Killarney Advertiser 23rd December 2020

Christmas blessing

from Fr Kieran O’Brien MICHELLE CREAN EDITOR Dear readers, For what has been the toughest year for individuals, families, and businesses we, no doubt, will be glad to see the back of 2020.

Over the next few weeks we are all looking forward to taking a break, taking stock and spending time with our loved ones as we celebrate Christmas together.

However, it will be a Christmas like no other. We're all reticent of the fact that our time together this year will be much different to times past when we gather to spend quality time together.

The team at the Killarney Advertiser want to send you our best wishes and hope that you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Stay safe.

PARISH ADMINISTRATOR • St. Mary's Cathedral We have all heard of 2020 vision, it refers to what we can see clearly from a distance. At the start of this year, we had many ideas and hopes for the year, none of us saw or thought of a global pandemic. It has been difficult and stressful for all of us. It has been particularly painful because the pandemic has kept us away from our loved ones. The parish, during the course of the year has suffered a number of sad losses. The fact that people were not able to console one another in person makes the grief more intense.

If there was one thing this pandemic has

taught us, it is the value of relationships, the value of being together in person. We think too, at this time, of the many that are not able to return home because of the restrictions.

Yet, all is not lost, the prospect of a vaccine is encouraging news, we have seen the dedication of health workers, we have witnessed heroic efforts being made by charitable causes and we have testified to beautiful deeds of kindness shown to one another. May God be with you and your loved ones this Christmas and keep us safe in 2021.

Christmas message from Cllr Brendan Cronin

Christmas message from Paul Sherry

Mayor of Killarney

Outgoing President of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce

I don’t need to remind readers that 2020 has been an extraordinary year. So many people have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic: families have been bereaved, people have been sick, jobs have been lost, commercial and social activity has been curtailed like never before.

As Mayor of Killarney, I recognise the enormous impact, in particular, on tourism and hospitality in the home of tour-

ism. It has been heart-breaking to see such a vibrant town faced with such an unprecedented challenge.

I particularly want to acknowledge the frontline staff who continue to look after those impacted by the Coronavirus and those bereaved during the year. You are all uppermost in our thoughts this Christmas. I hope you all have a safe, peaceful, holy and enjoyable Christmas.

Last March, at the time of the first lockdown, the Chamber sent out a loud and clear message to the local business community and the people of the town that we had their backs. And we did.

We in Chamber were with the people every step of the way. Our message was that we would get through this together and there will be better days ahead in this wonderful town. Now,

hopefully, there is light emerging at the end of what has been a very dark and frightfully long tunnel and, very soon, Killarney can get back to being a wonderful town to visit, to do business in and in which to live. On behalf of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, I wish everybody a happy, peaceful and safe Christmas and a prosperous, happy and safe 2021.

FRONT COVER THANK YOU: Frontline staff gathered for a special cover photo for the Killarney Advertiser's Christmas edition as we say 'Thank You' for all the extra hard work they put in this year as a result of COVID-19. Pictured were: Paudie Mangan (Killarney Fire Service), Rhonda Healy (Teacher in Holy Cross Mercy School), Sergeant Dermot O'Connell (Killarney Garda Station), Hannah Healy (Public Health Nurse), and Dr Laura Malone (Killarney GP). Photo: Micheál O’Sullivan Photography

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Week 52 • 23rd December 2020

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PAGESIX Two artists have put a splash of colour in one popular town lane way as their eye catching work was unveiled to the public this week. | By Michelle Crean

EXCLUSIVE

Artists Adam and Darren Warren (ADW) put their creative touch to the gable of a building at Clovers Lane near the Glebe car park to depict the built and cultural heritage from the industries in the lanes to the estate town and ecclesiastical heritage.

It is all part of Creative Ireland Kerry 2020 Walls Project bringing trademark high profile murals to a number of locations in Kerry and supported by the stimulus fund announced by Minister Catherine Martin.

The Walls Project, best known for managing the ground-breaking Waterford Walls festival since 2015, has been working with Kerry County Council Arts Office Creative Ireland Kerry and Killarney and Castleisland Corca Dhuibhne Municipal Districts to bring art to prominent locations in Killarney, Castleisland and Scartaglin.

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New eye catching mural brightens Clovers Lane The Arts Office and Edel Tobin of the Walls Project discussed the potential to deliver some key murals in the timeframe allowed for the stimulus fund.

"There are many layers of history and heritage in the story of Killarney; one that continues to evolve," Killarney Municipal District Cathaoirleach, Cllr.

Brendan Cronin, said.

"This mural will give an insight into some of the people of the past and how they made their living in the town of Killarney."

Eileen O’Donoghue Municipal District Office added that "it is intended this mural will enhance our sense of place and inspire further creativity in our town".

"This mural is traditional in style but we hope to follow in 2021 with a mix of style and themes to reflect modern and contemporary art as well as unique aspects of the Killarney story. We will be looking for walls and themes so if members of the public have suggestions, we are always willing to engage."

WALL ART: Artists Adam and Darren Warren putting the finishing touches to the Killarney mural with Mayor of Killarney Brendan Cronin, at the weekend. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Illegal parking prevents special needs bus from accessing St Mary's Cathedral | By Sean Moriarty

| By Michelle Crean

A specially adapted mini-bus, used for transporting people with mobility issues - was unable to gain access to St Mary’s Cathedral on Friday as a result of illegally parked cars on the school run.

Bus driver Patrick Clifford works as a care assistant for people with special needs.

On Friday last he wanted to bring three of his clients to visit the crib display at the cathedral.

His passengers were a man in his 70s that needs a zimmer frame to get around, a man in his 20s with Down Syndrome, and a man in his 50s with special needs.

On arrival at the entrance to the cathedral, he was unable to drive his mini-bus into the grounds as there were several cars parked across it.

“I asked one woman to move and she would not even roll down the window,” Mr Clifford told the Killarney Advertiser.

“I had to walk past her, supporting the man in the zimmer frame and with the

Main Street to reopen to traffic next week Main Street will reopen to traffic on Sunday morning next, December 27, Kerry County Council has confirmed.

other two holding on to me. She just sat there and watched me do it. She must be very proud of what she does.”

Friday’s incident was just another in a series of issues related to illegal parking near the schools at New Road.

The street provides access to three secondary schools, two primary schools and one special needs facility – bringing an estimated 2,800 users to the area on a daily basis.

There has been several calls for the Gardai and Traffic Wardens to take action against illegally parked motorists in the

area.

Last month the Council promised to change the rota of traffic wardens so they could monitor the area.

Other issues include cars parking on the footpath, forcing pedestrians and wheelchair users on to streets full of live traffic.

Last Thursday was also particularly bad with at least seven different cars parked on footpaths and double yellow lines at school pick-up time.

“It’s a disgrace - one was completely on the footpath,” he added. “It was just left there - they had abandoned it.”

The news comes after an investment of €100,000 was made to upgrade the road in October with the repair and replacement of the granite paving blocks on the carriageway along the street.

The works, which are part of the agreed Killarney Municipal District Works Programme for 2020 took place in phases over several weeks with every effort made to limit disruption to local businesses, shoppers and pedestrians.

The original granite brick surface on Main Street was over a decade old and the commitment to repair the road surface was contained in the recently adopted Works Programme for 2020.

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Stranded in London for Christmas | By Sean Moriarty A London-based Killarney nurse still does not know if she can make it home in time for Christmas.

GOING HOME: Ronan Foley pictured with medical staff as he prepares to leave Crumlin Children's Hospital to return home in time for Christmas.

Ronan's home in time for Christmas It was the best present the Foley family could have ever wished for - having Ronan home in time for Christmas. | By Michelle Crean

EXCLUSIVE

The 15-year-old, who underwent hours of spinal surgery weeks ago to correct a 130 degree curve in his spine which he had waited almost two years for - finally got his wish to be at home with his family by Christmas.

His father Tony this week told the Killarney Advertiser that "it's like a weight has been lifted" off of the family.

"Each day he's getting better and better," Tony said. "It's like a fog has lifted for us.

His weight is up to what it was before and he's singing again. He's back to his old self and we couldn't have asked for more."

Ronan underwent the operation three weeks ago, but is recovering faster than the family ever expected.

"He's is a bit sore but he's doing really well. He's now sitting up straight for up to two hours a day."

Tony explained that Ronan now has a 25

to 30 degree curve in his spine following the procedure.

"It's undetectable. It was 130 degrees when he got the surgery done - we only found this out the day after his operation."

It's now hoped, depending on restrictions in place and Ronan's progress that he can go back to St Francis Special School in the New Year.

"It's all COVID dependent. He'll have six weeks recovery by then and he has an appointment to review everything in Crumlin in January," Tony said.

And he added that he'd like to thank everyone who helped them publicise their campaign for 'Ronan's Op Now'.

"There's too many to thank individually but we couldn't have done it without everyone's support. Also, a huge thanks to Pat Kiely, Ronan's surgeon, and all his team in Crumlin."

Linda Daly, from Mangerton, is an ICU nurse at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.

She was due to finish her final night-shift of the year in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday) and was booked on the final Ryanair flight into Kerry Airport, from Luton, tomorrow (Christmas Eve).

The Irish Government placed a ban on air and ferry passenger traffic to and from Britain on Sunday night.

Even if the travel ban is lifted in time for Christmas, Ryanair has already advised customers to prepare for the worst.

It is this uncertainty that is causing Linda, who has been living in London for nearly four years, the most amount of stress.

“There was light at the end of the tunnel when they opened up the whole place in early December and it gave us all hope that we could get home,” she told the Killarney Advertiser. “But now we have no idea where this will end.”

