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Sr Pauline left a lovely lasting legacy in Killarney

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By Sean Moriarty

The last surviving member of the McShain family, who gifted Killarney House and Innisfallen Island to the Irish State, has died.

Sr Pauline McShain, aged 91, the only child of John and Mary McShain, died last week in Philadelphia, bringing to an end the direct link between the McShain family and the American city.

 

This week, Kerry County Council opened a Book of Condolences in the reception area of the Killarney Municipal District Offices as a mark of respect.

 

John McShain was one of America’s prolific builders, active in one of the few growth areas during the Great Depression of the 1930s - government contracts.

Having earned the respect of President Roosevelt, Mr McShain won contracts to build the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, the Jefferson Memorial, the Longfellow Building, the Naval Hospital and, in 1941 the Pentagon. Under President Truman he was awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the White House 1949-1952.

Soon after John McShain purchased this estate in 1959, he arranged with the Irish government that, following his own death and that of his wife, Killarney House would become the property of the Irish State. Accepting this gift, the Irish officials agreed to preserve Killarney House and Gardens and was incorporated into the Killarney National Park. John McShain died in 1989; the death of his wife Mary occurred in 1998.

It is the end of an era for the McShain family both in the USA and in Killarney,” Margaret O’Regan of the National Parks and Wildlife Services said. “The Irish people, and especially the people of the town of Killarney, are indebted to John, Mary and Sr Pauline McShain for the wonderful ‘gift’ of Killarney House and Gardens, Ross Castle, Innisfallen Island the Middle and Lower Lakes of Killarney. [It is] their legacy for generations to come to enjoy.”

Sr Pauline kept regular updates on the restoration of Killarney House and Gardens, a place where she and her parents always referred to as their ‘Irish Home’. Up to the time of her passing she still kept in touch with Killarney and sent a lovely letter on the opening of the new Interpretative Exhibition last September.

 

 

 

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HeartBeat to host Advanced Healthcare Directive information night

Anne O’Shea Clarke, Regional Manager of SAGE Advocacy Mid & South West Regions, will provide a comprehensive explanation of the process involved in properly creating an Advanced Healthcare Directive (AHD) […]

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Anne O’Shea Clarke, Regional Manager of SAGE Advocacy Mid & South West Regions, will provide a comprehensive explanation of the process involved in properly creating an Advanced Healthcare Directive (AHD) on Tuesday, April 29, starting at 8pm in the Parish Centre, Park Road.

An ADH is a document which sets out your instructions in relation to healthcare treatments in the future, when you no longer have the capacity to decide. AHDs are not solely relevant to older individuals. Young adults can also significantly benefit from putting these directives in place for themselves or when assisting loved ones. Attendees will gain valuable ‘Knowledge is Power; regarding legal and personal matters
The meeting will specifically look at two key application forms: the standard AHD Form and the Think Ahead / my form.
Prior to the main meeting, a Blood Pressure. and Pulse Clinic will be available from 7:15pm until 8:00pm sharp. Following O’Shea Clarke’s presentation, there will be a Question & Answer session, followed by tea and coffee.
SAGE Advocacy, the national service for older people, works to ensure access to information, support, and independent advocacy, while also providing safeguarding services across various settings, including homes, day centres, hospitals, and nursing homes.
They also support vulnerable adults and healthcare patients in situations where other services may not be available.
For further information, email anne.osheaclarke@sageadvocacy.ie or visit www.sageadvocacy.ie.

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Singer-songwriter Lillie Foley releases second single

Local singer-songwriter Lillie Foley, from Whitebridge Manor, has released her second single of 2025, titled ‘That’s Life’, on all major streaming platforms. ‘That’s Life’ is described as a powerful blend […]

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Local singer-songwriter Lillie Foley, from Whitebridge Manor, has released her second single of 2025, titled ‘That’s Life’, on all major streaming platforms.

‘That’s Life’ is described as a powerful blend of pop and soul music, drawing on Foley’s own life experiences. The track marks a further step in the promising career of the emerging local artist.
Recorded at the renowned Windmill Lane Recording Studios in Dublin, ‘That’s Life’ showcases Foley’s emotive lyrics, soulful vocals, and a sound that is both modern and deeply personal. Collaborating with music producer and audio engineer Hermann Ogulla, Foley has crafted a song that blends her Irish background with contemporary musical styles, aiming to resonate with listeners in Ireland,and beyond.
Foley said: “This is a song about resilience and accepting that bad things happen in life and we just have to get on with it and move on as best we can.”
‘That’s Life’ is the second of several songs Foley has planned for release in 2025.

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