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The ultimate in feelgood magic at the Killarney Park Spa
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WANT to look and feel your best before a special occasion or simply feel like a little pampering? Then a visit to The Spa at the Killarney Park Hotel is a must.
The five-star hotel spa is always a wonderful haven and never more so than now, following a stylish refurb. To celebrate the spa’s new look, spa manager Jessica Horgan and her team are offering some really exciting summer packages. Choose from Glow, €69, and Shine, €99, or the Spa Special, €99.
The Glow package is a 40-minute treatment of choice, featuring Lime & Ginger or Massage or Booster facial followed by light lunch in the hotel’s Garden Bar.
The Shine package features a Tri Enzyme facial and back massage and also includes light lunch.
Thirdly, check out the Spa Special, which features an Elemis Biotec Firm and Lift Facial. In addition the first 30 readers to book one of these offers will receive an Elemis travel set, which feature generous-sized luxury Elemis goodies as well as a stylish purse.
The Elemis Biotec facials are ones to look out for if you have a special occasion on the horizon. Ultra-relaxing, they really live up to their billing as “results-driven” treatments.
They combine technology and the comforting magic of traditional hands-on massage and are regarded as the “next generation” of facials. Following this treatment, I drifted home from The Spa feeling super-relaxed and could definitely feel and see difference days later.
It is for this reason that many opt for this treatment prior to a big event such as a wedding, says Jessica. “The Triple-Tec Anti-Wrinkle Facial is ideal if you have a wedding coming up and is often chosen by brides and mothers-of-the-bride,” she said.
Elemis Biotec offers five standalone technologies in one machine; Ultrasonic Peel, LED Light Therapy, Galvanic Current, Microcurrent and Oxygen Infusion.
Powerful plant actives work with the body’s natural bioelectrical field and enhance the skin’s ability to rejuvenate. There are also facials tailored to sensitive and blemish-prone skin as well as a specific lifting facial. Contact The Spa at the Killarney Park on 064-6670089.
Above: The Killarney Park Hotel Spa therapists, front Jessica Horgan, spa manager, and Trish Murphy; back, Leanne Kinchella, Victoria Petraite, Jib O'Day, Victoria Khoklova. Pic: Don MacMonagle
News
Carols by Candlelight
St. Mary’s Cathedral, will be filled with music and glowing candles, as choirs from all over Killarney Parish gather for a community of voices together to celebrate Christmas […]

St. Mary’s Cathedral, will be filled with music and glowing candles, as choirs from all over Killarney Parish gather for a community of voices together to celebrate Christmas 2023, December17, at 7.00pm. Admission is free.
Ten Choirs from Killarney parish will join together and sing some of the world’s most beloved Christmas carols.
The carol service is directed by accomplished Musician and Choral Director, Paula Gleeson. Originally from Cork, her family have been involved in all aspects of choral and church music for 50 years.
“This is the best experience as director, working with Fr. Kieran O’Brien, and St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir, I get to work with so many talented people in Killarney. The commitment of Teachers, Principals, and the hundreds of students from the Primary and Secondary Schools is inspiring. The generosity of our sponsors, who were so willing to contribute has helped to make this night a reality. We are all so truly grateful,” she said.
Choirs include:
St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish Choir, organist Anita Lakner
Holy Cross Mercy School Choir
St. Oliver’s Primary School Choir
St. Brigid’s Secondary School Choir
St. Brendan’s Secondary School Choir
Killarney Harmonisers
Killarney Community College School Choir
Lissivigeen National School Choir
Gaelscoil Faithleann School Choir
Presentation Monastery School Choir
News
The same but different – A tribute to three great Irish musicians

Driving home from work last Friday, tributes for Shane McGowan were pouring out across the radio stations and while listening in, I got a strong sense of déjà vu.
It was only a few months earlier that we got the sad news that the talented Aslan front man Christy Dingham had passed away, and a short few weeks after that – Sinéad O’Connor. The loss of three iconic Irish musicians that left music fans across the country reeling.
When I think about each artist individually, their personalities couldn’t be more different. Yet, for days after the passing of the Pogues frontman, I found myself wondering why I was so drawn to all three.
And then, over the weekend I stumbled across a completely unrelated article which led with a headline:
“In a year dominated by artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and disingenuity, “authentic” has somehow emerged as Merriam-Webster’s word for 2023.”
And there was my answer. The one characteristic that embodied all three of these great Irish musicians.
It was my mother that first introduced me to Aslan’s music. She grew up during their peak and loved all sorts of rock music. I regularly watch their Vicar Street performances back on YouTube and still get mesmerised by Christy’s intense stage presence. Using elaborate hand gestures to evoke a greater meaning behind the words, he always looked like he was away in his own world. Off stage, and particularly later in his career, I admired him for his honesty when talking about his struggles with addiction and mental health. He was talking openly about these issues long before it was the norm.
Sinéad O’Connor was another original soul who, because of her talent, was catapulted into a music industry consumed by artificiality; she was almost too pure for it all. I always admired her unwavering commitment to her beliefs. Her authenticity was evident in every aspect of her artistry. The way she unapologetically embraced her shaved head and boy-ish style, she challenged conventional opinions around beauty. Her music reflected her personal struggles and she never shied away from addressing issues of social injustice, religion, and gender equality. Her stances often drew criticism and controversy, but she always remained true to herself.
Shane MacGowan will always be remembered for his unfiltered nature, and while the lyrics of many songs were dark and gritty, there was also an element of empathy and compassion in what he wrote. Like Christy, he too struggled with addiction and mental health issues throughout his career. While his demons sometimes spilled over into the public eye, his honesty and vulnerability just endeared him even more to us Irish.
So isn’t it apt in a year we lost three great musicians, the word of 2023 happens to be the one undeniable trait that they all shared. Thank you Christy, Sinead and Shane for showing us that authenticity is not just about being different to everyone else; but also about possessing the courage to challenge the established, to question the norms, and to keep going, even when the going gets tough.