ALTERNATIVE PLANS

Resigned to the fact that she will not get home in time to spend Christmas with her parents Breda and Sean, sister Hannah and brother Daniel, she is already making alternative plans.

She shares a flat in East Dulwich with a County Kildare nurse and the two of them and third friend will celebrate Christmas dinner together.

“I was half-expecting the bad news. I sent my Christmas presents home by courier and they should be arriving any day now, so at least I will be there is spirit,” she added.

PACK OR UNPACK: Linda Daly from Mangerton does not know if she will make it home from London in time for Christmas.

Usually, thanks to the brilliant services operated by both Ryanair and Kerry Airport, Linda would get home at least six times a year.

She made it home in September for a three-week break, which included two weeks of isolation but she has no idea when she is likely to make it home again should, as expected, the Christmas Eve flight gets cancelled.

“It is very uncertain,” she added. “Things are going to get a lot worse before they get better.”

She has witnessed first-hand the difficulties medical staff face every day and it angers her to see people disrespecting the rules in terms of social distancing and basic hygiene standards.

“We have a dedicated COVID-19 ward, staff are redeployed from other departments, they are inexperienced and unable to cope. It is very stressful,” she added. “People think it won’t happen to them and they act like they don’t care.”

It's beginning to look a lot like lockdown | By Sean Moriarty Hotels and guesthouses are extremely concerned about the financial impact of yesterday's decision (Tuesday) by the Government to bring forward the reintroduction of COVID-19 restrictions.

The hotels sector will now be in effective lockdown from December 27 - over a week earlier than expected.

Hospitality sector operators in Killarney say they are tired of the Government’s “in and out and up and down” approach to COVID-19 restrictions.

The Irish Government announced yesterday (Tuesday) a range of new restrictions

just as the Killarney Advertiser prepared to go to press early to meet Christmas deadlines.

By late afternoon, businesses in the hospitality sector were left reeling from the official Government announcement which effectively closes the food sector from 3pm on Christmas Eve and the accommodation sector from St Stephen's Day. As expected, the Government followed the National Public Health Emergency Team’s (NPHET) advice and placed the country in another Level 5 lockdown until January 12 - ending the festive season for the entire country.

Hotel operators in Killarney and Kerry were frustrated that it took the Govern-

ment so long to make the call following a rise in COVID-19 cases in Ireland since last week.

It is this uncertainty that is causing the most amount of stress for local hospitality providers.

They need to arrange staff rotas, order in food and drinks – a situation further complicated by some suppliers who will not allow a sale or return service.

“I cannot understand why the guidelines are not clear and concise,” Bernadette Randles, Chair of the Kerry Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation, told the Killarney Advertiser.

She is facing the difficult task of not knowing if she should tell her staff if they have a job or not.

“It is a few days before Christmas Eve. This [staff decisions] is the hardest part for me,” she added.

Adding to her call for better communication from the Government she said: “There needs to be clear decision making – even if that means closing the entire hospitality sector until March – then make that decision and compensate the staff and business owners. But this in and out and up and down approach is helping no-one.”

Other measures coming into force include the extension of an airline passenger ban from the UK. That was due to expire last night (Tuesday) but it has been extended until at least December 31.

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Marks & Spencer donate much needed funds to Pieta Paul Daly Manager of M&S Store Deerpark Shopping Centre presented a cheque of €1,630 to Pieta Kerry as part of their continued support of the service.

HELPING: The children and staff from Fossa National School pictured with members of the Gardai who visited the school last week to thank them for taking part in the 'Christmas Together' campaign.

Fossa kids get in the spirit of giving

M&S are charity partners of Pieta but Paul, the staff and customers in their store in Killarney, go above and beyond doing their own fundraising every year.

"The money was raised in store by both the staff and customer' dona-

tions," Paul told the Killarney Advertiser.

"Pieta is one of our chosen charities for the past number of years which we are very proud to be linked in with. Funds that we raise in Killarney M&S go directly to their office in Tralee which helps all of Kerry."

"We are so grateful especially this year, so thanks to everyone who supported Pieta in M&S Killarney," Con O'Connor from Pieta said.

The spirit of giving is very strong at Fossa National School as children gathered gifts to give to other this Christmas. | By Michelle Crean In the leadup to the Christmas holidays the boys and girls in Third and Fourth Class worked together with their teachers/SNAs in conjunction with local members of the Gardaí to put together gifts for the 'Christmas Together' campaign in aid of supporting the senior members of society, health care staff, nurses, carers and Health Care Assistants.

"Members of Killarney Gardaí visited Fossa National School on Tuesday, December 15 to collect the gifts donated and created by the boys and girls," John Burke, principal of Fossa National School told the Killarney Advertiser.

CHEQUE: The team in Marks & Spencer handed over a cheque of €1,630 to Pieta House from funds collected in the store. Pictured are: Con O'Connor from Pieta , Donal Casey and store manager Paul Daly.

SURPRISE: Children from Maggie's Montessori Preschool received a Zoom call from Santy recently. Santy was so impressed by the little boys and girls that he decided to pay them a surprise visit the following week.

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Compassionate nurse dedicated to her patients | By Michelle Crean While most will be tucking into the turkey and ham on Christmas Day - many compassionate frontline workers will be on duty helping others.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS: David Richards and Nikita Gamble from Milltown are delighted to have baby Jack home from hospital this Christmas.

Pleas for families to have organ donation conversation

Public Health Nurse Anne-Marie Byrne, who works at St Anne's Health Centre on St Margaret's Road, will be one of those dedicated to her patients.

Essential worker Anne-Marie, after discussing the options with her team, opted to remain working and will call to her patients.

The compassionate carer told the Killarney Advertiser this week that she doesn't mind and will put her Christmas plans on hold to help her patients.

"Christmas to us is like any other day," Anne-Marie, who lives in Glenbeigh, told

the Killarney Advertiser.

"Patients still need the care and support of nurses. Sickness doesn't go away just because it's Christmas. I would like to think if it were me or my family who were sick that the services would be there."

And it's not the only sacrifice she has made this year as Anne-Marie, who is originally from Kinnity in Co Offaly has only been home once this year and was hoping to jump into the car after work on Christmas Day to see her family.

However, due to the latest increase in COVID numbers and restrictions announced yesterday (Tuesday) she now cannot travel home.

"I'll miss my family, especially Santy with my nieces."

She added that the team at St Anne's Health Centre wish everyone a healthy and happy Christmas.

A young couple whose one-year-old son is waiting for a kidney transplant are calling on families to have an organ donation conversation while they are together over Christmas. | By Sean Moriarty David Richards and Nikita Gamble from Milltown are the proud parents of baby Jack and are preparing to spend their first Christmas as a family unit without the stress of continuous hospital visits after Jack was allowed dialysis treatments from home.

While Jack’s home treatment is only the start of a long-road for the young family, it does allow them to enjoy Christmas together.

They will have to wait another two to three years for Jack to be strong enough to receive a kidney donation.

He wants people to have that conversation and be prepared if it ever happens to them.

“You never know when it is one of your own,” he told the Killarney Advertiser.

“Neither Nikita or myself have a family history of kidney and renal failure – have that chat – it could save a life.”

David and Nikita say they are forever grateful for the support they received from the Irish Kidney Association and the Ronald McDonald House over the last year.

Their story began in November 2019 when Jack was born. Aware that their son was going to be born with renal failure, it was a difficult time for the family.

“The Irish Kidney Association (IKA) reached out by offering me a room in

their house in Beaumont. They basically gave me the key of the house and told me to stay there as long as I needed,” said David.

COMPLICATIONS

Their situation got even more complicated at the start of this year when COVID-19 raised its ugly head in Ireland.

Jack was still in and out of hospital often spending weeks at a time in the Crumlin Children’s Hospital. At the same time the IKA turned its family house in Beaumont into temporary accommodation for frontline medical workers in Dublin. Still, IKA came up trumps again and offered the family hotel accommodation close to Dublin Airport.

“That took the financial stress out of the whole thing,” added David. “The IKA were there for us.”

Jack is preparing for his first Christmas at home but the family’s greatest gift of all came in late October when they were able to start home dialysis for their infant son.

It is not easy but it is better than weeklong trips to hospitals in Dublin.

And even then, the IKA did not forget.

Theresa Looney from the local branch of the IKA regularly checks in on the family to make sure everything is OK. “They are very good to us,” David added.

“We would like to thank them from the bottom of our hearts.”

COMPASSIONATE: Public Health Nurse Anne-Marie Byrne who works at St Anne's Health Centre will be on duty on Christmas Day. Photo: Michelle Crean

€200,000 enhancement works near Killarney National Park | By Michele Crean An investment of €200,000 at five locations near Killarney National Park includes the completion of works to a number of parking areas and lay-bys near Killarney National Park on the Killarney-Kenmare Road.

“These works have improved parking facilities and access to trails including Dinis and the Cardiac Steps in Killarney National Park. These are some of the busiest parking areas used for accessing the National Park and it is imperative that we have safe and accessible infrastruc-

ture to allow people to enjoy and explore the National Park," Cathaoirleach of Killarney Municipal District, Councillor Brendan Cronin, said.

“This year has taught us the value of the outdoors and projects such as these, which improve and enhance access to outdoor infrastructure, are more important than ever.”

The works, involving an investment of €200,000 at five locations, were funded under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme of the Department of Rural and Community Development and were carried out in conjunction with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

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Lotto double with two Kerry winners from Saturday's draw Christmas came early for two lucky Lotto players in Kerry after Saturday's €3.6 million Lotto draw produced a Lotto Plus 2 top prize winner of €250,000 and another Match 5 + Bonus prize winner of €59,099.

