News
Smiles all round as Deenagh Lodge Tea Rooms reopens
The sun and the buzz of the Bank Holiday weekend brought many visitors to the National Park where The Deenagh Lodge Tea Rooms just reopened for the tourist season.
Proudly supporting Down Syndrome Kerry, they also support local, where I enjoyed a delicious Killarney coffee and homemade apple pie.
I put in a call to Catherine Doyle who I know gives her time generously to Down Syndrome Kerry and the operation of the Deenagh Lodge Tea Rooms.
On a well deserved school break, Catherine put me in touch with Ann Ladden (Family Liaison Coordinator) and Norma Doherty (Tea Rooms Manager).
The ladies gave me the run down on operations before I had the pleasure of meeting employees James Doyle and Ann Marie Ladden.
What is the goal of the Deenagh Lodge Tea Rooms?
"The main aim here at the Deenagh Lodge is to set up training for our young Down Syndrome adults who are 18+ years, to eventually move out into mainstream work in their communities. There are approx 30 Down Syndrome adults employed at the lodge where they are all paid, working two to four hour shifts where we are now open seven days per week from 9am to 5pm. It is a fantastic facility providing a welcoming environment where they can interact with customers and gain confidence in safe surroundings. The social aspect of dealing with people is hugely important. This year there will be a Instructional Coach on board, hands on in reaching that goal of employment for our Down Syndrome adults, whose parents travel to The Deenagh Lodge Tea Rooms from as far as Listowel, Causeway, Limerick and Cork," Norma explained.
What's on the menu?
"We are fortunate to be supported hugely by the community of Killarney, tourists arriving off the horse and carts as well as tour groups in the evenings. All our produce here at the Lodge is home baked. We have hot and cold drinks, toasties, sandwiches, an array of cakes, ice cream and snacks. It's a welcome stop for dogs and their owners to rehydrate after a run or walk in the Park. Norma is a fantastic manager. She and the staff worked hard through COVID and they are the creators of the great atmosphere that is Deenagh Lodge Tea Rooms. Together with Norma and her team, the OPW work hard in making it the only facility of its kind in Kerry.
Hello James Doyle...
"I am James from Beaufort and I've been working here for five years. Some days I do two hour shifts but mostly four hour shifts. My favourite thing is the wash up, meeting people, I love carrying trays and thankfully there have been no catastrophes so far! I am lucky to have great strength to carry the trays because I go to Owen Browne for personal training at his gym 'Farm Athletic' in Beaufort," James said.
What is your dream job James?
I attended MTU in Tralee and I spent four years on the Skills4Life course there. I think if I was to pick any job in the world, I would love to go back there to work in one of their offices one day. That would be the dream."
Hello Ann Marie Ladden....
"I am Ann Marie from Castlemaine and my parents bring me to work most days. I am the same as James, I work two to four hour shifts every week. My favourite thing is making new friends here in Killarney and I love to chat to the customers. I get on well with everyone here so it has given me confidence and experience that I can do it!" Anne Marie explained.
What is your dream job Ann Marie? I think you'd make a fantastic model!
"Do you think so? Maybe I would like to be a model one day, but my dream is to become a classroom assistant. I would really love that to help people every day.
The young adults at The Deenagh Lodge Tea Rooms are paid directly by Down Syndrome Kerry. Like every young person, they love the independence of spending and learning the value of their own money. Their tips go directly to Down Syndrome Kerry where they are pooled for needed services. The artwork that hangs in the Lodge is the creation of Betty Rohan who sells her work donating a percentage to Down Syndrome Kerry. There is also a beautiful painting at the Lodge by popular local artist Phil O'Grady, currently being raffled where all the proceeds will go to Down Syndrome Kerry.
West Kerry star brings Riverdance back home
All-Ireland footballer and dancer Tomás Ó Sé will take to the stage in his home county this month when Riverdance 30 – The New Generation comes to the Gleneagle Arena.
