We definitely need to go to that. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience!” Jack said as they finished clearing away their plates.
That night as Felicity laid in the room that had slowly transformed from a guestroom into her own bedroom throughout the summer, she thought about the upcoming match, the excitements she’d had, and the adventures still to come. Killarney was the place to be, and the town had secured itself inside her heart.
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