GENEROSITY: Paula, Aoife and Siobhan McSweeney presented €7,000 to Kerry Hospice Foundation staff Maura Sullivan and Mary Shanahan. Photo: Brendan Crean

Family mark difficult year with amazing generosity

These Kerry ticket holders weren’t the only big Lotto winners as a further 92 players throughout the country won a share in a special €1 million Lotto Plus Raffle top up, worth €11,370 each.

The National Lottery has confirmed that the Lotto Plus 2 top prize of €250,000 was won by an online player in Kerry and they are now encouraging all online players in the Kingdom to check their emails to see if they are the

lucky winner of this prize.

Lotto players in Tralee have also been urged to check their tickets from Saturday night’s draw after another player narrowly missed out on the €3,644,851 jackpot prize on offer but scooped the €59,099 Match 5 + Bonus prize instead. The winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased on the day of the draw at An Post on Edward Street in Tralee.

The winning numbers from Saturday night’s Lotto draw are: 09, 14, 16, 28, 33, 38 and the bonus number is: 22.

The winning numbers for Saturday night’s Lotto Plus 2 draw which are worth €250,000 to one lucky online player in Kerry are: 11, 16, 24, 25, 29, 34 and the bonus number is: 19.

One Killarney family gave a Christmas present that won’t be forgotten to the Kerry Hospice Foundation - a cheque for €7,000! | By Sean Moriarty The McSweeney family, Siobhan and her daughters Paula Horan and Aoife Cowley, raised the staggering amount for the foundation in memory of their husband and father Donal McSweeney.

The funds will go to the Kerry Hospice Foundation to be used by the Palliative Care Unit at the University Hospital Kerry.

Donal, who was affectionately known as 'Dodo', passed away just over a month ago after a long battle with oesophageal cancer.

Late of Gneeveguilla and Kilcummin he was well-known in country music circles in the region.

“He was the best father and husband we could ever ask for," Paula said. "We always felt like his number one. We will always have very fond memories of him especially music sessions and ‘sing songs’.

He played with country music for most of his life. Music was his passion and he always brought families together with his guitar. ‘Dodo’ was at home during most of his illness, however, the last couple of weeks we were unable to manage his symptoms at home."

However, it was made a little easier with the fantastic services he received from Dr Margaret Clifford and the palliative team

in Killarney and Tralee, she added.

“Dad always said he is happy he got ill rather than us. This was an example of his selfless personality. It was a hard journey to go through with dad. His room in Tralee was like a “home from home” and we are so grateful we were with him during his final peaceful moments. Dad always said about the nurses that visited him and the staff in the palliative care team that they were “tops”. I got to play the piano for him one last time at the centre. Dad was able to open and close windows with the touch of a button from his bed, adjust the temperature of the room and listen to music. It was so nice to be able to visit dad and know he was receiving the very best of care. He was always treated with respect and dignity. He had his first jacuzzi there and really enjoyed it. We are so lucky to have such fantastic people working here and a fantastic facility in Kerry,” added Paula.

It was a very difficult year for the McSweeney family, Dodo’s sister Joan McCullough passed away in Boston after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Siobhan’s brother Seamus O’Connor, the well-known owner of Kitty O’Se’s restaurant in Killarney also passed away in the late spring.

Killarney pupils art to feature in Road Safety Calendar | By Michelle Crean The art work of two creative Killarney school pupils has been chosen to feature in next year's Kerry County Council Road Safety Calendar.

The month of January will feature the a safety message from Aoibhe O’Donoghue from Sixth Class in Lissivigeen National School, while Evan Cahill, a Sixth Class pupil from Kilgobnet National School will have his work represented for the month of March.

The pandemic did not stop Kerry County Council’s annual Road Safety Calendar Art Competition from taking place this year with over 500 entries received from primary school children around

the county, demonstrating their artistic skills and their ambition to highlight the important message of road safety.

In previous years, the winning students would be invited to attend at County Buildings, Tralee and prizes would be presented by the Mayor of Kerry.

As this was not possible this year, in the interests of health and safety for all, Council staff arranged for prize boxes to be delivered this week to the school of each of the winning pupils.

Mayor Cllr Patrick Connor-Scarteen expressed congratulations to all the winners and the participants and a big thank-you to the teachers and students who took part this year.

The 2021 Road Safety Calendar is available to download from Kerry County Council’s website: www.kerrycoco.ie.

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Pupils surprise with Christmas dance | By Michelle Crean Sixth Class pupils put on quite a show - and it brought joy to some Killarney locals last week.

TEAM WORK: Spa GAA Club's Field Committee members Michael Cronin, Paddy O'Keeffe, Sean Devane and Paddy B Lynch hard at work preparing the new walking track.

The children from Holy Cross Mercy School made a number of trips to the windows of Holy Cross Mercy Convent on Rock Road as well as St Columbanus Nursing Home last Tuesday.

The children had great fun preparing a COVID-safety friendly socially distanced dance and variety performance for the Mercy Sisters and the residents and staff of St Columbanus Nursing Home over the

past few weeks, Rhonda Healy, Apple Teacher at Holy Cross Mercy School explained to the Killarney Advertiser.

"The 20 minute al fresco show featured some dancing to Christmas music including a brush dance to 'Jingle Bells' as well as a magic show. They delivered some festive cards and posters also while on their brief visit. The spirit of Christmas is truly alive in Killarney with the feel good factor in full swing for these girls from Sixth Class. We hope to be able to visit in person to carol sing for Christmas next year please God. Wishing everyone a happy and safe Christmas full of the hope, peace, joy and love of the season."

New walking track for Spa GAA Club

A new paved walking track on the perimeter of Spa GAA Club’s grounds is nearing completion and should be open just in time for traditional New Year fitness programmes. | By Sean Moriarty A temporary walking track has existed on the club’s playing pitches since early 2019 but the club officials wanted to make it a more permanent structure.

Now, thanks to funding by the Kerry County Council Community Support Fund, the new paved track is taking shape.

“The first track was around the property boundary and was a temporary trail, part grass, part stone and part paved road,"

Deirdre O'Sullivan Darcy, Spa GAA PRO, told the Killarney Advertiser.

"Although the pathway, which runs almost 1km all the way around, was easy to follow, the surface of the path needed work. Our field committee have been busy recently working on creating a new walking track in Spa. The idea of a walking track first came about in early 2019 when some of our wonderful volunteers signed us up to take part in RTE’s ‘Operation Transformation’ campaign in conjunction with the GAA, called ‘Ireland Lights Up’.”

CHEQUE FOR PIETA: In lieu of Christmas Gifts this year, Muckross Park Hotel as part of The iNua Collection group have decided to donate to very worthy local charities throughout Ireland. The team at Muckross Park Hotel have chosen Pieta House as their local charity. Pictured are: Frits Potgieter (General Manager of Muckross Park Hotel) along with Con O’Connor (Fundraising Manager of Pieta House). "On behalf of everyone in Pieta we would like to thank Frits and all of the staff for choosing Pieta as their charity for 2020, this year especially it's is very much appreciated," Con said.

DANCE FUN: Children from Holy Cross Mercy School danced for the residents of Holy Cross Mercy Convent as well as St Columbanus Nursing Home.

CHRISTENING DAY: Eoin O'Donoghue and Louise Cassidy from Headford pictured at the christening of their son Fergal. Also pictured are Roger O'Donoghue, his wife Mary R, Donnacha Cassidy, and Daniel O'Donoghue.

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A thousand Christmas books to be donated

by Kerry libraries Kerry Libraries are this week donating one thousand books to children living in Direct Provision Centres in the county as well as children using the services of Family Resource Centres throughout Kerry.

The Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Patrick Connor-Scarteen launched the initiative at Killarney Library on Thursday.

The initiative has been made possible with funding provided by Kerry County Council and the Dormant Accounts Scheme 2020 to support services for marginalised, socially excluded and disadvantaged communities.

“It is hoped that this will introduce families to the concept of sharing a bedtime story this Christmas and that it will promote a long-term interest and love of

reading and a future ongoing contact with library services,” County Librarian Tommy O’Connor said.

Cllr Connor-Scarteen commended the work of Kerry Library in rolling out the initiative which he said was a wonderful seasonal boost for many families and children in particular at Christmas.

Kerry Library is also delivering the 'Family Time with the Library' programme with the aim of supporting the involvement of the whole family in children’s reading. Children can register and agree to read six books, e-audio or e-books during the month. All who complete the programme will receive a library book bag which will include a selection of books. Family events and activities will take place online at www.kerrylibrary.ie.

All Kerry libraries are promoting the programme to library users, schools and parents/guardians.

BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS: Kerry Libraries are donating one thousand books to children living in Direct Provision Centres in the county as well as children using the services of Family Resource Centres throughout Kerry. The Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Patrick Connor Scarteen (centre), launched the initiative at Killarney Library on Thursday. Also included is Eamon Browne (Head Librarian Killarney), Kayleigh Power (Ballyspillane Resource Centre), Bethany Wynne-Morgan (KASI), and Anne Fitzgerald (Project Coordinator Kerry County Library). Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

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THANK YOU: Maureen Murphy from St Columbanus Home, Tom Brosnan from Civil Defence, Caroline Daly from Deer Lodge, Aideen Moynihan from Killarney Water Rescue, Paudie Mangan, Killarney Fire Service, Rhonda Healy a teacher in Holy Cross Mercy School, Sergeant Dermot O'Connell Killarney Garda Station, Public Health Nurse Hannah Healy, Dr Laura Malone Killarney GP, and Colm Burke from Kerry Mountain Rescue Team.

