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Kidney Respite Centre opens in Killarney

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By Sean Moriarty

A new holiday house for kidney transplant patients and those on dialysis has just opened in Killarney.

The new facility on the Muckross Road will allow patients enjoy a holiday while undergoing treatment or recovering from a transplant operation.

It is managed by the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) with support from the local branch.

The Killarney facility is the second one in the county, an existing holiday house in Tralee has been in operation since 2006.

Patients can liaise with the IKA’s head office in Dublin and they will allocate a week’s holiday at the house while at the same time booking in their thrice-weekly treatments at University Hospital Kerry (UHK) in Tralee. The facility is also suitable for patients who can self-treat and one of the bedrooms in the house is converted into a home dialysis unit.

Last week Galway man John Keady became the first kidney patient to use the new facility.

Since his transplant in 2015, he has been unable to work which meant current finances would not allow for holidays.

“It was like a five-star hotel,” he told the Killarney Advertiser. “It is a fantastic facility and I was able to enjoy a proper holiday.”

So far the local branch of the IKA have raised over €180,000 for the facility, mainly through the annual Ring of Kerry Cycle, but fundraising remains on-going to pay for the upkeep of the house and to purchase additional equipment.

Proceeds from this Sunday’s Ring of Kerry Honda 50 run will go towards the new facility which will be officially opened in September.

“Fundraising is on-going to pay for maintenance,” Theresa Looney, Local Branch Secretary told the Killarney Advertiser. “We run it on behalf of the IKA and manage bookings, cleaning staff and thing like that. There are 500 people all over Ireland awaiting a transplant and this will allow them to have one week holiday respite in Killarney.”

The annual Honda 50 run was launched on Thursday evening – more details in our dedicated motoring section on page 54.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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All eyes down as St Oliver’s hosts bumper bingo fundraiser

It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night. The event, which is being held […]

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It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night.

The event, which is being held to raise additional funds for the school’s Special Classes, will take place in the Killarney Racecourse in the Celtic Steps venue.

According to Colm Ó Súilleabháin, Principal of St Oliver’s, the idea for the fundraiser was the brainchild of Denise Hendey, a parent of one of the children in the Special Classes who approached the school wanting to assist with raising much-needed funds for the classes. “She has been utterly amazing with the amount of work and organisation she has put into this event, sourcing an incredible number of fantastic prizes for the raffle and spot prizes for the bingo winners” he said.
Continuing he said “We are so appreciative of the incredible support we have received from all the businesses who have sponsored some amazing prizes and made very generous donations in support of the event.”

St. Oliver’s has eight separate Special Classes, home to 62 children. All monies raised on the night will go towards purchasing additional resources for the classes.

The event will commence at 7pm with doors opening at 6pm. So be sure to come along to what is promised to be a fun-filled night with numerous opportunities to win some amazing prizes and hopefully if there is a ‘knock on the door’ or a ‘bang on the drum’ it will be on your bingo card!

Bingo books (€10) and raffle tickets (€5) are available to buy from the school office and will be available on the night. All welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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Milltown plan to preserve history in community project 

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The Milltown History and Heritage Society has announced plans for an oral history archive for the community.

It is hoped that the collection and preservation of stories and folklore will be a valuable resource for future generations.

Oral history expert and historian Dr Tomás Mac Conmara will speak in Milltown in support of the launch.

Dr Mac Conmara, who is an award-winning oral historian, lecturer and author, will speak at the Muintir na Tíre Hall in Milltown at 8pm on Friday, October 24 and will introduce the fundamentals for the collection of oral history.

The presentation is free of charge and is supported by funding from the Creative Communities Grant Scheme 2025.

Attendees will be introduced to the practical skills required in interviewing, recording and documenting local heritage.

Stewart Stephans of the Milltown History and Heritage Society said they are excited to have Tomás to set them on the right path towards the development of the archive.

He said: “The collection and retention of oral history needs to be approached properly, drawing on the right advice and maintaining high standards, so we are pleased to be getting the input of such a renowned expert.” The event is open to anyone who would like to attend.

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