Connect with us

News

Killarney recognises one of its most famous daughters

Published

on

0232680_25_Janie_McCarthy_PlaqueBA.JPG

By Michelle Crean

A Killarney woman responsible for saving countless lives during World War 2 was honoured on Tuesday afternoon during a special ceremony and plaque unveiling on Mission Road.

PLAQUE: The plaque pictured up close in honour of Janie McCarthy. Photo: Michelle crean

HISTORY: Lots of work and research led to the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to Janie McCarthy on Mission Road on Tuesday afternoon. Pictured were: James O'Connor (Killarney Historic Society) Mary G O'Sullivan (researcher) Mayor of Killarney Marie Moloney Angela McAllen (Manager Killarney Municipal District) and Noel Grimes (Historian). Photo: Michelle Crean

HONOUR: Padraig Brosnan Maureen Somers Marie Brosnan Leahy Joe Cotter Mayor of Killarney Marie Moloney Angela McAllen (Manager Killarney Municipal District) and Mary G O'Sullivan pictured in front of the plaque which was unveiled to Janie McCarthy on Mission Road on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Crean

Cllr John O'Donoghue Cllr Maura Healy Rae Cllr Donal Grady Mayor of Killarney Marie Moloney Angela McAllen (Manager Killarney Municipal District) and Cllr Niall 'Botty' O'Callaghan pictured at the unveiling of the plaque to Janie McCarthy after it was unveiled on Mission Road on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Crean

UNVEILED: Mayor of Killarney Marie Moloney and Mary G O'Sullivan admiring the plaque to Janie McCarthy after it was unveiled on Mission Road on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Crean

Janie McCarthy, born in 1885 at Bohereen na Goun, New Street, played a key role in opposing the Nazi occupation of France during World War 2 and her heroic efforts are akin to those by Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty in Rome.

Mayor Marie Moloney had, in the past, called for Janie to be honoured in a similar way to the Monsignor who has a life sized statue erected in his honour on Mission Road.

Cllr John O’Donoghue previously brought a similar motion to a Council meeting following calls from his uncle, former councillor Michael Gleeson who made several attempts to honour the war hero in 2005 but it never came to fruition.

Lots of work and research led to Tuesday's unveiling including a thesis by Mary G O'Sullivan alongside research by James O'Connor from the Killarney Historic Society and historian Noel Grimes.

"I am delighted, as Cathaoirleach of Killarney Municipal District, to be able to unveil this plaque to recognise the contribution of Janie McCarthy and her work for the Resistance during World War II," Marie Moloney said.

"Her contribution to the fight for freedom is the reason why we are here. Following the outbreak of World War 2, Janie McCarthy joined the resistance and saved countless lives while staying in war-torn Paris, helping rescue members of the allied forces and intelligence services and smuggling them through the various escape channels and routes to get them out of Nazi occupied France and to safety. Operating in Paris while it was occupied by Nazi forces from 1940 to 1944 she passed hundreds of American, French and other allies through her hands, losing only one."

As a result of her work Janie was awarded France’s highest award, the Legion d’Honour, the Croix de Guerre and a Croix de la Resistance. The United States of America also honoured the Killarney native with the Medal of Freedom while Britain awarded her the Tedder Certificate for assisting British personnel to escape.

Janie was educated at The Convent of Mercy and went to France in 1910 where she worked as an au pair in Brittany and as a teacher for 15 years in Vannes.

The Germans occupied Paris where she was teaching during World War 2 and she immediately joined La Résistance.

Janie’s family members, the Brosnan family and the Cotter family, were in attendance at the unveiling alongside Manager of Killarney Municipal District Angela McAllen, Killarney Municipal District councillors John O'Donoghue, Maura Healy Rae, Donal Grady, and Niall 'Botty' O'Callaghan.

Janie also featured in a booked called ‘Hidden Kerry’, published in 2014, by local author and journalist Breda Joy.

"We have long honoured the exploits of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty for his work in saving thousands of allied soldiers and Jews. I find it amazing that two Killarney people would have had so much involvement in the safe escape of allied troops during World War 2, yet it should be no surprise that they were so successful, being from Killarney. I am hugely proud that Killarney now recognises one of its most famous daughters."

Advertisement

News

Concerns over future of St Mary of the Angels

Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for […]

Published

on

Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for children and adults with profound disabilities and special needs.

The campus, set on lands generously donated by the Doyle family, offers 30 acres of grounds, existing buildings, and services, making it a valuable asset for the provision of respite care in Kerry. TD Michael Cahill emphasized that the Doyle family’s wishes should be respected, and that the grounds should be made accessible immediately.
“The special needs community in Kerry has a major respite crisis and families don’t have time to wait. Families need help — they are not asking for full-time residential care but respite care, a break, a helping hand,” Deputy Cahill said.
He added that a bespoke approach is needed to meet the individual needs of children attending St Francis Special School. “Many of the children in the county with profound needs need a safe haven where they can roam the grounds freely, and St Mary of the Angels offers this.”
Deputy Cahill has accompanied several Ministers to the Beaufort campus to highlight its value to Disability Health Service providers. A working group has been formed including St John of Gods, the HSE, representatives of residents at St Mary of the Angels, and St Francis Special School, to explore options for maintaining and expanding respite services.
“Parents are worn out and at the end of their tether. This needs to be dealt with expeditiously, in an environment of cooperation between the relevant Government Departments of Health, Disability, and Education. We need to get this across the line urgently and put it permanently in place,” he said.
Deputy Cahill pointed to the current shortfall of respite services in Kerry. “As of now, Cunamh Iveragh respite in Cahersiveen is only open Friday to Sunday, running at half capacity — two adults per night instead of four. The issue is staffing, and the HSE will not release funding to open full-time. The Beaufort campus is available and should be utilised as parents are crying out for overnight respite. Cooperation and compassion could see this done quickly.”
TD Danny Healy Rae echoed these concerns during a Dáil speech this week. “We are still short of respite beds on the southern side of the constituency. Families caring for people with disabilities just want a break, but there is nowhere available locally. Places are being offered only in Tipperary or Meath for those needing new residential care. It makes no sense. St Mary of the Angels in Beaufort has 40 or 50 acres of grounds that could be expanded, with facilities already in place such as swimming pools. It could be developed as a model for the rest of the country.”
Both TDs are urging the Government and the HSE to take immediate action to utilise the Beaufort campus for respite care, in line with the intentions of the Doyle family and the needs of Kerry families.

Continue Reading

News

Cardiac Response Unit’s ‘Restart a Heart’ training event

Killarney Cardiac Response Unit (KCRU) is set to run a range of events as part of the global initiative Restart A Heart, which aims to increase awareness and actual rates […]

Published

on

Killarney Cardiac Response Unit (KCRU) is set to run a range of events as part of the global initiative Restart A Heart, which aims to increase awareness and actual rates of bystander CPR worldwide.

The main event, titled RAH 2025, invites the public to learn life-saving skills and the basic steps in the chain of survival. This will take place on Saturday, October 18, at the Killarney Outlet Centre.
Members of the public are encouraged to join KCRU at the centre between 10:00 am and 5pm.
Key feature of the day will be the CPR Competition, offering “fantastic prizes to be won.”
For further information, visit www.killarneycru.ie/rah25

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport