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New York-based Rathmore woman celebrates 95th birthday

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By Sean Moriarty

 

A New York-based Rathmore woman who recently celebrated her 95th birthday can boast American President Joe Biden as one of her many famous acquaintances. Nora Murphy, was born Nora Esther Ryan on March 27, 1926, in a barn in Goulane near Rathmore.

She left Ireland in 1949, aged 23, and took up residence and employment with her uncle Danny who ran a bar in The Bronx.

She lived for a few months with him and he secured a job for her at a Blue Cross Blue Shield (similar to the VHI in Ireland) office in Manhattan.

Shortly after she met Danny Murphy, a NYPD police officer with Cork connections, and they had three children, Peggy, Paddy and Patricia.

Her niece Debbie McGoldrick is the senior editor of the New York based ‘The Irish Voice’ which was founded by her husband Niall O'Dowd in 1987.

Niall's father Donal was from Dingle but Debbie’s roots are in Rathmore through Nora and her late mother Peg.

They still have cousins and friends there, including Donal and Margaret O'Keeffe and Paddy Crowley who lives next door to the old home place.

“Nora is everybody's favourite. We all adore her and are so grateful that at 95 years of age she still has the same spirit and love of life that she's always had,” Debbie told the Killarney Advertiser. “She is forever ready for an adventure, particularly if it relates to Ireland. She cannot wait to get back to Kerry and play games of 31 with the O'Keeffes and Paddy and all of her many friends in nearby Knocknagree.”

In 2013, Nora met Biden at the annual Hall of Fame celebration hosted by the ‘Irish America’ magazine – a sister title to ‘The Irish Echo’.

He was the main honouree, serving as vice president at the time, and was only too happy to meet with guests after his speech.

Some years later family members, including one of her granddaughters was invited to a Christmas party hosted by Biden. She showed the old photograph to Biden who asked why she was not at the party and insisted on getting Nora on the phone.

“Nora has never forgotten where she came from. As soon as we can travel back "home" as she says, we will be there,” added Debbie.

She also met actor James Gandolfini, best known as Tony Soprano from ‘The Sopranos’.

“We met him at a party several years ago. He heard Nora's Irish accent and was charmed. He was an absolute gentleman".

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Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

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Passengers using TFI Local Link Kerry services in Killarney and across the county can now pay for their journeys using contactless card payments.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the rollout this week, allowing commuters to simply tap their debit card, credit card, or mobile devices, such as Apple Pay and Google Pa, when boarding.

The move is designed to offer more convenience for those using high-frequency rural and regional routes.

In Killarney, the new payment option will be available on the TFI Anseo town services, which have seen a significant increase in passenger numbers since their introduction.

The contactless system is currently available for single journey fares, while those using daily or weekly passes can continue to use the Leap website or the TFI Leap Top Up App.
Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, welcomed the modernisation of the fleet.

“The introduction of contactless payments is another welcome step forward for public transport in Kerry,” he said. “It complements other major projects in the county, including the expansion of TFI Local Link services and the delivery of TFI Anseo in Killarney, which is proving to be another great initiative.”

While the new technology offers a modern alternative, traditional payment methods are not being phased out. Cash payments, TFI Leap cards, and Free Travel Cards all remains fully valid across the network.

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How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

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Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will be tabling a motion of no confidence against the Government after the protests that took place nationwide during the week.

Earlier today we asked our readers how would they vote in a no confidence motion against the Government?

Most of our readers said they would vote no confidence, while some said, yes they do have confidence in the Government.

One reader said: “Vote confidence. The only proper leadership over the last few days came from government. Courage came when needed despite how unpopular it looked in the moment. By contrast, opposition politicians wanted the country to burn to suit themselves”.

Another reader stated: “No confidence. Shambolic and heavy handed handling of protests this past week”.

However, some people didn’t have any confidence in either side with a reader saying: “No confidence in the no confidence! Different wings of the same bird! We need a complete overhaul of the political system”.

We asked the question to our 5 Kerry TDs before lunch-time today, asking them what their vote will be tomorrow.

We received one reply from Sinn Féin’s Kerry TD Pa Daly.

He will be voting no confidence in the Government tomorrow along with his party.

Other media outlets are reporting that Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae is undecided at the moment.

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