By Sean Moriarty

A Killarney business woman who lost her partner to COVID-19 last year is urging everyone to get vaccinated.

Eileen Finucane runs popular Kitty O Se’s restaurant on College St.

She and her partner Seamus O’Connor set up the restaurant in 2019 following the success of their premises, of the same name, in Kinsale, County Cork.

In April 2020 Seamus contracted the virus and died. He was only 59-years-old.

Originally from Kilcummin, Seamus had ties to Farmer’s Bridge in Tralee, as well as Boolteens, Castlemaine where his extended family run the Anvil Bar, and he was popular in traditional music and motorsport circles in the county.

“Tragically more than 7,000 people have lost their lives to this terrible virus and my partner was one of them. I urge everyone to get vaccinated, as that’s the only way we will beat this disease and prevent more loss,” said Eileen.

FUNDRAISER

She is also encouraging people to get behind a new fundraiser being organised by frontline staff all over Ireland.

ICU doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, hospice staff, paramedics and Gardai throughout the country have launched a COVID-19 cycle of remembrance to honour the lives lost to the virus in an all-Ireland ICU4U charity cycle and memorial event, between September 2 and 4.

Frontline medical staff throughout the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland will cycle to the Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge in Dublin this September to remember all those who have lost their lives to COVID-19.

They also aim to raise €150,000 for those impacted by the secondary challenges of the pandemic as well as charities such as ALONE (older people), Aware (mental health supports), Aware NI (supports for overcoming depression) and Breakthrough Cancer Research (new treatments for cancer patients).

“The ICU team were incredible during Seamus’ time in Cork University Hospital and it’s so moving that they are yet again there for family members by remembering our loved ones and by raising much needed funds for those who now need our help," added Eileen.

After the cycle on September 4 members of the public will be invited to visit the commemoration site to take a rose and remember a loved one, making a charitable donation if they so wish.