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Killarney’s links with Washington celebrated at Killarney House summer school

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A CAPACITY audience gathered at Killarney House on Sunday morning to hear presentations from five speakers on aspects of the life and connections of the McShain family during their occupation of the house from the 1950s to the 1990s, as well as insights into the work of John McShain and others on The White House in Washington DC.

The event was organised by the James Hoban Societies of the US and Ireland, which researches and promotes the life and times of Kilkenny-born James Hoban, the original architect and builder of the presidential mansion, in conjunction with the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Programme director Denis Bergin introduced the session by summarising the contribution of James Hoban and other Irish pioneers to the early development of Washington. Killarney local historian Conor Doolan reported on his research among the many former employees and friends of the McShain family, to give a snapshot of their lives as residents and benefactors of Killarney.

New York author Robert Klara, who has written a book on John McShain's massive reconstruction of the White House in the years 1948-52, reported on his extensive interviews with Sr. Pauline McShain, including her memories of driving with President Franklin Roosevelt in his specially adapted car during a family visit to his New York estate.

Historian Vincent Carmody told of the career of his Listowel-born relative Kathy Buckley, who served three US Presidents as a cook in the White House, and who brought back many mementoes of her time there when she retired to her native place in the 1950s.

Architect Brian O'Connell traced the origins of the American Constitution to documents produced at the Confederation of Kilkenny in 1642, and noted how democratic principles had shaped the spaces used by parliaments from Robert Shee's house in Kilkenny to the former Irish parliament house (now the Bank of Ireland) in College Green and the U.S. Capitol in DC.

Killarney House manager Pat Dawson expressed himself very satisfied with the session, which followed the official opening of the restored reception rooms at Killarney House on July 3, and hoped that the local connection to the McShains and America could be developed as the theme of an annual event.
 


 
Photographed at the Hoban-McShain Mini-Summer School session at Killarney House on Sunday morning are: Harry O'Donoghue, caretaker, Killarney House; Conor Doolan, local historian and speaker (Killarney); Vincent Carmody, local historian and speaker (Listowel); Denis Bergin, programme director; Robert Klara, author and speaker (New York); Brian O'Connell, architect and speaker; and Pat Dawson, manager, Killarney House.

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Winner claims €1m Lotto win after ticket sat in glovebox

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Winner claims €1m Lotto win after ticket sat in glovebox


A Killarney lottery player has officially claimed a life-changing €1,005,000 EuroMillions prize after discovering the winning ticket had been sitting forgotten in a car glovebox for over a week.


The lucky ticket was purchased at John Bowler’s Centra store at The Reeks Gateway on Tralee Road for the special Ireland Only Raffle draw on Friday, August 21.
While the winner’s identity remains anonymous, the individual strongly hinted at being a local resident after admitting to discussing the local mystery win with townspeople while unaware the winning paper was parked in their own driveway.
“I left the ticket in the car glovebox, it must’ve been sitting there for over a week,” the winner revealed. “I had no idea the ticket was even there, and less so it was a ticket worth €1 million.”
“I heard there had been a win in the town, and I had even been chatting to people about the win and what you would do if you ever won a prize like that. Little did I know a €1 million ticket was in my driveway.”
The Killarney player won the top prize in the National Lottery’s special event, which guarantees one player an extra €1,000,000 on top of the standard €5,000 raffle payout.
The newly minted millionaire has already begun planning how to enjoy the windfall, with a Mediterranean cruise sitting high on the priority list.

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Marathon run to honour memory of beloved teacher Sarah


A local man is taking on the Dublin City Marathon to raise funds for cancer research in memory of his sister-in-law, who passed away earlier this year.


David ‘Daithí’ Casey will run the 26.2-mile course in honour of Sarah Egan, a popular local teacher who lost her battle with Ewing Sarcoma in May.
Known affectionately to her family and friends as Suzie, Sarah was a cherished daughter, sister, aunt, godmother, and friend.
Paying tribute to her memory, David remembered Sarah as a exceptionally kind and brave person who faced her illness with immense strength.
“Suzie was a kind, caring, shy, and beautiful person,” David said. “When she got sick, she showed amazing inner strength and was a brave fighter, especially in how she handled her illness in front of her family and her nieces and nephews.”
All funds raised from the run will go directly to Sarcoma Cancer Ireland to support ongoing research and treatment developments for Ewing Sarcoma, as well as providing assistance to affected families.
“Every mile I run is a reminder of why I’m doing this — to make a real difference for those who need it most,” David added. “It’s not just about crossing a finish line; it’s about turning effort into impact.”
The Egan and Casey families extended their sincere thanks to the local community for their support and kindness over the past three months.
Donations can be made online via eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/DC69465374.

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