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Pat thankful no one hurt in house fire

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By Michelle Crean

A much loved Killarney hairdresser - whose house was destroyed following a devastating fire - has thanked the public for their support.

Still recovering from the shock, Pat O'Neill also issued a warning to homeowners to check their contents insurance - as he and his wife Geraldine have been left with a big bill as they repair the damage including ceilings which caved in.Fire crews rushed to the scene in Ballaugh during the daytime on Thursday, July 29 after his 12-year-old son Finn ran to the neighbours barefoot for help with the family's two dogs.

"I was at work and Finn was at home lying on the carpet on his iPad when he saw smoke. He ran out barefoot and alerted the neighbours. Geraldine had gone to collect our son Luke who is working in Scotts for the summer," Pat told the Killarney Advertiser. "The kitchen is gone, everything inside has to be thrown out. "The den area was also totally destroyed including ceilings and it could take up to nine months before they can return to live there.He said that it all happened so fast but is "thankful" no one was hurt.

In the meantime, he, Geraldine and their children, Finn, Lara (14) and Luke (16) are staying in a nearby home owned by one of their neighbours.

"We did get a fright but there's always someone worse off than you."

He issued a word of advice to homeowners to have their insurance up to date. "We're under insured. You take it out years ago and it comes about every year and rolls over. For an extra €45 or so, the price of a meal, is all it costs. It could have been a lot worse."

However, he said some things are irreplaceable including oil paintings of his father and his football memorabilia. He also thanked his neighbours for their quick action and the fire crews for their help.

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Milltown plan to preserve history in community project 

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The Milltown History and Heritage Society has announced plans for an oral history archive for the community.

It is hoped that the collection and preservation of stories and folklore will be a valuable resource for future generations.

Oral history expert and historian Dr Tomás Mac Conmara will speak in Milltown in support of the launch.

Dr Mac Conmara, who is an award-winning oral historian, lecturer and author, will speak at the Muintir na Tíre Hall in Milltown at 8pm on Friday, October 24 and will introduce the fundamentals for the collection of oral history.

The presentation is free of charge and is supported by funding from the Creative Communities Grant Scheme 2025.

Attendees will be introduced to the practical skills required in interviewing, recording and documenting local heritage.

Stewart Stephans of the Milltown History and Heritage Society said they are excited to have Tomás to set them on the right path towards the development of the archive.

He said: “The collection and retention of oral history needs to be approached properly, drawing on the right advice and maintaining high standards, so we are pleased to be getting the input of such a renowned expert.” The event is open to anyone who would like to attend.

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Network Ireland Kerry discuss sustainable success

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Network Ireland Kerry held their third annual collaboration event last Wednesday at the Rose Hotel, Tralee. The theme was: “The Journey to Sustainable Success” which brought three industry experts together to talk about their own journey to sustainable successful.

Business professionals, entrepreneurs, and financial leaders came together for this highly anticipated event to learn about the journey from becoming a start-up, to a small-to-medium enterprise (SME), and a large SME.

The event was opened by AIB Branch Liaison for Network Ireland Kerry and AIB Castleisland Branch Manager, Colleen Shannon. It was MC’d by AIB Tralee Branch Manager, Stephen Stack.

Sarah Farrar of AINMHÌ, Garrett Dillon of Mr. Binman and Dillon Waste Ltd. and Susan Quirke-Crowley of Mounthawk Montessori School Group were among the speakers at the event.

These leaders spoke about their challenges, milestones, and breakthroughs they encountered, from launching an idea to scaling operations nationally.

Tara Elzingre of Tara Elzingre Consultancy, Zaneta Labuz-Czerwein of Rustic Boowa and Sharon Hartnett of U Coaching promoted their businesses for ‘Minute on the Mic’

Emily Reen, Network Ireland Kerry President, described the event as a testament to the power of partnership. She said: “The event underscored a powerful message: sustainable business success is not a solo journey. With the right partnerships, teams and financial tools, businesses of all sizes can grow with purpose, resilience, and long-term impact.”

Network Ireland Kerry will host their next monthly event on November 12 in Killarney and in collaboration with the Kerry Local Enterprise Office, titled: “Gain Competitive Advantage in Your Business”. This event will be MC’d by Karen Ronan, 2025 National Vice President of Network Ireland and CEO of Galway Chamber. This event is open to non-members and members, and everyone is welcome from 6 pm for networking and refreshments, with the event taking place from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

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