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Invited to a wedding without a plus one?

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THE thud when that fat, glossy wedding invitation lands on your doormat will fill you with either dread or delight. You open it and – yup – the bride or groom has failed to include the all-important “and guest” on the allotted line.

For those who face being asked solo to these glittering affairs, the fact that the summer wedding season has drawn to a close will elicit a sigh of relief that would blow that bridal bouquet from here to Sneem.

Several years ago friends and I would swap horror stories of being invited as a lone ranger to these do’s. “Ah but the bride is only thinking of her numbers when she asked you on your own,” was one justification from a well-meaning but misguided would-be peacemaker.

We were circled at the time around a very upset pal who summed it up when she snapped back, in tears: “Feck her and feck her numbers!” Diplomacy worthy of Kofi Annan was deployed in this instance to ensure my friend could bring a plus one.

But what kind of ego does it take to feel your guest will have a good time and be comfortable asked to make smalltalk with strangers on either side of the table? She or he is in effect the odd one out at a table of four or five couples.

Or better again, what about being seated at the kiddie table as a kind of freelance, freewheeling nanny? A nanny who is paying dearly for the privilege in terms of time and effort as she vainly protects her fascinator from spills?

No matter what anyone says, unless you have been consulted as to whether you would prefer to attend on your own, it feels like a massive slap in the face to be invited to a wedding without a plus one.

People who have been on the receiving end of this faux pas tend to have a sixth sense when it comes to looking out for one another. The above tearful friend would motor to my own rescue later that same year as I attended a wedding solo. Well before the clock struck midnight, she happened to be driving by the venue and texted asking if I fancied a means of escape. High heels or no high heels, I couldn’t clamber into that getaway car fast enough.

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Network Ireland Kerry discuss sustainable success

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Network Ireland Kerry held their third annual collaboration event last Wednesday at the Rose Hotel, Tralee. The theme was: “The Journey to Sustainable Success” which brought three industry experts together to talk about their own journey to sustainable successful.

Business professionals, entrepreneurs, and financial leaders came together for this highly anticipated event to learn about the journey from becoming a start-up, to a small-to-medium enterprise (SME), and a large SME.

The event was opened by AIB Branch Liaison for Network Ireland Kerry and AIB Castleisland Branch Manager, Colleen Shannon. It was MC’d by AIB Tralee Branch Manager, Stephen Stack.

Sarah Farrar of AINMHÌ, Garrett Dillon of Mr. Binman and Dillon Waste Ltd. and Susan Quirke-Crowley of Mounthawk Montessori School Group were among the speakers at the event.

These leaders spoke about their challenges, milestones, and breakthroughs they encountered, from launching an idea to scaling operations nationally.

Tara Elzingre of Tara Elzingre Consultancy, Zaneta Labuz-Czerwein of Rustic Boowa and Sharon Hartnett of U Coaching promoted their businesses for ‘Minute on the Mic’

Emily Reen, Network Ireland Kerry President, described the event as a testament to the power of partnership. She said: “The event underscored a powerful message: sustainable business success is not a solo journey. With the right partnerships, teams and financial tools, businesses of all sizes can grow with purpose, resilience, and long-term impact.”

Network Ireland Kerry will host their next monthly event on November 12 in Killarney and in collaboration with the Kerry Local Enterprise Office, titled: “Gain Competitive Advantage in Your Business”. This event will be MC’d by Karen Ronan, 2025 National Vice President of Network Ireland and CEO of Galway Chamber. This event is open to non-members and members, and everyone is welcome from 6 pm for networking and refreshments, with the event taking place from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

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Minor injury clinic to open by this time next year

The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home. […]

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The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home.

The timeline was confirmed in response to a Parliamentary Question from Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill, who said the project will follow the relocation of the Community Nursing Unit from its current site to the grounds of the old St Finan’s Hospital. Once the transfer is complete, construction of the injury clinic can proceed.
Deputy Cahill described the two new health facilities as “a fantastic addition for Killarney and the wider East, Mid, and South Kerry regions” and noted they will help reduce waiting times at University Hospital Kerry A&E.
“I will continue to push for enhanced health services for our people,” added the Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Older People.
The new clinic is expected to provide urgent care services for local residents, easing pressure on hospital emergency departments and improving access to timely treatment in the Killarney area.

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