Ó Sé, who began dancing at five with Scoil Rinceoirí na Ríochta, enjoyed a highly successful competitive career before joining the international show in 2016. His achievements include nine Munster titles and a British National title, alongside podium finishes at both the Irish and World Championships. He has since toured Europe, the United States, Canada, China, South Africa, Russia, and Dubai.
Alongside his stage career, Ó Sé boasts an extensive sporting record on the GAA pitch. He won All-Ireland Minor and Junior medals with Kerry, represented the Kerry Senior team in 2019, and secured an All-Ireland Colleges medal with Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne. Earlier this year, he claimed another national title when An Ghaeltacht won the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Football Championship.
The upcoming run features updated choreography, new costume designs, and refreshed staging to mark the 30th anniversary of the production.
Riverdance 30 – The New Generation runs at the Gleneagle Arena from September 10 to 13. Ticket details and accommodation options are available via the venue website.
Eddie Sheehy named Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian recipient
Fossa resident Eddie Sheehy, founder of The Kenya Education Project, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award.
The former St Brigid’s Secondary College teacher will receive the Humanitarian Award Scroll, Medal, and the €3,000 O’Donoghue-Ring Bursary from Mayor of Killarney Councillor John O’Donoghue at an official ceremony in Killarney on Friday, October 30.
The award commemorates the wartime legacy of Killarney native Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, whose Rome Escape Line saved over 6,000 lives in Nazi-occupied Rome during the Second World War. Following a pause since spring 2020, the annual award resumed this year under the stewardship of Kerry County Council, the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, and the O’Donoghue-Ring Collection. The selection panel selected Mr Sheehy from 22 international and domestic nominations.
Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society Chairperson Jerry O’Grady praised the selection. “Eddie Sheehy is an outstanding example of what one individual with the support of his family and friends can do to enhance the lives of the poor and marginalised in our society,” he said.
Killarney Chamber President Johnny Maguire added: “We are delighted to continue to be associated with the Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award. His humanitarian work is an inspiration to us all – particularly in these difficult times across the world.”
Accepting the honour, Mr Sheehy said: “I am humbled to accept this award on behalf of all those that have helped with the project since it began back in 2003. Our vital work with the children of Embulbul, Kenya would not have been possible without the wonderful support we receive from schools, friends and local businesses.”
The Kenya Education Project
Founded in 2003 by Eddie Sheehy and his late wife Carmella following a volunteer trip to the Nakuru diocese, The Kenya Education Project supports the underprivileged community of Embulbul, Kenya. Starting with an annual table quiz in Killarney, the initiative initially focused on funding basic educational needs for the local primary school. Over the past two decades, the project has grown to encompass school food programmes, family support initiatives, local medical services, and funding an extension to a girls’ hostel at the local school, sustained by continuous support from Kerry schools and local businesses.
Previous Award Recipients
2009: GOAL aid workers Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki, held in captivity for 108 days in Darfur.
2010: Fr Michael Sinnott, Columban missionary abducted in the Philippines who returned to service after his release.
2011: Sally O’Neill, Trócaire Director of Operations who spent 40 years aiding crisis zones worldwide.
2012: Sr Agnes Hunt, former prison chaplain at Wormwood Scrubs and volunteer for the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas.
2013: Donal Walsh (Posthumous), 16-year-old Tralee teenager who inspired peers to value human life during his battle with cancer.
2014: Dr John Beavis, orthopaedic surgeon and founder of medical charity IDEALS, serving conflict zones in Gaza.
2015: Fr Sean Myers, Killarney-born Redemptorist missionary who spent 55 years serving oppressed communities in Northeast Brazil.
2016: Fr Shay Cullen, founder of the PREDA Foundation protecting exploited women and children in the Philippines.
2017: Sr Orla Treacy, Loreto nun who established primary and secondary schools in war-torn South Sudan.
2018: Ireland’s Rescue Services, honoring the RNLI, Irish Coast Guard, and Kerry Mountain Rescue volunteer teams.
2019: Ireland’s UN Peacekeepers, recognizing Irish Defence Forces personnel serving continuous global missions since 1958.
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