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Ian’s shock as he’s presented with new wheelchair-adapted car

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By Michelle Crean

 

Local teenager Ian O'Connell said this week that he "nearly stood up with the surprise" after being presented with a brand new wheelchair-adapted car on Friday night last.

The teenager, who turned 19 on Friday August 14, was invited to take part in the weekly Share the Pot draw in Spa GAA with the promise of a BBQ afterwards.

However, what happened next he never saw coming. The national GAA Golf Challenge presented Ian and his family, mom Nora and dad Mike with the 202 Ford Tourneo Connect. The evening was organised by Liam Daniels, Derek McGrath, Mickey Morrissey, Sean Raher with car sponsors Jerry and Michael Lyng from Lyng Motors Kilkenny.

"I went up and I did the Spa lotto," Ian told the Killarney Advertiser.

"And 20 minutes later Conor Gleeson said we'd go and look at the pitch. Everyone was outside and my dad and mom were in the car. Dad was beeping the horn and every one was clapping. I got an awful land and nearly stood up with the fright!"

Ian was the recipient of a wheelchair vehicle in 2018 when he was nominated as one of the beneficiaries of the KN Group All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge. The following year, he remained involved when he was asked to be an ambassador for the event.

On Wednesday, he said he had a lovely comfortable drive to a hospital appointment in Dublin, and wants to say a huge thank you to everyone who made it happen.

"A massive thank you to everyone involved especially to Michael Lyng Motors and everyone involved in the All-Ireland Golf Challenge committee. There are no words to describe how grateful I am. And thanks to Spa GAA for making my birthday that more special.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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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