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Susan begins new sparkling chapter at Keanes

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Diamonds were always Susan O’Sullivan's best friend as she frequented Keanes Jewellers regularly with her wages from ‘A Touch of Class’ at the Innisfallen Mall from a very early age.

So it came as no great shock that she was the successful candidate in taking up a sales position at the popular jewellery store over 17 years ago.

And now Susan begins a new sparkling chapter as the first ever lady Store Manager taking over from Paul Trant who has 29 years service with the popular High Street shop.

She has large boots to fill but will do so with ease with her friendly smile and glamour.

Are diamonds really a girl's best friend Susan?

“I’m an employee at Keanes for 17 years now so I think it’s safe to say the most precious diamonds are the staff in the store. Keanes are a fantastic family based company. With Paul's departure, we are a team of six where Joan Lenihan is 42 years with Keanes and Breda O’Leary is 32. In addition to Breda and Joan, we have great camaraderie with Andrea McCarthy, Lauren Rintoul full-time and Emma Griffin part-time. Joan has worked with three generations of the Keane family from Paddy and Eileen, their sons Gerard and Pat and now their sons Ger and Patrick. I think that’s a fantastic testament to the family, truly a great place to work. The Cork store is 75 years in business and we are established in Killarney 45 years now.

You’ve worked in Keanes for almost half of their 45 years in existence in Killarney. I’m sure you’ve shared many special moments with customers down through the years?

“The obvious one is the excitement of a newly engaged couple. We are sometimes the first to know, before family and friends which is very special. The journey of special occasions there after is wonderful when our clients return to buy the wedding rings, the christening gifts and many other milestone gifts. Only in recent months a client returned to me to purchase an item for her graduation. I remembered piercing her ears as a child. I was thrilled this daunting experience as a child hadn’t put her off returning to Keanes,” Susan laughed.

I looked around and wanted everything in sight and wondered how Susan coped given her magpie tendencies from an early age!

"I won’t lie, it is difficult. I’m ‘invested’, what can I say,” Susan laughed. “Most of our jewellery comes from Italy and London. Just before COVID hit, in February 2020 I had the enormous privilege of travelling to Italy with the company buyer Pauline O’Callaghan which was the most amazing experience. It was great to meet all our suppliers in person and I was thrilled to bring some of the most fabulous pieces back to our clients in here in Killarney."

So what changes will the new position bring?

“Like many of my clients I have grown up with Keanes. It fits in well with my family life with my two Donal’s, senior and junior. I’ve bought my engagement ring here, my wedding ring and many other pieces since. That’s not something that will change for me. I suppose I will have a few more trips to Cork here and there and I am open to anything that comes my way in my new role but my main goal is as always looking after our fabulous clients."

On my way out I admired the fabulous selection of watches and asked if they were still a popular gift - given phones do that and more!

"Watches are as popular as they ever were yes, but the best time to go by here in Keanes is by the impeccable time keeping of another of our regulars, Connie O’Shea, our postman. He works like clock work, always on time but always time for the chats too.

“We will miss Paul lots but I’m very excited with my new role here at Keanes,” Susan concluded.

Do you think there is another 17 years in you Susan? I asked.

“That and more I hope Marie!"

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Killarney and District Motor Club members honoured by Motorsport Ireland

By Cormac Casey Several members of Killarney and District Motor Club were honoured at the Motorsport Ireland awards lunch in Dublin on Wednesday. The highlight of the event is the […]

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By Cormac Casey

Several members of Killarney and District Motor Club were honoured at the Motorsport Ireland awards lunch in Dublin on Wednesday.

The highlight of the event is the announcement of the sport’s top awards.

Kilkenny’s Jack Brennan (19) was named Young Rally Driver of the Year, while Wexford native Jack Byrne was named Young Racing Driver of the Year and the International Driver of the Year award went to recently crowned FIA Junior World Rally Champion, William Creighton.

Muckross-based co-driver Noel O’Sullivan was presented with his Irish Tarmac Rally Championship winning trophy.

This year saw the introduction of the Motorsport Ireland President’s Awards which celebrate the achievements of  clubs and organisations.

Killarney and District Motor Club won in the innovation category for their work with their KDMC 2 initiative thanks to the efforts of the club’s vice chairman Mike O’Shea.

Rally Rescue teams were also recognised and the club’s Mike Cleary picked up an award for his role he played in what was a difficult year for rescue crew operators.

Tom O’Riordan, who looks after ambulance procurement on the club’s events, was presented with an FIA Volunteer Pin by Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper.

Killarney Advertiser Journalist Sean Moriarty was presented with an award for best use of of PR and media in 2023.

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Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest ‘thank you’ event at Brehon

Participation in the 2023 Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest has grown by more than 100% since 2020 with 98% of those who gave feedback saying they would attend similar […]

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Participation in the 2023 Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest has grown by more than 100% since 2020 with 98% of those who gave feedback saying they would attend similar events again in 2024.

Feedback from more than 100 people who attended this year’s Fest events from 7th to 14th October was positive with 91% stating they were satisfied.
The Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest is held annually over the course of a week to highlight World Mental Health Day on October 10.
It aims to raise awareness of the available supports and services in Kerry as well as empower people to engage with the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ through offering a dynamic and interactive programme of events.
99% percent of respondents, most of whom identified as female, said they would recommend the Fest to friends next year. Some key notes for improvement included a request for more events with wider variety throughout the county.
The Chair of the Interagency Steering Group, John Drummey from Kerry Mental Health Association, said: “We wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to event organisers, community groups, businesses, funders and partners that facilitated the Fest’s dynamic and interactive programme of events in 2023. We are encouraged to see such growth in numbers attending the Fest events with a 50% increase from 2022. We are already making plans for the Fest from 5 to 12t October 2024 and we are looking forward to building on this year’s successes. That said, there is always room for improvement and we would welcome suggestions for new events and activities.”
Many of the event organisers attended a ‘thank-you’ event at the Brehon Hotel, Killarney, courtesy of the Kerry Volunteer Centre to coincide with the annual International Volunteer Day, December 5.
The Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest was organised by an interagency steering group made up of local agencies that support wellbeing in our community.
The organising committee is a collaboration between Connecting for Life Kerry, Healthy Kerry, Kerry County Council, Kerry Recreation & Sports Partnership, the HSE, NEWKD, SKDP, Kerry Mental Health Association, Jigsaw Kerry, Munster Technological University/Kerry, KDYS, Kerry Volunteer Centre and Family Resource Centres throughout the county.

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