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Local online group unites communities worldwide

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INSPIRING: Photographer Trevor O’Donoghue from Killarney has set up a Facebook group which is uniting people all over the world.

 

By Michelle Crean

One local photographer, who wants to support and help cheer people up at such an uneasy time - has been overwhelmed that his new community group has reached over one thousand people worldwide.

Trevor O’Donoghue, who has Cystic Fibrosis, has been a photographer for 15 years and is keen to share well-being and mindfulness techniques with others.

Recently he started running some day long Mindography workshops locally, and as peoples’ interest really started to grow, he created a Facebook group called ‘Pictures of Life’, which has really taken off.

Group members are enjoying the daily themes from ‘Sky’, ‘Morning’, ‘Nature’ and ‘No Face Selfie’ amongst others. Trevor explained that it’s not a photography competition, but about being in a community at a time of need.

“It is amazing watching it all unfold,” Trevor told the Killarney Advertiser.
“There are pictures being shared from all over the world and people don’t need a big camera to take a meaningful image. It has been emotional and fun watching peoples’ pictures and interaction. People have really united together to support, encourage and cheer each other up at such an uneasy time.”

He added that both himself and his fiancée Ciara wanted to help others.

“It is now scientifically proven that the health of our mind and body are both linked. With everything going on at the moment, we believe it is just as important for us all to look after our mental well-being as much as our physical bodies. We decided to run a free online Mindography course a few weeks back. It isn’t possible for us to help out in the community because we are in isolation, so after a bit of thinking we also decided to create the Facebook group and challenge for people to introduce them to what we are aiming to do,” he said.

“We are so happy we decided to do it and have well over one thousand people partaking, between the Facebook page and our community and it is growing every day, a big difference from the 40 or 50 we had expected. The creativity we are seeing is inspiring.”

Readers can join in at www.focusonhappiness.ie or their Facebook group: ‘Pictures of Life’.

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Regatta Queen crowned at annual dance

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The annual Killarney Regatta Dance took place on September 25 as rowers, families and supporters came together to celebrate their successful year.

The racing was cancelled in September due to bad weather.

The Killarney Regatta is one of Ireland’s oldest rowing events, having first begun in 1788.

The dance took place at the Killarney Oaks Hotel where there was a lot of excitement and fun. Six rowing clubs, Fossa, Workman’s, St Brendan’s, Commercials, Flesk Valley, and Muckross, came together to celebrate the community and its shared history.

Amelia Counihan was crowned as the Regatta Queen.

The Queen represents the spirit pride and grace of the rowing community and has been a tradition in the club for generations.

Workman’s Rowing Club congratulated Amelia and described her as a woman who embodies everything that their tradition stands for.

The club said: “Queen is more than a title — it is a celebration of history, community, and the spirit of Killarney rowing.”

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Killarney Looking Good competition celebrates community pride

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The annual Killarney Looking Good competition took place at the Great Southern Hotel on Wednesday night where Kerry GAA captain Gavin White presented the awards to the deserving recipients.

Killarney Park Hotel came out on top with the overall prize being awarded to the newly refurbished five-star hotel.

The judges were impressed by the stylish new entrance and driveway and their spectacular display of flowers and window boxes. Killarney Park won the same award back in 1992.

The best large commercial premises award went to Killarney Racecourse, and the best small commercial premises was awarded to Sheahan’s Pharmacy.

Charlie Foley’s won the best public house; best restaurant was 40 Main and Walsh Bros Shoes was named best retail.

In the residential categories, the best private residence was Tomies View, Ross Road, best large estate went to Countess Grove, and best small estate was won by Coolgreane Park.

The winner of the 2025 Fr Michael Murphy Memorial Pride of Place Award was presented to the Killarney Asylum Seekers Initiative while the Yvonne Quill Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award winner went to Margaret Curtin.

The Killarney Looking Good competition is organised by Killarney Municipal District Council and Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce and sponsored by MD O’Shea’s & Sons and O’Mahony Media.

The competition aims to encourage residents and business owners to keep the town looking well through the use of flowers, hanging baskets, colour schemes.

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