News
Kay to be remembered during fundraising walk

By Michelle Crean
Last year's fundraiser in memory of a much loved Killarney woman raised a massive €13,000 - and her family and friends are all set to do it again this month.
The '3k for Kay' walk takes place on Sunday April 24 from Navé coffee and includes a loop around Ross Castle and back to Navé after for coffees/teas and refreshments.
It leaves at 10am sharp and everyone is invited to come along and join in and wear Kay's favourite colour blue.
Kay was a very much loved member of staff in the accounts office in Daly's SuperValu for 25 years and also worked in Pretty Polly before that. Unfortunately she was diagnosed with stomach cancer which she so bravely fought but sadly died on April 25, 2017 a day after her birthday.
"She was always there for everyone and was that wife, mom, sister, friend and aunt that always gave an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on," her daughter Jenny McCarthy told the Killarney Advertiser.
"She was the heart of our family, she left behind so many memories and will be forever missed dearly. She fought hard until the very end."
Last year's '3k for Kay' was done virtually due to COVID and Kay's family and friends were overwhelmed to raise to €13,000 for the Irish Cancer Society.
"We were blown away. The Irish Cancer Society gave us so much support and guidance over the years, we were thrilled to be able to give back. We are so thankful to all that took part."
Donation buckets will be available on the day or people can donate on justgiving.ie website '3K FOR KAY- In Memory of Kay McCarthy'.
News
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, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]

Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins 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.
News
Philip is running over 100kms for Cancer charity
Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday. Phillip has already […]

Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday.
Phillip has already completed four half marathons at various locations around Killarney – all in aid of Kerry Cancer Support Group – or the Cancer Bus as it popularly called.
This is the second time that Phillip has run four half marathon and an official race for the charity.
Back in 2021 he finished with 5km Run Killarney event but his finishing race this time around is over eight times the distance at 42kms.
“We are delighted with Philip’s continued fundraising support but also with his awareness raising for the charity,” Breda Dyland, Service Manager Kerry Cancer Support Trust.
“We are getting busier all the time and still get no statutory funding so are dependent on fundraisers like Philip’s to keep us on the road. We have just put our new wheelchair accessible bus on the Cork route so Philip’s funding will be going towards the operation of this vehicle.”