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“Patience” the secret to 50 years marriage

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WEDDING DAY: James and Sheila Looney pictured on their wedding day in March 1971.

50 YEARS STRONG: James and Sheila Looney, Gortroe, Fossa celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the weekend.

 

 

By Michelle Crean

 

The secret to a successful and happy marriage is "patience" according to one local couple who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the weekend. James and Sheila Looney, Gortroe, Fossa may not have had the day out that they dreamed of all these years as they approached the 50 year mark - but instead a small gathering with family on Easter Saturday was just as special.

 

The couple, James originally from Park Road, and Sheila (nee Sugrue) from St Brendan's Terrace, met at a dance in the town hall in October 1967.

However, it wasn't for the love of trying to get her attention as it took a persistent James a few goes to get her to agree to dance with him.

"I asked her to dance three times but she refused," he told the Killarney Advertiser this week.

"I went back and asked her again and it worked."

The couple got engaged in 1970, and the following year married in St Mary's Cathedral on March 31.

[caption id="attachment_36970" align="alignleft" width="398"] WEDDING DAY: James and Sheila Looney pictured on their wedding day in March 1971.[/caption]

The wedding was officiated by James' brother Fr Thomas, a curate in Wembley at the time, who came home from England for their special day. Best man was Sheila's brother Teddy Sugrue, bridesmaid was James' sister Mary Looney, pageboy was Alan O'Connor and flower girl duties fell to Eileen Buckley. All enjoyed a wonderful reception in the Dromhall Hotel afterwards.

They settled in Gortroe where they raised six daughters Jacqueline, Sharon, Sandra, Allison, Siobhan and Patricia. And as James added, he was "blessed amongst women".

The weekend just gone should have been a huge celebration for their family, friends and neighbours, including those who attended their wedding all those years ago. However, COVID meant other plans had to be made.

Instead, the couple gathered at the home place in Park Road with a select few family members where their union was once again blessed by Fr Thomas. James brother Fr Donal beamed in from Sacramento in California and also gave them a special blessing, while other family members joined in online.

"Due to to restrictions it was completely curtailed," James, who said they're still madly in love today, added. "What we would have liked was to gather again with our family, neighbours and anyone who was there [at the wedding]. We'd like to thank everyone who sent cards and well wishes on our days ahead."

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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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