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“They are the best neighbours ever”

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BIRTHDAY WITH A DIFFERENCE: Helen McCarthy celebrated her 70th birthday in 'social distance' style with her family, friends and neighbours in Countess Grove, Killarney on Sunday. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

By Michelle Crean

Countess Grove resident Helen McCarthy is this week still elated by a birthday surprise organised by her neighbours.

The lockdown meant that she’d have no party or even a family meal to mark turning 70 – however, her neighbours had other ideas and instead surprised her on Sunday with a cake, balloon and even organised their other neighbour, photographer Eamonn Keogh, to take a photo 'social distance' style!

“They’re the best neighbours ever,” Helen told the Killarney Advertiser. “It was my COVID-19 birthday.”

She explained that the neighbours were cocooning for the last few months and every day at 12pm meet up for a natter.

“I’ve lived here for 47 years, since 1973. Philip Brady who is on the residents committee organised it and surprised me.”

Helen’s daughter Lisa, who works as a frontline nurse in the UK, had originally planned to come home for the May 3 birthday until the outbreak of the virus.

Instead she organised a Zoom call between family members, including Helen’s brother David and his family in Kilcummin, where Helen is originally from, her brother John and his family in Artigallivan, and her nephew Sean Fleming from Killarney who is now living in Australia. She also celebrated at home with her husband Dermot and sons Blaine, Andrew and Padraig.

“Friends sent cards and gifts. I thought I’d have no birthday over COVID-19 but it turned out to the best birthday ever.”

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Diabetes expert Dr Omer Taha to address local health meeting

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Consultant Endocrinologist Dr Omer Taha from the Bon Secours Hospital, Tralee, will be the guest speaker at the upcoming HeartBeat meeting on June 30.

The meeting will commence at 8pm in the Parish Centre on Park Road.

Dr Taha will speak about Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 and Type 2, detailing all diabetes-related complications.

The talk will be followed by a question and answer session, alongside tea, coffee, and biscuits. Special informational booklets from Diabetes Ireland, focused on living well with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, will also be available on the night.

All are welcome to attend.


The announcement follows last month’s meeting, which focused on the Kerry Stroke Support Group. Guest speaker Stephanie Stretton delivered a talk on stroke aftercare, recovery, and the health and wellbeing needs of survivors.


A key piece of advice highlighted was that anyone suffering a stroke while away from home in the countryside should call 112, as emergency services can track the phone location immediately to save valuable time.


The Kerry Stroke Support Group continues to hold its monthly meetings on the last Thursday of each month at the Baile Mhuire Day Centre in Tralee.


Meanwhile, HeartBeat recently received a generous financial boost. Paul Sherry, Manager of the Killarney Outlet Centre, successfully applied to the Pavers Annual Charities Funding Event on behalf of the group. As a result, Pavers London has donated £1,000 sterling, equivalent to over €1,200.

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National award for Liam O’Connor’s family band

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Killarney accordionist Liam O’Connor and his family band have won the Family Band of the Year award at the 2026 Irish Entertainment Awards.


The star-studded ceremony took place on June 18 at the Great Northern Hotel in Bundoran, County Donegal.


The annual event brings together musicians, performers, and personalities to recognise outstanding achievements across the Irish entertainment industry.


O’Connor said he was delighted and honoured to receive the accolade. During the event, the local musician shared the stage with a line-up of performers including singer Simon Casey and actor Patrick Bergin.

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