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Little Alexis gets surprise Garda visit

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MINI GARDA: Alexis O'Mahony from Woodlawn lit up when she received a visit from local Gardai and will later this year become an honorary member of the Force.

By Michelle Crean

A four-year-old little girl will be the first Killarney child to graduate as an honorary Garda after receiving a surprise house visit by the local members of the Force on Friday last.

Alexis O'Mahony from Woodlawn lit up with excitement when local Gardai paid a house call as part of their Little Blue Heroes (LBH) charity work which helps children who are ill or have special needs.

Garda Gillian Mac Eoin, Sharon Maybury, Michelle Reddy, Emmet Flanagan, John Crowley and Mark Foley called by in a Paddy Wagon and two patrol cars and handed her a Garda jacket and hat to wear.

Alexis, daughter of Steve and Teresa, suffers from Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Deficiency (PDHD) a condition that affects her ability to breakdown food to fuel the body which results in side effects that include Cerebral Palsy and epilepsy.

Her dad Steve told the Killarney Advertiser that she really enjoyed it - as did the neighbours once they knew why their estate was surrounded by Gardai.

"She was smiling right throughout when we were outside with them. She seemed to enjoy all the stimulation as she's been inside for the last few months."

Over the last few months Alexis received a number of gifts from the Gardai including an Easter egg, Gardai beanie hat, and a Tesco voucher was kindly given to her parents.

She'll later be given a specially made Garda uniform which is currently being made, her liaison officer Garda Gillian Mac Eoin told the Killarney Advertiser.

"We put on an extra small Garda jacket on her on Friday and her face just lit up as soon as did it. We're getting her little uniform made."

Gillian explained Little Blue Heroes is a lovely way to help distract children who are sick or may be going through difficult times.

"It something different for the kids to distract them. They go through enough. It's great to give them some extra special attention.

LBH are brilliant. They send toys and financial assistance to families and if the family needs anything like a Garda escort in an emergency they know we're there and who to contact."

And later this year Alexis will become a mini Garda graduate, she added.

"We don't know when yet due to COVID but it'll be in the next few months all going well."

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County Kerry lands its very own MONOPOLY board: Killarney landmarks included

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Live from the Killarney Plaza: County Kerry lands its very own MONOPOLY board
The Killarney Advertiser is live at the Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa this morning where the official announcement is underway that County Kerry is getting its very own customised MONOPOLY board.
“The Kingdom” is officially celebrating after beating five other counties across the island of Ireland—Donegal, Tipperary, Tyrone, Wexford, and Wicklow—to land the ultimate board game honours. Game makers Winning Moves, who produce the regional editions under license from Hasbro, reveal that Kerry ticked every single box based on three key factors: a sense of family values, civic pride, and sheer beauty.
More than 30 iconic County Kerry landmarks and organisations are set to feature on the bespoke board, with Killarney landmarks like the Killarney National Park and Muckross House already included for properties. The board sets will be uniquely themed to reflect local heritage, hospitality, castles, culture, tourism, and business.
Even the Chance and Community Chest cards are getting a complete Kingdom makeover. For example, players might find themselves sent back three spaces for driving the wrong way around Slea Head.
Speaking at the launch event, John Keen-Tomlinson, Partnership Manager at Winning Moves, says the team is going to be wonderfully spoilt for choice. While global favourites like the Ring of Kerry, Skellig Michael, Carrigafoyle Castle, and Gleninchaquin Nature Park are in the running, the public is being officially invited today to submit their own suggestions for what should make the final cut.
Welcoming the news, Pat O’Leary, Chair of the Kerry Tourism Industry Federation, says that the game reflects the high profile of Kerry’s long-standing welcome to visitors over many generations. He is urging the people of Kerry to get creative and submit their suggestions to the game makers, recommending a visit to www.discoverkerry.com for inspiration.
We are currently talking to the creators and gathering the local reaction at the Plaza.
Stay tuned for a full, comprehensive report and photo gallery from the launch event later today.

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Alexandra Mae Gemeniano announced as Miss Universe Ireland finalist

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Killarney resident Alexandra Mae Gemeniano has been announced as an official finalist for Miss Universe Ireland 2026.


The announcement was made at the national competition’s summer launch party, which took place last week at Bewley’s Café Theatre on Grafton Street in Dublin.
Alexandra (43) is originally from the Philippines and moved to Ireland with her family when she was 17. She became an Irish citizen in 2011. After living and working in the UK for 14 years, she returned to Killarney to be closer to her family and currently works in the beauty industry.
The launch event marked the official start of the selection process to find Ireland’s representative for the global Miss Universe competition. The current title holder is 19-year-old Aadya Srivastava from Galway.
The national final is scheduled to take place on Saturday 20th June at the Bonnington Hotel in Dublin. The winner will represent Ireland at the 75th annual Miss Universe global final, where the reigning Miss Universe, Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico, will crown her successor.

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