Thank you to our frontline staff Their jobs are not jobs - but a true vocation - that is what we have all witnessed this year - as our frontline staff and volunteer groups dedicated themselves to the service of others. | By Michelle Crean Doctors, nurses, health care staff, gardai, fire personnel, voluntary groups and the many many others, have faced 2020 and the global health crisis that is COVID-19 with courage.

To say that this has been one of the most difficult years ever would be an understatement - so this year we decided as our Christmas cover photograph to dedicate it to them.

This time last year we were all facing a "normal" Christmas. No one could have foreseen what was to come.

In January, the Killarney Advertiser was one of the first publications nationally to feature a story in our Home & Away

section about a virus in Wuhan, China, which was spreading rapidly throughout the country. And again in February we did a second article - but little did we - or anyone else for that matter - ever think that this would challenge the world on the huge global scale that continues to affect almost every country to its core.

We have seen those on the frontline day in and day out face this adversity with such strength; forgetting themselves and putting the health of others first without hesitation.

As a small token, we thought we'd feature just some of the local frontline staff and volunteers who all make our lives safer. So, to them, and to those we haven't mentioned, we'd like to say a huge

'THANK YOU' for your service.

As we move into tighter restrictions over the coming days and weeks to try to bring the rising numbers down, stay safe, keep an eye on your elderly family members, friends and neighbours. We also thank you, our loyal readers who have made the Killarney Advertiser 'No 1 For News'. And, we will continue to bring you the latest breaking local stories, sports, photos, ads and offers in 2021.

All the best for the festive season and the New Year.

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Harry Bolger and Oisin Fleming (Second Year), Peter Walsh (Fifth Year), Ben Flavin (Sixth Year), Timmy Moynihan and Dara O'Shea (Third Year), and Tadg Wubesthet (First Year).

Combined effort raised over €4k for cancer charity

Six schools had one mission on their minds on Friday - to fundraise as much as they could for a Kerry charity. | By Michelle Crean Staff, students and pupils at The Sem, St Brigid's, Killarney Community College, Holy Cross Mercy, Presentation Monastery, and St Francis Special School combined their efforts and donned jumpers at school for their annual Christmas Jumper Day. And the day was a real success, according to teacher Elaine Moynihan who said that so far they have raised over €4,000 for this year's charity, the Palliative Care Unit in UHK. "We were thrilled with the amount donated, especially considering how tough the year has been for families across the country, and there is still money from one school to come in," Elaine told the Killarney Advertiser.

"It just confirms the power of community and the potential for young people to do good and make a positive difference in the lives of others."

Brian McCarthy from St Brendan's Col-

lege added that they "are extremely grateful to all the other schools for getting involved and making such an effort for this great cause".

"The Killarney campus really pulled together for a very special cause and we are so glad to be able to hand this money over to the Kerry Hospice Foundation this Christmas," added Tomás Clifford from St Brendan's College.

"We are very proud of all our classmates and all the other students across the six schools for helping us make this day a success," Senan O'Leary from St Brendan's College said.

Elaine added she's proud of the students from The Sem who organised the event.

"This is a very important facility; one which, like many others across the country, has seen its fundraising activities hit hard by the COVID crisis. I'm very proud of the boys for their efforts as it'll make such a difference to those using the service."

St Brigid's students Fiona O'Leary, Carlisle Caffrey, Saoirse Murphy, Lily Rose Guerin, and Lucia Kelliher.

John Daniel McElligott, Ryan Looney and Abdul Raqshan.

St Brigid's teachers Alice Quiltar, Sinead Collins, Marko Tot, and Catherine O'Donoghue.

Isabelle Oum, Ben O’Connor, Lizzie Linehan and James Lyons.

St Brigid's students Sarah Reidy, Liadh Beazley, Ciara White and Yen Leniston.

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TOBA SPECIALS*(for take away only) The €40 Classic

Two starters, Two mains & bottle of wine

Deliveries from 4.30pm daily Vegan Option available

Gluten Free

A Little Kick

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Gluten Free adaptable

Medium Spice

Very Spicey

(available upon request)

€50

Two starters, Two mains & 4 cocktails of your choice

The Toba Party Night

€100

Six starters & Six mains *€2 supplement for all duck

& prawn main dishes

NOODLES DISHES €2.95

Prawn Crackers

STARTERS Thai Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls Thai sweet chili sauce

€5.50

Duck Spring Rolls (Thai) Hoi Sin dipping sauce

€6.50

Sticky Asian Chicken Wings (Thai)

€5.95

Chicken Satay skewers (Maylasian)

€5.95

Crispy Prawns (Thai) Thai sweet chili sauce

€7.50

Crispy Pork Ribs in Aromatic Sauce (Thai)

€6.95

Aromatic Duck Pancakes Hoisin sauce, cucumber, carrot and spring onion

€7.95

Vietnamese Prawn Rolls Fresh mint, coriander, basil and carrot wrapped in rice paper, served with a hoi sin dipping sauce

€7.50

Toba Shared Platter for 2 veg rolls, wings, crispy prawns and satay skewers

€13.95

Tom Yum Noodle Soup A light Asian broth soup with vermicelli rice noodle, mangetout, carrot, spring onion, broccoli and fresh chili with chicken €6.95 | tofu €6.95 | prawns €7.95

RICE DISHES Nasi Goreng Indonesian fried rice cooked in a sweet soya sauce with garlic, ginger, spring onion, carrot, green beans, white cabbage, beansprouts and topped with a fried egg. Served with a skewer of Chicken Satay with chicken €12.50 | tofu €12.50 | beef €13.50 | prawns €14.50 Thai Fried Rice – Khao Pad A Toba favourite. Fried rice cooked in our Toba soyasauce with roasted cashews, carrot, white cabbage, spring onion, broccoli and peppers. with chicken €11.95 | tofu €11.95 | beef €12.95 | prawns €13.95

CURRIES

starters, Two mains & 2 prosecco snipes

Two kids meals, Two mains & bottle of wine

* All of our dishes are made specific to order and can be altered to suit your spiciness requirements.

NIBBLES

The The Prosecco€45 Cocktail €50 Night Party Two

All Curries served with a bowl of basmati rice

Thai Green Curry Toba’s classic green curry is one of our customer favourites full of traditional exotic thai ingredients with mangetout, carrots, mixed peppers, tomato, spring onion, Chinese leaves with chicken €12.95 | tofu €12.95 | beef €13.95 | prawns €14.95 Thai Red Curry Our delicious homemade red curry from chili paste, coconut milk, lemongrass, lime leaves with mangetout, carrots, mixed peppers, tomato, spring onion and chinese leaves with chicken €12.95 | tofu €12.95 | beef €13.95 | prawns €14.95 Indonesian Rendang Curry This light refreshing sweet curry is a must try for all our customers. A coconut milk based curry full of exotic Asian spices (star anise, cumin, coriander, cardamon pods lime leaves and many more) with green beans, potato, white onion, carrots, peppers with chicken €12.95 | tofu €12.95 | beef €13.95 | prawns €14.95 Singapore Curry A rich flavoursome slow cooked curry with potatoes, carrots, green beans, white onion and peppers…one to watch! with chicken €12.95 | tofu €12.95 | beef €13.95 | prawns €14.95

Pad Thai Noodle Thai Classic and hugely popular. Flat rice noodles fried with egg, beansprouts, spring onion, peppers, carrot, chinese leaves cooked in our delicious light Toba sauce. Served with a fresh lime wedge and crushed roasted peanuts. with chicken €11.95 | tofu €11.95 | beef €12.95 | prawns €13.95 Singapore Noodles Another classic. Egg noodles with peppers, carrots, bok choi, beansprouts, spring onion, egg. Served with a Chicken Satay skewer. with chicken €12.95 | tofu €12.95 | beef €13.95 | prawns €14.95 Indonesian Satay Noodles A delicious light creamy curry satay sauce with flat rice noodles, spring onion, bok choi, white cabbage, broccoli, beansprouts topped with roasted crushed peanuts with chicken €12.95 | tofu €12.95 | beef €13.95 | prawns €14.95

SALADS Vietnamese Rice Noodle Salad Rice noodles, salad leaves, mint, basil and coriander, carrot, beansprouts, cucumber slices, roasted peanuts. Vietnamese salad dressing. with chicken €9.95 | prawns €11.95

STIR FRIES

All Stir Fries served with a bowl of basmati rice

Sweet and Sour Chicken €12.95 Lightly coated crispy chicken cooked in our unique and extremely popular Malaysian Toba sweet and sour sauce with pineapple, garlic, spring onion, carrots, mangetout, mixed peppers and tomato. with tofu €12.95 | beef €13.95 | prawns €14.95 Chilli and Basil Stir Fry This Thai stir fry with toasted chili paste, garlic, peppers, carrots, spring onion, cabbage, green beans, broccoli, mangetout, fresh chilli and Chinese leaves cooked in our fresh basil flavoured Toba stir fry soya sauce. with chicken €11.95 | tofu €11.95 | beef €12.95 | prawns €13.95 Crispy Duck in Plum Sauce Thai Crispy roast duck on a bed of lightly stir fried crunchy vegetables finished with plum sauce drizzled all over

€14.95

€13.95 Crispy Chilli Beef Stir Fry Our light coated crispy beef cooked in a combination of our Toba special sauce combined with a spicy sweet chilli sauce with peppers, carrots, spring onion, bokchoi, green beans, broccoli, mangetout, dried chilli and Chinese leaves. with chicken €12.95 | prawns €14.95 Dried Chilli Stir Fry with Roasted Cashews and Asparagus A delightful light Thai stir fry full of flavour. Roasted Cashew nuts, garlic, dried chillies, asparagus, peppers, carrots, spring onion, bokchoi, green beans, broccoli, mangetout and Chinese leaves cooked with our delicious homemade garlic and coriander paste with chicken €12.95 | tofu €12.95 | beef €13.95 | prawns €14.95 Toba Roast Duck Stir Fry €14.95 Wok fried crispy duck cooked in a light tasty basil sauce with broccoli, mangetout, white cabbage, bokchoi, green beans and spring onion with fresh chilli on top Satay Stir Fry Our own special Toba Indonesian satay stir fry with our delicious light creamy peanut sauce full of flavours with mixed peppers, onion, carrot and green beans with chicken €12.95 | tofu €12.95 | beef €13.95 | prawns €14.95 Thai Black Bean Stir Fry A dark rich sauce with black beans, bamboo shoots, mixed peppers, onions, green beans, carrot, mushrooms, beansprouts and fresh chilli. with chicken €12.95 | tofu €12.95 | beef €13.95 | prawns €14.95

WALK-INS WELCOME. FOR BOOKINGS CALL 064 663 5279 or email killarney@toba.ie

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Santa's special message to the children of Killarney His magic bag is almost packed and the big man in red is ready to fly around the world to deliver presents to millions of children - and he has this week confirmed that Killarney will be one of his stops.

