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“It’s life-changing for Joe”

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Killarney mother urges public to think organ donation after son’s life-changing kidney transplant

By Michelle Crean

A young Killarney man with Down Syndrome has had a new lease of life thanks to the gift of kidney last month.

21 year-old Joe Buckley from Faha, son of Noreen and Jack, the former President of Killarney Golf Club, suffered ill health and had to undergo regular kidney dialysis. However, thanks to the kindness of one family, who made the difficult decision to donate a loved one’s kidney, Joe is now back to full health and ready to get back to his regular activities.

Now his mother is speaking out ahead of next week’s Organ Donor Awareness Week, which takes place from March 30 to April 6, and is appealing to the public to ‘Give the Gift of Life’ by becoming an organ donor.

“Joe had his operation on February 12,” Noreen told the Killarney Advertiser yesterday (Thursday).

“It was life-changing straight away. The big thing is once you receive your kidney it’s life-changing. There’s a difference within 24 hours. The recovery is remarkable.”

She explained how Joe, who attends the Kerry Parents and Friends and is a member of the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club, had suffered with kidney trouble since the age of 12 and had to undergo dialysis.

She said she received great support from her workplace in the Dept of Justice, especially from colleague Stephen Byrne.

“I’d like to praise the HSE for their dedication to the Kidney Association with regard transport to and from Joe’s dialysis and John Crean Taxis, Catherine and her team in KP&F and Dilly Little’s team in Dublin and all on Damian’s Ward in Beaumont Hospital.”

Organ Donor Cards can be obtained by phoning the Irish Kidney Association 01 6205306 or free text the word DONOR to 50050. Visit website www.ika.ie/card. You can also download a free ‘digital organ donor card’ APP to your phone.

 

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Centenary exhibition to chart early years of Fianna Fáil in Kerry

. The exhibition, which runs from March 10 to March 31, explores the foundational years of the political party within the county between 1926 and 1933. The exhibition details how […]

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The exhibition, which runs from March 10 to March 31, explores the foundational years of the political party within the county between 1926 and 1933.

The exhibition details how the party established itself in a county where Civil War divisions were particularly deep-seated. It covers the transition of local figures from revolutionary activities to parliamentary politics and the intense election battles of the late 1920s. Visitors will be able to view documents and archives that illustrate how the party built its organisation across South Kerry in its first decade.

As part of the event, local historian and author Dr. Owen O’Shea will give a public lecture at the library on Thursday, March 26, at 7:00 p.m. His talk will focus on the foundation of the party and the “bullets to ballots” transition in Kerry politics. The exhibition is free to attend and will be open during the library’s scheduled operating hours throughout the month of March.
The project is the result of extensive research funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The grant was awarded under the Commemorations Bursary Scheme for 2025-2026 and managed by the Royal Irish Academy. This scheme supports local research that helps the public better understand the political and social evolution of Ireland following the Civil War.

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St Brendan’s College travel to London

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5th year students from St Brendan’s College went to London on their English school trip.

They enjoyed a production of ‘The Book of Mormon’ at the Prince of Wales theatre.

The following morning was spent touring Tate Modern before attending a tour and a brilliant interactive workshop in Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre focusing on their Leaving Certificate single text “Othello”.

The focus of the workshop centred on the performative elements of the play in relation to themes and character development. 

All students performed with great theatrical verve. 

A brilliant experience for all before attending an acclaimed production of the play in the Theatre Royal.

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