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Killarney recognises one of its most famous daughters

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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."

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Killarney for Palestine film screening

Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz. The event, which […]

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Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz.

The event, which took place on July 3, included two screenings, both of which were fully booked. Guests enjoyed cheese and wine before the shows.
‘No Other Land’ depicts the ongoing destruction in Masafer Yatta, a cluster of villages in the Southern West Bank, and shows the experiences of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The film won in the Best Documentary category at this year’s Academy Awards.
The screenings were organised in association with the West End School of Arts.
All proceeds from the €25 tickets benefited Camp Breakerz Crew, a children’s charity based in Gaza that provides creative outlets through dance and is involved in food distribution programs in Nuseirat Camp and Deir-Al-Balah due to food shortages.
Sally MacMonagle, who recently spent time in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, also spoke at one of the screenings.

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Bid to host European Presidency summit meetings gathers pace

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026. Deputy Cahill […]

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Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026.

Deputy Cahill believes Kerry’s available accommodation, food, and conference facilities are “second to none,” with Killarney as the central location.
“Visitors from every corner of the earth have been coming to Kerry for centuries now, to experience its beauty and serenity and have returned on many occasions because of the fabulous time they have enjoyed during their stay here,” said Deputy Cahill. “Where else would you want to bring the senior Government Ministers of all of our EU counterpart states, to experience Ireland, its customs and heritage?”
The Rossbeigh TD outlined various attractions available for visitors during downtime: “During their downtime, they can visit the Blaskets and Slea Head, Sceilg Mhichíl and the Ring of Kerry, Killarney’s Lakes, Gap of Dunloe, National Park and Sliabh Luachra, all of our glorious beaches from Ballybunion to Rossbeigh, Kells to Ventry, Whitestrand to Inch, Ballinskelligs to Cromane, Waterville to Derrynane.” He also cited Kerry’s golf courses, Listowel Writers Week, the Rose of Tralee, and Puck Fair as potential experiences.
Deputy Cahill confirmed he has raised this matter with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris; and Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne.
“If Killarney’s bid is successful in bringing the Heads of State to our county for meetings, conferences and functions, it will be a massive boost to the local economy in Killarney and also throughout the county,” added Cahill.”Iwill continue to push in the coming months for Killarney and Kerry to be included as bases for the rounds of meetings that are to take place from July 1 to December 312026.”

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