This week editor of the Killarney Advertiser Michelle Crean made a very special phone call to the North Pole to check if Santa Claus is ready to go - and he confirmed that he is!

Santa was in great form and said that all the toys are made by his team of creative elves and that the reindeer - including the very special Rudolf - are doing the final checks today.

However, he has asked us to let the boys and girls know that they have to be in bed extra early and be good for

SPECIAL DELIVERY: Santa has confirmed to the Killarney Advertiser this week that he's ready to deliver the toys to the children of Killarney on his travels around the world on Christmas Eve.

the next few days.

And he told us that a naughty little elf last year created some trouble in peoples' homes.

"Last year I got lots of complaints from parents when I got home that large quantities of cereal was spilled in kitchens," he said.

"But it turned out to the Merry Twinkles, the chief navigating elf that travels with me on Christmas night. She loves all the cereals that boys and girls have for breakfast every morning. I have spoken to Merry Twinkles not to do this this year. So if you see cereal spilled on the ground let me know by sending photographic evidence to editor@killarneyadvertiser.ie and Michelle will let me know. Happy Christmas and I hope you enjoy all the presents."

Killarney woman behind London’s festive helpline

Sem song created to wish everyone a happy Christmas

| By Sean Moriarty

| By Michelle Crean A special Christmas video which was posted online this week has already reached almost 3,000 views as boys in The Sem wish the community a happy Christmas.

An Irish mental health charity in London, which has a Killarney woman as its chief fundraiser, has launched a freephone number to help vulnerable Irish people prepare for the festive season.

Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy (ICAP) is aware that many Irish people in London may not be able to get home this Christmas as a result of travel restrictions in both countries.

While ICAP has been forced to close its doors to members of the public, due to social-distancing requirements, it has operated a freephone telephone number where trained therapists are offering support to anyone that needs it. Since the beginning of the pandemic they are fielding over 200 calls a week.

“In response to the pandemic, we established a free telephone helpline which is available to the Irish community,” Tara, who is originally from Aghadoe, said. “The therapists running this new service have spoken with callers from across Britain who contacted us for a myriad of reasons, ranging from stress due to unemployment; to domestic violence and COVID-19 related bereavement. The pandemic has taken its toll on those supporting the community too and we are pleased to have been able to offer expert support to staff members working in other Irish

HELPING HAND: Killarney woman Tara Cronin has launched a freephone number to help vulnerable Irish people prepare for the festive season.

agencies.”

One of ICAP’s main sources of income is the annual dinner dance but it cannot take place this year.

Instead they have launched a Christmas Appeal – donations can be made via VirginMoneyGiving: Christmas Power of Connection Appeal.

As it has been a difficult year for everyone and as performances couldn't go ahead this year, music teachers Mish O'Donoghue and Niamh O'Connell from the school decided to do something for the people of Killarney.

"We in the Music Dept in St Brendan's have missed the buzz and excitement around performing in general but so many people in Killarney hoped that our annual carol service might still go ahead," Mish told the Killarney Advertiser this week.

"2020 has been a difficult year for everybody. Under current restrictions we knew this would be impossible and so decided to try to create something where we could still convey a Christmas sentiment. We wanted to let people know that we are thinking of them and that while they were missing out on that special night we are also missing the encouragement and support they have been giving us for so many years now.

We decided therefore to bring our music out to the people of Killarney and began recording at the beautiful Tree of Light in front of our magnificent cathedral."

First year students Dara Lynch and Ronán Bennett sang the opening song 'This

SONG: Cillian Hickey from The Sem pictured on the special YouTube video that they have posted online to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

Christmas' and then senior students, lead by Rian Colleran on guitar, sang 'Maybe This Christmas'.

"They finished the recording on Thursday night in College Street under the fabulous Christmas lights and then did some frantic editing during the day on Friday before posting the video on Friday evening," she said.

"We are delighted to have got such a positive response and want to thank all who have contacted us for their kind words. We wish the entire St Brendan's family and everyone in Killarney a happy and safe Christmas and of course hope that before too long we will be performing live for our loyal supporters once more."

To see the full video search YouTube: A Very Sem Happy Christmas 2020.

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CYCLE: Principal of St Brigid's Secondary School Róisín Moore pictured with Sheree Murphy and Adrienne Brosnan participating in the Kenya Charity Cycle.

Participating in the A message of hope for 2021 Kenya Charity Cycle 2020 has been an extremely challenging and, in many cases, a most difficult year. Usually, on New Year’s Eve, families and friends gather together to see out the old year and welcome in the new year.

This year, as we take care to mind each other and stay safe, we stay apart to protect each other.

The Cathaoirleach and Chief Executive of Kerry County Council proposed a message of hope for 2021 to the people of Kerry. Dóchas Chiarraí 2021 is a short reflection and message of hope and goodwill featuring well-known figures from the arts community in Kerry, which will be broadcast online on New Year’s Eve at 8pm.

Kerry has many wonderful musicians, artists, poets and creative individuals and it was agreed to ask poet, Gabriel Fitzmaurice, to select and recite two

poems that communicate good wishes to the people of Kerry and the Kerry diaspora, wishing everyone a healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.

The Arts Office of Kerry County Council approached St John’s Theatre in Listowel to host the event, as an appropriate setting, full of atmosphere and creativity. Theatre Director, Máire Logue selected two excellent musicians, flautist Matt Dean and harpist Deirdre Granville to join poet Gabriel Fitzmaurice in delivering this message of hope for 2021.

Dóchas Chiarraí 2021 will be broadcast at 8pm on New Year’s Eve on Kerry County Council’s social media platforms and YouTube channel as well as the social media channels of the Kerry County Council Arts Office, on @KerryCoArts and Facebook.

Kerry County Council wishes everyone a peaceful, healthy and happy New Year.

TY students, as well as teachers Ms. Murphy, Ms Brosnan, Ms Cronin and Principal Róisín Moore from St Brigid's Secondary School have cycled 1,400km of the 8000km journey so far as part of the Killarney to Kenya Charity Cycle.

Both students and staff were delighted to take part in this fundraiser as the Kenya Education Project has a positive

impact on the lives of many children and their families yearly. The charity provides food and education for hundreds of children on or below the poverty line in Kenya. The charity also works in conjunction with St Vincent de Paul helping deliver clothes as well as financial aid to families. There is still time to donate via the following link GoFundMe: From Kerry to Kenya 8000km Charity Gym Cycle.

Irish Water to complete works at Daly’s Roundabout Deputy Michael Healy-Rae has welcomed a commitment by Darragh O’Brien Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage that Irish Water will complete works in advance of planned road upgrades for the stretch of road from Daly’s Roundabout to Ballyspillane - a road, which is also an important artery for a lot of East Kerry people who shop and work in Killarney.

“Design is underway for this section of water main," Deputy Healy-Rae said.

"Irish Water is aware that there are planned road upgrades for this area in 2021. Where possible Irish water strives

to complete works in advance of any upcoming road works to minimise disruption and to avoid digging up newly resurfaced roads.”

O’Brien wrote in a reply to Deputy Michael Healy-Rae following a series of questions the Kerry Deputy posed to An Taoiseach Míchéal Martin during leaders questions in the Dáil.

“This is most welcome, the surface of the road over the water mains can only be described as something like in Beirut from water breaks. The repair will allow Kerry County Council resurface this section of road which will also be most welcome."

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Killarney farmers complete 'Dusk till Dawn' challenge On the longest night of the year Killarney Young Farmers Discussion Group raised a staggering €8,000 for the Kerry Hospice Foundation by pushing a milk-cart over 343 laps of An Riocht Athletic Track. | By Sean Moriarty The group of 15 farmers, from mid-Kerry, took turns at steering the milk-cart around the track.

After drawing lots for start times, group member Paudie O’Brien started at 4.30pm on Sunday evening.

By 8.45am on Monday the group had completed 343 laps of the track and a total of 137.05kms or 3.26 marathons.

John Fleming of Muckross Creamery did his stint ‘behind the wheel’ between 4.40am and 6am on Monday morning.

He explained to the Killarney Advertiser the idea behind the plan.

“We wanted to do something to mark the end of the year, but a Christmas party was out. It was first suggested

DUSK TILL DAWN: Some of the members of the Killarney Young Farmers Group who took part in the Winter Solstice charity event. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

to walk all night on the longest night of the year, but that idea soon grew into the idea of pushing the milk cart,” John, who is the group secretary, said. “We drew lots for time slots, it was agreed that we would turn up 20 minutes before our time to encourage the previous participant, and we were all on track for one hour and 20 minutes each. The Riocht track was ideal, it was safe, well-lit

and away from everybody.”

