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By Michelle Crean

News of the passing of Liam Kelly, a friend, colleague and volunteer community man of many years standing, was met with great sadness throughout the town earlier this week.

Liam, from Loreto Road, and formerly Dungarvan, Waterford, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday last following an illness bravely fought.

The members of the Muckross Community Association and indeed, the entire community of the Muckross area, were shocked and saddened to hear of his passing.

Requiem Mass took place on Tuesday morning at 10.30am in St Mary's Cathedral and was live streamed on www.killarneyparish.com due to the current restrictions.

The Muckross Community Association this week extended its deepest sympathy to his wife Helen, his daughters Susan, Oonagh and Gillian, and the members of the extended Kelly family.

In his capacity as a community volunteer, Liam served as Chairman of the Muckross Community Centre for many years. He directed his energies and his organisational abilities to all of the activities associated with the centre.

From assisting the Muckross Community Playschool to setting up Neighbourhood Watch, from supporting the Youth Club to stewarding at the Ring of Kerry Cycle, from serving on the National Parks Liaison Committee to ensuring the continuance of the weekly Muckross Community Lottery, Liam was a tireless volunteer, always positive, always giving of himself for the benefit of other organisations and other people.

Liam was also the driving force behind the recent extension to the community centre which increased its capacity for many more uses for the community.

The rowing club in Muckross has benefited hugely from his vision for the community centre facility and it too has expressed sadness at his loss.

Liam was also the key point behind the many fundraising events undertaken to enable the Community Association to supply and instal four defibrillators for the Muckross area with one being placed at the community centre, Muckross Church, Loughquittane and Loreto National School.

"Liam was a man of great vision and never shied from the hard work required to achieve whatever goal he set," a spokesperson from Muckross Community Association, said.

"It was our pleasure to have known and worked with and for him. Our thoughts and prayers remain with his wife Helen, daughters Susan, Gillian and Oonagh and his grandchildren and members of his family. May he rest in peace."