News
HSE reacts to Killarney healthcare facilities plans
Following recent inquiries about the future of HSE properties by the Killarney Advertiser, the HSE South West has provided an update on several projects aimed at developing and improving healthcare services in the area.
Killarney Primary Care Centre
"We are acutely aware of the huge need for a primary care facility in Killarney," stated a HSE official.
The recently approved planning application for a facility on the grounds of the Áras Phádraig site, a joint venture with Kerry County Council, is expected to take up to three years to complete.
Killarney Injury Unit
The HSE also confirmed plans for a Killarney Injury Unit at St. Columbanus, the current location of Killarney Community Hospital.
Once the new Killarney Community Nursing Unit at the old St. Finan's Hospital site is finished, residents and staff will transfer, allowing development of the Injury Unit to proceed.
"We hope to have this much-needed facility ready within a short time frame," the official said, indicating a matter of months.
Killarney Community Nursing Unit
The Killarney Community Nursing Unit project, part of a Public Private Partnership (PPP), is facing delays.
The HSE is working with the contractor to confirm a revised completion date. "The initial project timeline had projected that commissioning of the building could begin in Q1 2025, but as construction is still underway this timeline has been revised," the official explained.
While an exact timeframe for the move remains uncertain, the HSE aims to relocate residents to the new 130-bed unit as soon as possible this year. A more detailed timeline will be shared once the building is ready for registration with HIQA.
Lands at the Former St. Finan's Campus
"The former Saint Finan’s is currently being reviewed by the Land Development Agency as to its potential future use," the official added.
Councillor Queries
At Wednesday's Killarney Municipal District meeting, Cllr John O'Donoghue inquired about the location of the proposed minor injuries clinic, reiterating his belief that it should be located at the soon-to-be-vacated District Hospital.
Cllr Maura Healy-Rae requested a meeting with the HSE to discuss concerns regarding various HSE properties in the district, including St. Finan's, the District Hospital, and St. Columbanus Home.
Gneeveguilla apprentice wins national stonemasonry title
Darragh O’Sullivan from Gneeveguilla won the overall prize in the Architectural Stonemasonry category at the WorldSkills Ireland competition held recently at the RDS in Dublin.
An apprentice stonecutter and stonemason with the Office of Public Works (OPW) based in Mallow, O’Sullivan secured gold for his technical accuracy and craftsmanship during the three-day event.
The state agency relies on traditional trade skills to manage, conserve, and restore national monuments, public buildings, and heritage sites across the country.
O’Sullivan’s success reflects the training provided by his OPW mentors and team, highlighting the importance of apprentice development in preserving traditional heritage crafts for future generations.
Picture Caption: CRAFT CHAMPION: Tom Little (Kerry ETB), Terri Sweeney Meade (OPW), category winner Darragh O’Sullivan (OPW), and Donal Keys (WorldSkills Ireland) at the RDS in Dublin.
Jessica Cronin donates hair for children’s charity
Ten-year-old Killarney resident Jessica Cronin is set to cut and donate 12 inches of her hair to support young cancer patients, alongside a fundraising campaign for LauraLynn Children’s Hospice.
The hair donation will go directly to the Little Princess Trust, a charity providing real hair wigs free of charge to children and young people who have lost their own hair through medical treatment.
Alongside her hair donation, Jessica is collecting financial contributions for LauraLynn through the Locks of Love campaign.
“I want to help somebody that doesn’t have something that I have, hair,” Jessica said.
Her family expressed their pride in her decision to support both organisations.
“We are all so proud of her,” her mother, Grace O’Shea-Cronin, said. “Any donation, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated.”
Donations to support Jessica’s fundraiser can be made online at
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