The Killarney Young Farmers Discussion Group was formed as both a business and social group to help and support farmers in the area. As well as group meeting, which were curtailed this year, the group also organises industry site visits and social events. This year they expanded that to include charity events.

The 15 farmers who participated in the challenge were: James Paul Mangan, Dan Daly, Edward Sullivan, Eoghan McCarthy, John Fleming, John McCarthy, Mike Quirke, Niall Browne, Paddy Sheehan, Paudie O'Brien, Seamus Foley, Sean Joy, Shane Carroll, Tim Fitzgerald, and Colm Counihan.

Search Killarney Young Farmers on GoFundMe.com to make a donation.

And that’s a wrap!

Our 'Shop Local' campaign finished last week and what a fantastic success it was. We saw close to 50 businesses coming together and getting behind our campaign. With a total prize pool of over €3,000 up for grabs Killarney locals really got behind the campaign.

We were blown away by all the entries that got posted in to us at the Killarney Advertiser. Thanks to Killarney locals, our campaign has kept thousands of Euro in our local economy this Christmas, revenue that will be vital to small businesses as we move into the New Year. A big congratulations to Paddy O’Sullivan who won the top prize of a Winner Paddy O'Sullivan Matt O'Sullivan Margaret Horgan John Foran Maura/Michelle McCarthy Jeanine Carty Christine Desmond Aine O'Callaghan Dermot O'Neill Elaine O'Doherty Eileen Dennehy Denis O'Connor Frances O'Sullivan Paul Keogh Brid Cronin Joan Desmond

€1,000 shopping voucher for Daly’s SuperValu. Paddy was delighted to learn he has scooped top prize.

"I am absolutely delighted, I had three tickets got but I was missing the green one, my partner had the missing voucher and we got it in on the final day. It’s so important we support all our small local businesses now more than ever, and I just want to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas.”

We have shared the winners details with the participating stores so if your name is on the list below please get in touch with them directly to collect your prize.

Please note, businesses will check your phone and email details to validate you are the winner.

Prize €1000 Shopping Voucher €500 Cash €100 Voucher €100 Voucher €100 Voucher €100 Voucher Christmas Hamper Christmas Hamper €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher

Winner Miriam O'Connell Chloe O'Doherty Ann Marie Kennedy Kathleen McCarthy Pearl O'Connell Roisin Kennedy Noreen Dolan Conor Dennehy O'Connor family Jimmy Kennedy Eileen Williams Sinead Conaty Eoin Moynihan Miriam Dennehy Brendan Kelliher Linda Brennan

PRIZE WINNERS: Chris Davies (Business Development Manager Killarney Advertiser) pictured with PJ McGee (Daly's SuperValu Manager) announcing the winners of our 'Shop Local' campaign.

Prize €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher €50 Voucher Christmas Hamper

KC October 2020 A4 Dec Wk2.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2020 12:51 Page 1

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9 August

42

Skills to Compete Coded Pipe Welding, Tralee

23 August

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CAD - Computer Aided Draughting and Design, Tralee

30 August

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6 September

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A great short course to help you re-set and re-start.

Gain the right skillset to seek work in a retail pharmacy environment.

Master your PC skills | Internationally recognised qualification.

HOW TO APPLY

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1. Check the entry requirements for your chosen course.

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2. Apply online: www.kerrycollege.ie

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3. We’ll be in touch with you regarding an interview or place offer.

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Apply early as places on many courses are limited.

CALL OUR ADMISSIONS TEAM 066 714 9696 info@kerrycollege.ie Keep up to date with Kerry College through our social media channels

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EUROPEAN UNION Investing in your future European Social Fund

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• Skills to Compete Course Skills to Compete is an initiative to support those who have lost their jobs as a result of COVID-19, to re-enter the workforce.

Courses are offered subject to demand.

Limited places available on certain courses.

309767 307205 303566 307220

An all-new sales focused Digital Marketing training programme.

Become a qualified carer.

Traditional Stonewall Construction, Tralee

Learn the art and craft of traditional stonewall.

Achieve D-Licence & CPC | Pre-Requisite: D-Licence Learner Permit.

Learn the craft of digital photography.

Get EN9606-1VOB1, EN9609-1SSP and EN9609-1 AL01 certified.

Develop key construction and groundwork skillsets. Safepass included.

A great short course to help you re-set and re-start.

Achieve CE-Licence & CPC | Pre-Requisite: CE-Licence Learner Permit.

Designed to up-skill and enhance the employment opportunities for those working or training in the Outdoor Sector.

The ideal starting point for those interested in developing a career in the Outdoor Adventure, Tourism and Education Sector.

Healthcare Support (Carers), Killarney

Become a qualified carer.

Get ASME IX and EN 9606-1 certified.

This course is for those who wish to pursue careers as CAD Technicians.

Hairdressing, Tralee

Ideal for those starting out in hairdressing or who have some basic skills and experience in the industry.

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23.12.2020

Delicious New Menu

To Book Your Table Call our Reservations Line: 0894607513

The Randles Family, management & staff, thank you for your support throughout 2020 & wish you a Safe & Happy Christmas & brighter 2021.

Bernadette Randles

Gift Vouchers also Available Meet at Kayne's ~ A Christmas Tradition Kayne's Bar & Brasserie | Muckross Road | 0646639300 www.kayneskillarney.com

PHOTO COMPETITION WINNER Thanks to everyone who submitted images to our Christmas photo competition this year. We are delighted to announce the winner of the â‚Ź50 One4all voucher is Conor Healy who sent us in a beautifully captured image of St Mary's Cathedral. The run-

ners up, who will receive a â‚Ź25 One4all voucher, are Martina Breen Long for the image of her six-month-old Odhran Long, and Rebecca Birch who sent us in the image of Summer Birch enjoying a stay in Killarney. Congratuations to our winners.

HAVING FUN: Summer Birch having a fabulous time at the Parkavon Hotel Killarney.

STUNNING: A stunning image with light trails from passing cars outside St Mary's Cathedral taking by Conor Healy.

STUNNING: A stunning image with light trails from passing cars outside St Mary's Cathedral taking by Conor Healy.

FIRST CHRISTMAS: Six-month-old Odhran Long from The Park, Killarney dazzled by the colourful lights on the tree as he prepares for his very first Christmas.

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23.12.2020

Inside story of the Headford Ambush This is the story of the O’Connor Scarteen family and the Headford Ambush as told by their grand-nephew Patrick O’Connor Scarteen – the current Mayor of Kerry.

The centenary of the Headford Ambush, one of the key Kerry events in the War of Independence, will take place on March 21 next year.

An IRA brigade intercepted a train carrying British troops who were travelling between Kenmare and Killarney. The subsequent gunfight left 14 men dead; nine British soldiers, two IRA volunteers and three civilians.

Current Kerry Mayor, Patrick O'Connor Scarteen’s grand-uncles Tom and John O'Connor-Scarteen were IRA volunteers at the time – and Tom is said to have been the last man to walk away from Headford that fateful day nearly one hundred years ago.

We invited the mayor to tell his family’s story in his own words.

“I grew up hearing so much about the Headford ambush which took place March 1921, it was undoubtedly one of the most significant military engagements in Ireland during the War of Independence.

“I am proud of the achievements of my grand-uncles Tom and John; they lived through and played an active part in one of the most important periods in Irish history. Tom took part in the Headford Ambush, John was not invilded that day but like many others I believe they were guided by their principles and did what they believed was the best course of action for their

country.

“Tom especially was known to be very brave. I read recently that Tom was the last man to leave the Headford Ambush which is claimed by many historians to be the biggest single conflict in the country during the War of Independence.

“They, like so many others in Kerry, had great respect for Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith and they followed their path in their struggle for a united Ireland. The brothers met Collins on a number of occasions, firstly in Killarney when he was travelling the country drumming up support for the Treaty, also while they were attacking the Four Courts in Dublin, and lastly in August 1922 when Collins met the two hundred national army troops commanded by Tom O’Connor-Scarteen, before they departed Limerick by boat for South Kerry. As they left the dock on the Shannon they fired a volley in the air as a sign of respect and gratitude to Collins.

“It was a shame that the country became embroiled in a Civil War as many fine men and women on both sides needlessly lost their lives. I believe great credit is due to the brother's mother Deborah (nee Fitzgerald from Waterville) who brought up the rest of her family in a difficult situation and

FAMILY HISTORY: County Mayor Patrick Connor Scarteen with his father Michael holding the gun used by his grand uncle at the Headford ambush. Photos: Connor Family Archive

BROTHERS: Tom and John O’Connor had intimate knowledge of the Kerry terrain during the War of Independence

she made sure they were not bitter or vindictive over their deaths. They died tragically and unarmed at their home at 5 Main St, Kenmare at the hands of Anti-Treaty Forces."

THE ULTIMATE PRICE

“The Ireland we live in today was shaped by the War of Independence and Civil War and many people paid the ultimate price for our freedom. I believe Tom and John would be happy to see peace in our country today and that all parties are now striving to achieve a united Ireland through democratic and peaceful means. We now have so many things which many take for granted including our own legal system, control of our economy, freedom to express our culture and language, and we are part of the European Union which continues to have a huge influence in so many ways on our country.

“Tom and John’s intimate knowledge

of the mountainous terrain of the Blackwater and Templenoe region and the inlets along the bay along with knowing all the people in the region stood Tom, John and their comrades well in their struggle against the Black and Tans in the War of Independence and later in the unfortunate Civil War. “It has been commented in books that Tom commanded great respect from his Free State companions due to his bravery and for possessing great leadership capabilities, and many of those on the anti-treaty side also had great admiration for the brothers due to their integral involvement in the War of Independence. I believe that Tom, the younger brother, was initially most involved and that John, like many others who had family involved in the conflict, got drawn into it and inspired by the leaders in their struggle for Independence.”

