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Luciano now running Iguana Cafe at racecourse

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By Michelle Crean

Luciano Oliveira came to Killarney to learn English but five years on he has well and truly embedded himself into the community.

Moving here has been life-changing to say the least as he is now a well-known face at Killarney Racecourse after taking over the running of Nave Cafe which he has since renamed Iguana Cafe.

"I came here to learn English," Luciano told the Killarney Advertiser. "Even though I couldn't speak English, people were very patient. The plan was to stay two years and then travel to Australia and New Zealand."

The Brazilian met his Polish wife Barbara, a GP, set up home in Firies and the couple have since had two children.

He previously worked in Nave Cafe for Adrian and Elaine and was looking to set up his own coffee business when he heard they were looking for a change in direction.

"The transition was very smooth," Luciano, who employs eight staff part-time, said.

He added that he has been warmly received since taking over the cafe.

"We're very busy. We get good passing trade from the new footpath linked with Muckross. People come here also as we have a free car park which is very large."

And he has a love of Killarney too especially, he says, the scenery outside the window of the cafe which looks out onto the racecourse and the mountains.

Iguana is open seven days a week to the public from 8am to 5pm serving tea, coffee, iced-drinks, soup and toasted sandwiches and offers vegan and gluten free options.

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Fassbender ready for second Le Mans appearance

Local Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender is in the final preparation stages for his second appearance at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. The iconic endurance race is celebrating its […]

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Local Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender is in the final preparation stages for his second appearance at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The iconic endurance race is celebrating its 100th edition next weekend.

The Fossa star has already arrived in the famous French twon where he is involved in a week-long series of engagements including drivers’ parades, autograph sessions and more serious appointments like car safety checks, practice and qualifying.

Like last year, when he finished 16th in the LMGTE Am class, Fassbender has been entered in to the event by the German Proton Competition team with Estonian Martin Rump and the Austrian Richard Lietz.

Fassbender dreams of following the trajectory of fellow Hollywood actors Patrick Dempsey who was second in LMGTE Am class in 2016 and Paul Newman who finished second overall in 1979.

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Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections

Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]

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Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.

Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.

The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.

Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.

Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.

She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.

“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”

In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.

In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.

last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History – Irish Life and Lore’.

During the broadcast she talked about her parents’ membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.

This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.

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