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Killarney Hotel Group raises €90,000 for Down Syndrome Ireland over four years
The iNUA Collection selected Down Syndrome Ireland as their charity partner in 2019.
The company is proud to have raised over €90,000 for DSI to date, due entirely to the generosity of colleagues, hotel guests, and the support of the Down Syndrome Ireland team.
At an event in Dublin One, the iNUA Collection presented the fundraising cheque to the DSI team, represented by Gerard O’Carroll, DSI President and Aoife Gaffney, Head of Employment at DSI.
Ten of the group’s 15 Down Syndrome Ireland colleagues from across 12 hotels attended the event, along with their families.
Sean O’Driscoll, CEO of the iNUA Collection promised the groups commitment to continuing the €5 per €100 contribution to DSI for all vouchers sold across its hotels as well as introducing the ‘Clean the Planet, Not my Room’ campaign, where a €1 per room donation is made to DSI on behalf of guests.
Sean also recognized the support of Aoife Gaffney, Head of Employment and the team at DSI in being critical in the success of the National Employment Programme in our hotels.
“With Community as one of our core values here at The iNUA Collection, we are delighted to continue supporting this partnership,” said Mr O’Driscoll.
“Using our group resources and expertise to make a positive impact and engaging both guests and teams in this process. The practical supports offered by Down Syndrome Ireland are invaluable, and their work in supporting adult education and independence enhances the lives of thousands of children and adults with Down Syndrome across the country. Our fundraising efforts are one crucial way for us to support DSI and the important work they do. These efforts allow us to engage with our guests and colleagues in a meaningful way, building a sense of community and a sense of social responsibility. We are privileged to be part of this journey with DSI.”
Gerard O’Carroll, President of Down Syndrome Ireland and father of Yann, a colleague of Muckross Park Hotel, said the iNUA Collection makes a difference to everyone’s lives, their Down Syndrome colleagues, the teams they work alongside and the wider community of guests and visitors in the hotels.
News
Fassbender ready for second Le Mans appearance
Local Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender is in the final preparation stages for his second appearance at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. The iconic endurance race is celebrating its […]

Local Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender is in the final preparation stages for his second appearance at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The iconic endurance race is celebrating its 100th edition next weekend.
The Fossa star has already arrived in the famous French twon where he is involved in a week-long series of engagements including drivers’ parades, autograph sessions and more serious appointments like car safety checks, practice and qualifying.
Like last year, when he finished 16th in the LMGTE Am class, Fassbender has been entered in to the event by the German Proton Competition team with Estonian Martin Rump and the Austrian Richard Lietz.
Fassbender dreams of following the trajectory of fellow Hollywood actors Patrick Dempsey who was second in LMGTE Am class in 2016 and Paul Newman who finished second overall in 1979.
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.