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Killarney family mark difficult year with amazing generosity

GENEROSITY: Paula, Aoife and Siobhan McSweeney presented €7,000 to Kerry Hospice Foundation staff Maura Sullivan and Mary Shanahan. Photo: Brendan Crean
By Sean Moriarty
One Killarney family gave a Christmas present that won’t be forgotten to the Kerry Hospice Foundation - a cheque for €7,000!
The McSweeney family, Siobhan and her daughters Paula Horan and Aoife Cowley, raised the staggering
amount for the foundation in memory of their husband and father Donal McSweeney.
The funds will go to the Kerry Hospice Foundation to be used by the Palliative Care Unit at the University Hospital Kerry.
Donal, who was affectionately known as 'Dodo', passed away just over a month ago after a long battle with oesophageal cancer.
Late of Gneeveguilla and Kilcummin he was well-known in country music circles in the region.
“He was the best father and husband we could ever ask for," Paula said. "We always felt like his number one. We will always have very fond memories of him especially music sessions and ‘sing songs’. He played with country music for most of his life. Music was his passion and he always brought families together with his guitar. ‘Dodo’ was at home during most of his illness, however, the last couple of weeks we were unable to manage his symptoms at home."
However, it was made a little easier with the fantastic services he received from Dr Margaret Clifford and the palliative team in Killarney and Tralee, she added.
“Dad always said he is happy he got ill rather than us. This was an example of his selfless personality. It was a hard journey to go through with dad. His room in Tralee was like a “home from home” and we are so grateful we were with him during his final peaceful moments. Dad always said about the nurses that visited him and the staff in the palliative care team that they were “tops”. I got to play the piano for him one last time at the centre. Dad was able to open and close windows with the touch of a button from his bed, adjust the temperature of the room and listen to music. It was so nice to be able to visit dad and know he was receiving the very best of care. He was always treated with respect and dignity. He had his first jacuzzi there and really enjoyed it. We are so lucky to have such fantastic people working here and a fantastic facility in Kerry,” added Paula.
It was a very difficult year for the McSweeney family, Dodo’s sister Joan McCullough passed away in Boston after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
Siobhan’s brother Seamus O’Connor, the well-known owner of Kitty O’Se’s restaurant in Killarney also passed away in the late spring.
News
Man released without charge in murder case
The man in his 50s arrested in connection with the discovery of a body of a woman in her 70s in unexplained circumstances in Ardshanavooley has been released without charge […]

The man in his 50s arrested in connection with the discovery of a body of a woman in her 70s in unexplained circumstances in Ardshanavooley has been released without charge in relation to this matter.
Miriam Burns was found in her home on Monday afternoon after family and neighbours became concerned about her welfare.
A file is now being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions and investigations are ongoing under the direction of a Senior Investigating Officer.
Gardaí are continuing to appeal to any persons who were in the Ardshanavooley area between 5pm on Friday and 1pm on Monday and observed any activity which drew their attention, to come forward.
Any road users who were travelling in the area at these times who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 6671160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
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Plenty of music and entertainment to celebrate Kilcummin talent
The successes of the Kerry, Munster and All-Ireland Fleadh’s were celebrated with Kilcummin CCÉ members, their families and friends in the clubhouse in Kilcummin on Sunday night. The talent within […]

The successes of the Kerry, Munster and All-Ireland Fleadh’s were celebrated with Kilcummin CCÉ members, their families and friends in the clubhouse in Kilcummin on Sunday night.
The talent within the branch was clearly evident with a packed trophies table. Indeed some of the successes over the last number of months were replayed in a relaxed, jovial atmosphere that meant that all attending had a great night’s entertainment.
“We had demonstrations of winning sets across all age groups and then we moved onto the musicians who pulled out all the stops to entertain the large crowd, packed into the clubhouse,” Derek O’Leary, Kilcummin CCÉ PRO, told the Killarney Advertiser.
John Moriarty, who has recently retired from his role of Supervisor with Kilcummin Rural Development was acknowledged with a presentation to reflect the outstanding work that he has done to enhance and grow Kilcummin Comhaltas over his 25 years in his role, he added.
“Much thanks and praise was also offered to Mary, Adrian and Conor Moriarty, all involved in the progression of dancing and music within the Kilcummin branch. The music and entertainment continued with Helen Kerins and Denis Crowley late into the night. We’re looking forward to next year already!”