LAST MAN: Tom O’Connor was the last volunteer to leave the site of the ambush.

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23.12.2020

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23.12.2020

CHAD BYRNE'S PERFECT TURKEY RECIPE Chad Byrne, Head Chef at The Brehon Hotel, has given us a delicious Christmas recipe to impress your family with this Friday.

Also, planned for 2021, Chad will be doing a cook-along live with the Killarney Advertiser, every month with list of ingredients published on the Wednesday prior to publication on Insta and FB stories @Kadvertiser.

Chad will then be doing a cook-along live from The Brehon kitchen.

Whilst not a vegan, he will be doing veganuary again this year which entails going vegan for the month of January and will show our readers simple, cost effective recipes you can replicate at home that would please even the finest meat lovers.

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR THE PERFECT COOKED TURKEY

INGREDIENTS • 1 turkey (giblets removed) • 3 onions (thickly sliced) • Thyme bunch

• 2 tbsp olive oil • Sea salt

METHOD • STEP 1 Remove the turkey from the fridge at least an hour before cooking and heat the oven to 200C/gas 7. Calculate the cooking time – allow 30 minutes at high heat, then 30 minutes per kilo after you have reduced the heat. So a 5kg turkey will take three hours in total.

• STEP 2 Put the sliced onions into the roasting tin. Put the turkey on a rack and then put the rack into the roasting tin. Drizzle the turkey with olive oil, and season well.

• STEP 3 Pour two cups of boiling water into the tin with the onions and cover the whole thing with a double layer of foil. Make sure that it’s well sealed around the edges. Put the tray in the oven and cook for 30 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6 for the remaining cooking time.

• STEP 4 After about 90 minutes remove the foil and close the door. Don’t open it again until the cooking time is up. To test whether the turkey is cooked, insert a skewer or knife blade into the point where the thigh joins the breast — the juice should run clear. If it is pink, leave it for another 20 minutes and test again. Alternatively insert a digital thermometer into the thickest point – it is cooked when it reads 72C. • STEP 5 Take the bird from the oven, remove the onions, then strain the juice in the bottom of the tin into a large jug to settle. The fat will rise to the top, leaving the turkey and onion juice beneath. Skim off the fat and use the juice to make a gravy if you wish or serve as it is. Leave the turkey to rest in a warm place covered with foil for one hour, then carve. Enjoy!

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GARDEN MAGIC

Gardening - By Debby Looney

Debby is available for advice and garden consultations, just call 086 6088156 or email barnhillky@gmail.com

The poinsettia is synonymous with Christmas 'Tis the season to be jolly…. and indoors! Indoor plants are part of our festive decorations, certainly the poinsettia is synonymous with Christmas.

Unfortunately many poinsettias are on the compost heap before the big day ever arrives. When buying your poinsettia, check that it has small closed yellow flowers (called cyathia), in the centre of the coloured leaves. If they are open, and the plant is shedding pollen, it is past its prime. Many are sold in plastic sleeves, I encourage everyone to take a good look, pull the sleeve down carefully if it is coloured, and check the plant is healthy and not losing its leaves near the base.

This is where rot often happens due to the humid conditions. When bringing it home, try to keep it out of the wind as the coloured leaves are very soft and easily damaged.

Poinsettias are most often killed because of overwatering, however they do not like draughts, excessive temperature fluctuations, too much/too little light, in short, they are not the easiest plant to grow. One of the main things I would advise to look out for is that the plant is grown in Ireland, as the shock the plants get from transportation can cause the phenomenon of sudden leaf drop a few days later. You might have guessed – I have no luck with poinsettias! If you wish to keep them for the following year, cut the coloured leaves off in April, keep in a bright room, feed twice a month, and come September, put it in a room where it will not get any artificial light. In October put it into the room where you will have it for Christmas, and it should colour up!

CHRISTMAS CACTUS

A much easier plant is the Christmas cactus, which definitely does not have as many prerequisites or notions as the poinsettia! Being succulents, they tolerate under watering most of the year, except during flowering time when it does need to be kept moist. A tell tale sign of under watering or excessive heat, is when the flower buds drop before fully

opening. Different plants flower at different times, some at Easter (the Easter cactus – which is exactly the same plant) or earlier in the autumn. Generally each particular plant will flower at the same time each year.

Orchids are also very popular at Christmas, and with their tall graceful stems of blooms, they are ideal plants to incorporate into a Christmas arrangement - adding an exotic flavour to simple greenery and berries. Orchids enjoy a humid atmosphere which is sometimes difficult to achieve when the heating is on. This is another reason to create an arrangement around them - by placing a real wreath or bowl of greenery around the plant, you can surreptitiously create humidity.

Orchids will be fine in any warm spot in the house over the festive period, but do enjoy a bright, filtered light the rest of the year.

One of my own favourite plants over Christmas is the Paperwhite daffodil. The scent is so fresh and outdoorsy! If you have not planted them yourself as bulbs, you can get them in most garden centres as growing plants. Keep them in a cool bright spot - too much heat will cause lanky growth and small flowers. Keep them moist, and once the flower stalks appear, tie them to a decorative stick so they don’t topple over. They are difficult enough to keep over as often they will not flower the following year.

With this, I hope you have a beautiful, colourful Christmas, full of good cheer, good health and plenty of plants!

23.12.2020

Almost one thousand well-being packs distributed

by Kerry County Council This week will see a further four hundred ‘In the Bag’ well-being packs and information envelopes distributed throughout the county, bringing to almost one thousand the total number given out since June.

It’s all part of the local community response during the COVID-19 pandemic and in keeping with the national ‘Keep Well’ campaign.

Kerry County Council, in collaboration with their many partners, are continuing to develop and deliver local resources to promote and support health and well-being under the various themes of the national 'Keep Well' campaign, which is aimed at showing people of all ages the importance of minding their physical and mental health and well-being by adding healthy and helpful habits to our daily routines.

The ‘Keep Well’ campaign focuses on five key ways to well-being that can be practised each day to maintain or improve our mental health and well-being; keeping active, keeping in contact, switching off and being creative, eating well, and managing your mood.

IN THE BAG

The ‘In the Bag’ initiative and information envelope is a collaborative effort involving Kerry County Council, Healthy Kerry, the Kerry Public Participation Network and the Kerry Age Friendly Network, and many others. Some of the items in the bag were also generously donated

by IT Tralee’s Students’ Union. Bags and envelopes are being distributed by the Red Cross, An Garda Síochána, Local Link Kerry and Meals and Wheels services to members of the community who are

identified as potentially benefiting from supports during the Christmas season.

Each bag contains practical resources such as local support contact information, advice on preparing for winter and extreme weather conditions, and exercise plans helping people to stay active for periods of reduced movement. The bag also contains resources designed to encourage people to take time to switch off and be creative, such as a gratitude and mindfulness journal and colours, healthy eating recipes, and a sweet treat for a cup of tea.

"The 'In the Bag' initiative forms part of the larger COVID-19 Community Response in Kerry, an effort that wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and ongoing support received from the network of local agencies and the volunteer community in Kerry," Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Patrick Connor-Scarteen said.

"This community network strives to ensure that lonely, vulnerable or at-risk members of our community will not be forgotten this holiday season and will be aware of, and have access to, the many resources in place to support them."

VISIT: The Indian Ambassador to Ireland, Sandeep Kumar, pictured with Pat Dawson, Manager of Killarney House and Gardens, was on a special visit to Killarney House and Gardens, where he was presented with a book of historical images of Killarney, and afforded the opportunity to view the Killarney National Park interactive exhibition. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

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23.12.2020

A WEEKLY ROUND-UP OF NEWS • VIEWS FROM KERRY AND AROUND THE WORLD

INSPIRED BY DANNY CASEY

Longest ever concrete beams installed for Macroom project It is one of the biggest engineering projects – and at €280m one of the most expensive – in the country but the importance of the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom road cannot be underestimated.

Progress on the 22km dual carriageway, that will bypass these two notorious traffic blackspots hit a significant and record-breaking target last week.

On December 15 and 16, seven precast concrete bridge beams were placed over the River Laney near Macroom as part of the road project.

At 49.9 metres in length, they were the longest ever single-span concrete beams installed in any civil engineering project in Ireland or Britain.

The installation of the beams was a logistical nightmare; they were transported by road from a concrete manufacturing plant near Banagher in County Offaly and only had 200mm clearance at the Jack Lynch tunnel in Cork City. It took four nights, under Garda escort to make the journey from Offaly to Cork.

“The placement of bridge beams over the River Laney represents great progress on the N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom road project, and huge credit is due to all involved for delivering this aspect safely and successfully. Installing the longest concrete bridge beams as part of the largest road scheme in the country during a global pandemic

Trump CORNER

Irish-English replaces English-English in European banks Here is one for the list of unintended consequences of Brexit.

is truly a reflection of our resilience.

This scheme has been many years in planning and when complete, will result in a significant improvement of the N22, in terms of road safety, journey time savings, removal of traffic congestion and enhanced connectivity between Cork and Kerry,” Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, said.

CHALLENGING TERRAIN

With 18 road bridges (under and over bridges), 24 accommodation (under/ over bridge) structures and a number of culvert structures to be constructed, through challenging terrain, from hilly, remote land with rock outcrops at the western end, to low lying pas-

ture lands to the east of Macroom, the end result with be a 22km Type 2 Dual Carriageway constructed offline of the existing N22.

