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Tree of Light becomes Tree of Hope for January

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A spectacular 100ft century old tree embellished with 3,000 sparkling bulbs, which became the focal point of the Christmas celebrations in Killarney, will remain lit until the end of January as a gesture of hope during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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With the number of infections continuing to rise and many families encountering very worrying times, a decision was taken not to switch off the Tree of Light, on the grounds of St Mary’s Cathedral, at the close of the Christmas season.

Instead, the bulbs will continue to shine until the end of the month by which time, it is hoped, the country will be in a much better place in terms of Coronavirus numbers.
The plan to continue lighting the tree on a nightly basis was agreed by Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce and Killarney Parish Administrator Fr Kieran O’Brien and the Tree of Hope idea had been suggested by Killarney photographer, Valerie O’Sullivan, to brighten the dark nights at a time when everybody needs a boost.

“It is a spectacular sight and we hope it will continue to give the people of the town a lift in the early weeks of the New Year," ​​​​​​​newly elected Killarney Chamber President and Kerry County Council member, Niall Kelleher, said.

Cllr Kelleher said the tree project was a demonstration of the great spirit of togetherness that exists in the town and it sends out a strong message that even in very dark days, people can take hope that the light is never far away.

“Life won’t get back to normal straight away but, when it does, we will be ready. In the meantime, we must stick together, secure in the knowledge that the good days will return.”

In the early days of the pandemic last April, health care frontline staff, including a local doctor, Gardaí, Order of Malta and Civil Defence volunteers and firefighters, joined senior local authority officials and the town’s business leaders in a moving show of cross-community co-operation by gathering at the cathedral tree which was lit for one hour.

The 100-year-old Californian Redwood tree was first lit in 2000 to mark the new millennium year when it commemorated all those who lost their lives in the conflict in Northern Ireland and it was sparkling again in 2010 to remember those who had been killed on Irish roads.

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Chamber pays tribute to late Dick Henggeler

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has expressed condolences following the death of Dick Henggeler, the well-known owner of The Rose Hotel in Tralee. Mr Henggeler passed away peacefully at […]

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Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has expressed condolences following the death of Dick Henggeler, the well-known owner of The Rose Hotel in Tralee.

Mr Henggeler passed away peacefully at his home in Baltimore, USA surrounded by his Aghadoe-born wife Eibhlin (née Moriarty), their son Franz, and other family members.
Dick and Eibhlin purchased The Rose Hotel in 2015 in tribute to their late daughter Dorothy, who represented Washington DC in the 2011 Rose of Tralee Festival.
The Chamber said Mr Henggeler would be remembered for his warmth, good nature and positive approach, as well as for being a forward-thinking and knowledgeable businessman.
“He knew how to run a good hotel and that was and still is very obvious at The Rose Hotel, which is a great success story,” the Chamber said.
It added that continuity of ownership will remain in place, with Eibhlin, Franz, daughter-in-law Amber, and grandchildren Conrad and Rowan continuing to honour Dick’s legacy and vision for the hotel.
“Dick took enormous personal pride in Tralee and all of Kerry and he was always available to generously support any community initiative or endeavour undertaken in Killarney,” the Chamber said.
“He will be greatly missed by all that knew him but he leaves a wonderful legacy.”

He will repose at O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Killarney, on Friday (October 17), from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. The funeral will arrive at St Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday morning at 10:00am for Requiem Mass at 10:30am, with burial afterwards in Aghadoe Cemetery. The Requiem Mass will be live streamed at https://www.churchservices.tv/killarneycathedral.

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Beaufort Film Night returns with French drama-comedy

Beaufort Film Night will return on Friday (October 17) at Cullina National School, with a screening of the French drama-comedy The Marching Band. The film tells the story of Thibaut, […]

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Beaufort Film Night will return on Friday (October 17) at Cullina National School, with a screening of the French drama-comedy The Marching Band.

The film tells the story of Thibaut, a successful conductor recently diagnosed with leukaemia. A search for a bone marrow donor reveals that he was adopted and has a brother, Jimmy, a cafeteria worker.
The two meet, discover a shared love of music, and form a strong bond through an unexpected collaboration with Jimmy’s workplace band.
The Marching Band (French title En Fanfare) will screen at 8.30pm. Admission is €7, cash only, and will cover the motion picture licence fee.
The film has a 12A rating and is in French with English subtitles.
Beaufort Film Night is a non-profit community group that screens cultural English and international films that usually do not receive general release in Kerry.
The event is supported by Kerry County Council Arts Office and Access Cinema. Cullina National School is providing the venue.
Further details are available on Beaufort Film Night’s Facebook page @BeaufortFilmNight.

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