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Community sets wheels in motion to help buy wheelchair-accessible bus KILLARNEY woman Agnes Rooney decided to get in gear to take action when she discovered many members of the local community face difficulty in going about their daily lives because of the lack of wheelchair-accessible transport. Agnes is on a mission to raise funds for a bus for the Kerry Parents & Friends Association. “I have a sister, Mairead, who has intellectual difficulties, and who unfortunately lost most of her mobility a couple of years ago,” said Agnes. “She now has to have a wheelchair-accessible bus to go to work each day. I realised there was a need for funding when the bus arrived for Mairead one morning and the wheelchair access lift didn’t work. When I enquired about this, I was told that the fleet of 17 buses are deteriorating with no funding for replacement.” Agnes added: “These buses take Mairead and her friends to work, home, hospital appointments, social training, respite and holidays to name but a few. They travel all over Kerry and truly support them and their families in ways that the greater community may not understand.” The buses provide a vital service for home support, respite and everyday activities for people with intellectual disabilities all over the county, said Agnes. “We would deeply appreciate your support in helping the most vulnerable in our local community,” she added. With the help of fellow locals, including former Kerry Parents & Friends CEO Tony Darmody, Conor Hennigan, Denis Casey, Gabhan O’Loughlin and Ger Counihan, Agnes swept into action to organise a series of fundraisers. The first event, a golf classic, will take place on October 1, at Beaufort Golf Club. It is €240 for a team of four and there will be prizes galore and a raffle on the day. "Tee boxes are available and of course if you are not a golfer, all donations would be very much appreciated. Thank you to everyone for your help to date," said Agnes. Contact Agnes Rooney on 087-9865258 for further details.
New additions to Gneeveguilla National School THE Department of Education has granted approval for two special education teaching rooms at Gneeveguilla National School. The management of the school has been advised to start the process by sourcing consultants through the public tendering process. Welcoming the news, Deputy Danny Healy-Rae said: “Following my representations on behalf of Gneeveguilla National School, Rathmore, I am pleased that the Department of Education has granted approval for two permanent Special Education Teaching rooms and funding of €60,000 is being provided to facilitate this.”
At the launch of a series of charity events all in aid of a new wheelchair friendly bus was Michael Daly, Mary O'Brien, Mairead Casey, Kathleen, James Rooney, Jacinta O'Callaghan, Shauna Aherne, Avril Rooney, Tony Darmody and organiser Agnes Rooney. PICTURE: SALLY MACMONAGLE
Dóchas members take a bow in library FROM Bloomsday to Bastille Day, a production staged at Killarney Library in recent times offered audiences a feast of music, song, poetry and drama. Words and Music in the Library was the title of the series, presented by Dóchas Drama Group. “We have had the usual research on costumes, hairstyles and timelines. We have explored writings from Moliere to Eamon Kelly, songs from Thomas Moore to Ronnie Moore and poetry across the ages,” said Mary Murphy of Dóchas. “We have been reminded of the richness of literature, the entertainment value of humorous pieces and the necessity of new writing. “Our explorations in preparation for Bloomsday revealed the length, breadth and depth of the works of James Joyce. “It was special to hear Brid Sugrue read a story from the repertoire of her brother, Eamon Kelly and her own poem in his memo-
ry of him. “The members of Dóchas Drama wish to thank Eamon Browne and his staff at Killarney Library as well as the loyal audiences. It has been a great pleasure for us to have been joined by a number of our talented and professional friends along the way. “Grace Foley delighted us all with songs from her forthcoming album and some of her personal favourites. Her voice, accompanied by Noel O'Sullivan filled the room and sent us home with a song in our hearts and joy in our steps. “Sean Treacy's exceptional skill on the guitar enthralled us and reminded us, not only of the talent in our midst but of the delights and possibilities of the guitar. “Ronnie Moore, equally talented with her paintbrush, entertained us with some of her own compositions accompanying herself on guitar.”
Road repairs in Killarney
THE following works are about to commence in the Killarney town area of the Killarney Municipal District – footpath repairs at Scrahan Court (€7000), loops for the traffic lights at Woodlawn Junction (€1000), and repairs for the pedestrian crossing at the Park Road Roundabout. Welcoming the news, Councillor Michael Gleeson added he has allocated €2,000 from his councillor’s allocation towards the development of walkways in the scenic park at Cleeny. pedestrian crossing at the Park Road Roundabout.
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Killarney Advertiser 05.08.16
The Dóchas members who performed in Killarney Library.