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Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections
Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.
Máirín Hughes met President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina at Áras an Uachtaráin this week
Máirín Hughes met President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina at Áras an Uachtaráin this week
Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.
The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.
Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.
Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.
She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.
“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”
In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.
In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.
last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History - Irish Life and Lore’.
During the broadcast she talked about her parents' membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.
This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.
Paralympic legend to headline Chamber winter schedule
Six-time Paralympic gold medallist Jason Smyth will head to Killarney next month as part of an ambitious winter events schedule announced by the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce.
The legendary sprinter will take centre stage for ‘An Evening with Paralympian Jason Smyth’ on Wednesday, October 7 at The Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa. The complimentary discussion event, sponsored by AIB, promises an inspiring insight into the career of one of Ireland’s greatest-ever sporting figures.
The high-profile appearance forms part of a busy lineup of upcoming gatherings designed to connect local businesses and residents across the town.
The schedule kicks off on Wednesday, September 30 with a Chamber Luncheon at the Killarney Heights Hotel, offering members a key networking opportunity ahead of the autumn season.
Chamber leadership highlighted that the autumn and winter series continues the organisation’s core mission of bringing the local community together and showcasing Killarney as an outstanding place to live, work, and belong.
Retailers and shop staff across Killarney joined forces this week as part of the nationwide ‘#CutPRSIKeepJobs’ campaign, calling on the Government to reduce employers’ PRSI contributions in Budget 2027 to protect local employment.
Organised by Retail Excellence Ireland (REI), the campaign saw shop owners and employees stand together to highlight the severe financial pressures facing town centre businesses.
The industry body is urging the Government to introduce an employer PRSI band of 8% on the first €36,000 of every wage, zero employer PRSI for workers under 25, and a review of the methodology used to calculate the living wage.
The push comes amid growing concern over rising operational expenses, with new figures showing a loss of 10,800 retail jobs nationally over the past year and a 35% surge in retail insolvencies in the first half of 2026 alone.
Jean McCabe, Chief Executive Officer of Retail Excellence Ireland, warned that mounting wage costs are placing unprecedented strain on independent traders across Kerry.
“The retail industry has been under the most intense pressure from a range of cost pressures in recent times – and wage costs are the primary issue,” Ms McCabe said. “The industry is now seeing a rapid increase in insolvencies because of these pressures, so Government must now act unless it wants to see more businesses fail. Retailers standing together today shows just how widely this is being felt, in towns right across the country.”
Ms McCabe added that incoming PRSI rate increases scheduled for October 1 will deliver another major blow to small and medium enterprises unless urgent intervention is taken in the upcoming budget.
“We’re asking every TD, in every constituency, to back this ask,” Ms McCabe added. “And we’re asking Tánaiste Simon Harris, as Minister for Finance, to introduce it directly in Budget 2027. It’s costed, it’s modest, and it keeps jobs in local communities.”
Retailers join national campaign to cut PRSI and safeguard local jobs
Retailers and shop staff across Killarney joined forces this week as part of the nationwide ‘#CutPRSIKeepJobs’ campaign, calling on the Government to reduce employers’ PRSI contributions in Budget 2027 to protect local employment.
Organised by Retail Excellence Ireland (REI), the campaign saw shop owners and employees stand together to highlight the severe financial pressures facing town centre businesses.
The industry body is urging the Government to introduce an employer PRSI band of 8% on the first €36,000 of every wage, zero employer PRSI for workers under 25, and a review of the methodology used to calculate the living wage.
The push comes amid growing concern over rising operational expenses, with new figures showing a loss of 10,800 retail jobs nationally over the past year and a 35% surge in retail insolvencies in the first half of 2026 alone.
Jean McCabe, Chief Executive Officer of Retail Excellence Ireland, warned that mounting wage costs are placing unprecedented strain on independent traders across Kerry.
“The retail industry has been under the most intense pressure from a range of cost pressures in recent times – and wage costs are the primary issue,” Ms McCabe said. “The industry is now seeing a rapid increase in insolvencies because of these pressures, so Government must now act unless it wants to see more businesses fail. Retailers standing together today shows just how widely this is being felt, in towns right across the country.”
Ms McCabe added that incoming PRSI rate increases scheduled for October 1 will deliver another major blow to small and medium enterprises unless urgent intervention is taken in the upcoming budget.
“We’re asking every TD, in every constituency, to back this ask,” Ms McCabe added. “And we’re asking Tánaiste Simon Harris, as Minister for Finance, to introduce it directly in Budget 2027. It’s costed, it’s modest, and it keeps jobs in local communities.”
Retailers and shop staff across Killarney joined forces this week as part of the nationwide ‘#CutPRSIKeepJobs’ campaign, calling on the Government to reduce employers’ PRSI contributions in Budget 2027 to protect local employment.
Organised by Retail Excellence Ireland (REI), the campaign saw shop owners and employees stand together to highlight the severe financial pressures facing town centre businesses.
The industry body is urging the Government to introduce an employer PRSI band of 8% on the first €36,000 of every wage, zero employer PRSI for workers under 25, and a review of the methodology used to calculate the living wage.
The push comes amid growing concern over rising operational expenses, with new figures showing a loss of 10,800 retail jobs nationally over the past year and a 35% surge in retail insolvencies in the first half of 2026 alone.
Jean McCabe, Chief Executive Officer of Retail Excellence Ireland, warned that mounting wage costs are placing unprecedented strain on independent traders across Kerry.
“The retail industry has been under the most intense pressure from a range of cost pressures in recent times – and wage costs are the primary issue,” Ms McCabe said. “The industry is now seeing a rapid increase in insolvencies because of these pressures, so Government must now act unless it wants to see more businesses fail. Retailers standing together today shows just how widely this is being felt, in towns right across the country.”
Ms McCabe added that incoming PRSI rate increases scheduled for October 1 will deliver another major blow to small and medium enterprises unless urgent intervention is taken in the upcoming budget.
“We’re asking every TD, in every constituency, to back this ask,” Ms McCabe added. “And we’re asking Tánaiste Simon Harris, as Minister for Finance, to introduce it directly in Budget 2027. It’s costed, it’s modest, and it keeps jobs in local communities.”
Paralympic legend to headline Chamber winter schedule
Paralympic legend to headline Chamber winter schedule Six-time Paralympic gold medallist Jason Smyth will head to Killarney next month as...
Retailers join national campaign to cut PRSI and safeguard local jobs
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