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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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New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

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A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.

Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.

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