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Killarney hospitals to lose 42 beds

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By Sean Moriarty

The two HSE operated care facilities in Killarney are set to lose a total of 42 beds as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, documents seen by the Killarney Advertiser can reveal.

The news comes less than one week after the HSE promised an increase in bed numbers across the country in preparation for a potential second wave of the Coronavirus and increased demand over the winter months.

It's understood that St Columbanus Community Nursing Home will lose 27 beds while Killarney Community Hospital (known locally as The District Hospital) will suffer a 15-bed reduction.

The reason given for the bed losses is to allow safe social distancing within the hospitals and the Killarney Advertiser understands that no more than four beds will be permitted in each ward.

Documents seen by this newspaper reveal that the measures could be in place for at least 18 months.

The document does not reveal the levels of cutbacks at any specific hospital including the two Killarney-based facilities. While the moves won't affect current residents, new admissions to long term care at the local hospital will not be accepted.

“While I understand that you would like detailed information on the impact on your local community hospital or community nursing unit, we cannot say at this point exactly how many beds will be temporarily removed," a HSE statement said.

"We are currently engaging with staff, unions and employee representative bodies. The Directors of Nursing in each facility are currently involved in a process of reviewing safe occupancy. What I can say is that for about 18 months there will be a temporarily reduced level of public residential service available to some local communities. However, work will be underway to restore the overall number of beds in purpose-built and compliant centres as quickly as possible."

It is understood that capacity at the St Columbanus Community Nursing Home will be reduced from 92 to 65 beds while the Community Hospital will have a total of 23 beds, down from its previous 38 beds.

Local TD Danny Healy-Rae raised the matter in the Dáil on Tuesday.

“I am horrified at the closure of 27 beds in the home in Killarney and 15 beds in the Killarney Community Hospital,” he told the Killarney Advertiser.

“Recently the Minister and HSE said they were opening up more beds throughout the country to cater for patients with the Coronavirus, while beds are actually being closed in Killarney where there is a huge need for these beds to be available. What should be happening now is that all the beds and wards which have been closed for years need to be opened up and used.”

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New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

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A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.

Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.

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