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Great sadness at the passing of popular Dan McSweeney

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By Sean Moriarty

 

Tributes have been paid to Pinewood man Dan McSweeney who died this week.

Dan was a popular member of staff at MD O’Shea and Sons Builder Merchants, an active member of Killarney and District Motor Club and an ardent Kerry GAA fan.

He worked in the tool department of the well-known hardware store on the Park Road and was well respected for his knowledge of power tools.

“He had a great technical knowledge, anything that had an engine or a motor, Dan had a great understanding,” said Paul O’Shea of the family firm. “We had great days working alongside him and he will missed greatly. He was best-known for working in the tool department but we could ask him to work in any section of the business and he was always willing to help.”

He was a long-time member of Killarney and District Motor Club and won the club’s ‘Person of the Year’ award in 2008. He also won the Rally of the Lakes Silver Wheel Award in 2014, a coveted award presented to people who go above and beyond the call of duty on behalf of the county’s biggest motorsport event.

He was best known for marshalling on Moll’s Gap but held several other roles including radio operator and deputy stage commander on the famous stage. Outside of the rally he acted as clerk of the course for the club’s Autocross and Autotest events.

“Every event the club sent marshals to, you can be sure Dan was there,” said neighbour and fellow KDMC member Johnny Hickey. “He did it purely for the love of it and for the social side of it all.”

He was also a dedicated volunteer on big events like the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle and Darkness into Light charity walk.

Dan was a staunch GAA follower too and travelled the length of Ireland following the county team – even in the leaner years and to less-important league games in all corners of the country.

Reposing at O'Shea's Funeral Home, Cathedral Place, Killarney today (Friday) evening from 6pm to 8pm. Removal at 8pm to St Mary's Cathedral, Killarney. Requiem Mass takes place tomorrow (Saturday) at 12 noon, followed by cremation at the Island crematorium, Cork. No flowers by request, donations if desired to the Stephan Lyne Foundation.

 

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New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

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A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.

Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.

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