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Tree of Light star to honour Rena’s memory

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A woman who dedicated much of her life to ensuring Killarney was a special place to live in and visit every Christmas is being remembered in the town in a very special way this festive season.

The feature star on the spectacular Tree of Light in Killarney takes on an extra special meaning this year as it will be dedicated to the late Rena Kennelly, the gifted artist who designed and created the magnificent Christmas crib in St Mary’s Cathedral for over 50 years.

She had been at the helm of that project every Christmas season since the Church was refurbished in the 1970s and her work was created using life-sizes figures, a striking stable full of animals, an artificial lake, fir trees and moss which she sourced herself.

Fittingly, she also helped create the state-of-the-art new crib – designed for a new generation – which was unveiled last year and she was also responsible for the design of the wonderfully atmospheric sacred space in the cathedral.

Rena, who passed away last March, lived in Aghadoe, Killarney and formerly at Cleeny, Killarney and Ballymullen, Tralee.

For her incredible dedication, she received the coveted Benemerenti Medal in August 2022 which is the highest honour Pope Francis can bestow on a person for services to the Church. She was also honoured with a civic award by Kerry County Council.

Rena worked in her earlier years as a nurse in Scotland before she met the dashing Colm Kennelly, a Trinity graduate and a fine footballer who was the youngest member of the Kerry team that won the 1953 All-Ireland.

Colm then worked as a civil engineer for the ESB in Tralee and affairs of the heart brought her home. They later moved to Guyana in South America before returning home again four years later when Colm accepted an offer to join Kerry County Council, later to become county engineer.

Predeceased by Colm, Rena is mum to daughters Shirley and Kate and son Mark.
She is greatly missed too by her daughter-in-law Paula, sons-in-law John Joe Clifford and Dan O’Driscoll, sister Margaret Moriarty, brother Gene O’Sullivan, grandchildren Jason, Kenneth, Ciara, Colm, Ailbhe, Justine and Catherine and great-grandchildren Roan and Ben.

Chairman of the Christmas in Killarney Committee, Cllr Niall Kelleher, said the star dedication was a fitting tribute to a wonderful woman who is very fondly remembered in the town.
“Rena was a wonderfully creative and gifted woman and we all saw her remarkable work in the cathedral every year,” he said.

The Tree of Light and the feature star will be officially switched on after 6.15pm Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral on Monday, 9December 2).
The 1,000ft Californian Redwood tree is adorned with over 3,500 energy efficient bulbs.
In previous years the Tree of Light star was dedicated to the memory of Johnny Hickey and Yvonne Quilll for their dedication to the Tidy Towns campaign and Paul Coghlan, who is a former President of Killarney Chamber of Commerce.

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HeartBeat to host Advanced Healthcare Directive information night

Anne O’Shea Clarke, Regional Manager of SAGE Advocacy Mid & South West Regions, will provide a comprehensive explanation of the process involved in properly creating an Advanced Healthcare Directive (AHD) […]

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Anne O’Shea Clarke, Regional Manager of SAGE Advocacy Mid & South West Regions, will provide a comprehensive explanation of the process involved in properly creating an Advanced Healthcare Directive (AHD) on Tuesday, April 29, starting at 8pm in the Parish Centre, Park Road.

An ADH is a document which sets out your instructions in relation to healthcare treatments in the future, when you no longer have the capacity to decide. AHDs are not solely relevant to older individuals. Young adults can also significantly benefit from putting these directives in place for themselves or when assisting loved ones. Attendees will gain valuable ‘Knowledge is Power; regarding legal and personal matters
The meeting will specifically look at two key application forms: the standard AHD Form and the Think Ahead / my form.
Prior to the main meeting, a Blood Pressure. and Pulse Clinic will be available from 7:15pm until 8:00pm sharp. Following O’Shea Clarke’s presentation, there will be a Question & Answer session, followed by tea and coffee.
SAGE Advocacy, the national service for older people, works to ensure access to information, support, and independent advocacy, while also providing safeguarding services across various settings, including homes, day centres, hospitals, and nursing homes.
They also support vulnerable adults and healthcare patients in situations where other services may not be available.
For further information, email anne.osheaclarke@sageadvocacy.ie or visit www.sageadvocacy.ie.

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Cahernane House Hotel continues support for Muckross Rowing Club

Muckross Rowing Club has received a welcome boost with the announcement that the Cahernane House Hotel will continue its sponsorship for the upcoming season. Emer Corridan, General Manager of the […]

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Muckross Rowing Club has received a welcome boost with the announcement that the Cahernane House Hotel will continue its sponsorship for the upcoming season.

Emer Corridan, General Manager of the Cahernane House Hotel, met with members of the the club to confirm the hotel’s ongoing and generous support.

A key aspect of this sponsorship is the continued backing of the club’s Janousek Coxed Four racing boat.

The racing boat holds special significance for the club, as it is named in honour of Kathleen Murphy, a lifelong supporter and dedicated member of Muckross Rowing Club.

Sharon Cooper, Chairperson of Muckross Rowing Club, was present at the announcement alongside club officials Sean Daly, Jeremiah Kenny, Cathal Devlin, and Kieran Murphy.

Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

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