The road will cross a land-locked section of the Carrigodrochid Reservoir to the south east of Macroom.

“It’s hard for people to see the enormity of the works going on behind the hedges and walls, and maybe people won’t until the road is finished and open, however it is fantastic to see the works and in particular, all the bridges that connect people and businesses, taking shape. TII wants to sincerely thank all the people on site doing a really great job, you are greatly appreciated,” said Paul Moran of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

With Britain set to leave the EU on January 1, Ireland will become the only country in the Bloc to have the English language as its first tongue.

Banks in Luxembourg have already figured this out and this week set about replacing the Union Flag with the Irish tri-colour on ATM machines.

It may not be a political statement but it shows that Britain is slipping further down the EU relevance list while Ireland rises closer to the top.

Trump’s Christmas gift to staff It is unknown if American Civil Servants are celebrating the impending departure of Donald Trump from the White House or if they will be sorry to see him go.

But they will be thankful for one bit of Christmas cheer promised to them by Trump.

He has declared that Christmas Eve will be an official Federal Holiday – a bank or public holiday in this part of the world – meaning Government staff will enjoy a fourday weekend to celebrate Christ-

mas.

Under past presidents, most notably when Barrack Obama and Bill Clinton were in office, civil servants were only ever offered a half-day on Christmas Eve. Under the Executive Order, signed

by Trump last week, “all executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty on Thursday, 24 December 2020, the day before Christmas Day”.

Trump and his family will celebrate their fourth Christmas in the White House.

Their 2020 Christmas tree is a 5.6 metre Fraser Fir from West Virginia. It will serve as a centre-piece for Christmas decorations in the Blue Room of the White House.

During a recent ceremony, Dan Taylor, the winner of the National Christmas Tree Contest, presented the prizewinning tree to the First Lady, Melania Trump, in a horsedrawn carriage.

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FitLine mentor volunteers wanted Age & Opportunity announced a nationwide expansion of their FitLine initiative – a telephone motivation line to encourage older persons to introduce physical activity into their daily lives.

MAKING A MARK: Sheena Fortune, Jennifer O'Connor and Tara Donoghue who are Creative Tutors on the LCYP 'Make Your Mark' Kerry project.

‘Make Your Mark’ youth project goes live A Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (Kerry LCYP) has announced an online project which will feature the opinions of children and young people from three estates in Kerry.

Young people from Rath Óraigh, Tralee, Benmore, Ballyduff, and Caisleán Mór, Castleisland are being asked to share insights into their play and leisure activities at local level.

A website specially designed for the project www.makeyourmarkkerry.ie is now live on www.kerryetb.ie and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram via @ kerrylcyp and @MakeYourMarkKerry.

The exhibition is a collaboration project between Kerry LCYP at Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council. It will feature the opinions of young people who are providing answers to two key questions, “when I am outside in my estate I like

to…” and “when I am outside in my estate, I would like to…”.

Young people are being asked to think about these questions and use their creativity to submit a TikTok, drawing, video, photograph, Instagram reel, rhyme or animation to makeyourmarkkerry@gmail.com. Parental and caregiver permission is required. The work will feature in an online exhibition offering insight into the lived experiences of children and young people who play and spend their leisure time outdoors in these areas.

"As a team, we are hoping to identify ideas in words, art, video, photography and music so that youth opinion can potentially inform Kerry’s Play and Leisure Policy,” Jennifer O’Connor, one of three creative facilitators developing the project for Kerry LCYP, said.

The closing date for submitting work is Sunday, January 10.

FitLine is a volunteer peer led telephone line designed to help older people who want to feel a bit healthier, but perhaps don’t have the motivation, confidence or information on where or how to take that first step.

“We’re absolutely delighted to share the news that we’re taking FitLine nationwide and giving older persons encouragement to introduce physical activity to their daily lives in a safe way over the phone," Karen Horgan, CEO of Age & Opportunity, said. "COVID-19 has highlighted the digital divide that exists in Ireland and we want to make sure that people who don’t have access to digital technology can still talk to someone about ways to ensure they keep active.”

FitLine mentor volunteers are needed to make regular calls to registered participants who would like to start being more physically active. Mentor applicants must have an interest in physical activity and

overall health and well-being, use of a laptop or computer and Internet access and capacity to make phone calls for approximately three hours once a fortnight, to participants who have already registered to take part in the initiative.

Visit the Age & Opportunity website www.ageandopportunity.ie. for full details. Closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday, January 11.

Tralee engineer wins at Bus Éireann’s ‘GEM Awards’ Bus Éireann has held its 2020 GEM ‘Go the Extra Mile’ awards for its staff, in acknowledgement of the dedication, exceptional service and heroic efforts of its employees across the country.

Awards were issued in a number of different categories including Forward Thinking, Safety, Customer First, Performance, Collaboration & Respect, Team of the Year, Depot of the Year and Hero of the Year.

An Engineering Operative from Tralee, Timothy Breen, received the ‘Performance Award 2020’ in recognition of his

diligence on the job, flexibility, and dependability. Timothy works in the Tralee garage fuelling and washing the fleet. His excellent mechanical skills are an asset in the garage for assisting the craftworkers.

“2020 has been a very challenging year for everyone," Stephen Kent, CEO of Bus Éireann, said. "I am immensely proud of the commitment and resilience demonstrated by all our employees during these testing times. A special thank you to our frontline staff for their hard work and the sacrifice they continue to make for us all to keep our essential service on the road and keep Ireland moving.”

Untruths need to be dispelled as vaccine rolls out in Ireland Relevant authorities at EU level and in Ireland must act against vaccine disinformation campaigns.

This is according to MEP Deirdre Clune who is a member of the European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee. MEP Clune is urging people not to be afraid to challenge vaccine disinformation or the spread of it – even among family or friends.

“The vaccine will help return some sort of normality to our daily lives by next

summer, however in order for such a vaccination programme to be successful people must be willing to get vaccinated," MEP Clune said.

The Department of Health says their research tells them that many people have already decided (45%) that they will definitely or (28%) will probably take the vaccine when it is offered. The HSE and the Department of Health are currently preparing an information and communication campaign aimed at addressing the many questions and concerns that will undoubtedly surface in

the coming months.

“There will be questions asked and clear answers must be given surrounding the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.

It is really important that we develop trust in the vaccine, the science behind it and that we are clear about the authorisation process. It is also critical that disinformation or plain untruths are dispelled."

She said the EU has a role to play in proactively preventing disinformation against any safe, effective and approved vaccines that may become available

from taking hold and spreading across the Internet.

“Each day we hold a world of information in our hands, we can search for something in just a few seconds. That access to information is fascinating and powerful but it also means that misleading information can find its way to us more easily. Now more than ever, we need to be aware of misinformation, how to recognise it and how to protect ourselves from it. In the time of a global pandemic the wrong information can be very dangerous.”

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23.12.2020

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WATCH READ THE LATEST PROGRAMMES, FILMS, BOOKS & MUSIC

watch

23.12.2020

LISTEN | By Michelle Crean

The Midnight Sky

read A Sky Beyond the Storm

RELEASED: DECEMBER 23

By Author: Sabaa Tahir

American science fiction film 'The Midnight Sky' directed by George Clooney is based on the novel 'Good Morning, Midnight' by Lily Brooks-Dalton.

Clooney plays the incredibly named Augustine Lofthouse, a scientist at the end of the world. He decides to stay behind after his station evacuates because of a planetary crisis.

The film explores the dual challenge

of scientist bonding with child, and of scientist balancing how to advise the incoming spaceship crew, who by this time are aware of their inability to contact anyone on their regular lines of communication. The scientist, who is dying, must venture through the Arctic Circle with the young girl to warn off a returning spaceship following a global catastrophe.

listen

and love - he left behind. Yet doing so means ignoring the trail of murder left by the Nightbringer and his jinn. To uphold his oath and protect the human world from the supernatural, the Soul Catcher must look beyond the borders of his own land. He must take on a mission that could save - or destroy - all that he knows.

on the box

Paul McCartney ​McCartney III Legendary musician for former Beatle Paul McCartney has released a new album. '​​​​​McCartney III' is the 18th solo album by the English musician, and was released on December 18 by Capitol Records.

'McCartney III' was recorded in early 2020 in Sussex, England at McCartney's home while in lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It serves as a continuation to his two eponymous solo albums, McCartney (1970) and McCartney II (1980). Like those albums, 'McCartney III' features McCartney on all instruments. The album was met with widespread acclaim from music critics.

The finale of Sabaa Tahir's beloved New York Times bestselling 'An Ember in the Ashes' fantasy series is 'A Sky Beyond the Storm'.

The long-imprisoned jinn are on the attack, wreaking bloody havoc in villages and cities alike, but for the Nightbringer, vengeance on his human foes is just the beginning.

At his side, Commandant Keris Veturia declares herself Empress, and calls for the heads of any and all who defy her rule. At the top of the list is the Blood Shrike and her remaining family.

Laia of Serra, now allied with the Blood Shrike, struggles to recover from the loss of the two people most important to her. Determined to stop the approaching apocalypse, she throws herself into the destruction of the Nightbringer. In the process, she awakens an ancient power that could lead her to victory - or to an unimaginable doom.

And deep in the Waiting Place, the Soul Catcher seeks only to forget the life -

"Each day I’d start recording with the instrument I wrote the song on and then gradually layer it all up; it was a lot of fun," McCartney said.

"It was about making music for yourself rather than making music that has to do a job. So, I just did stuff I fancied doing. I had no idea this would end up as an album."

The instrumental work is recorded by McCartney himself. He also performed most of the instruments on his 2005 album 'Chaos and Creation in the Backyard' and on his 2007 album 'Memory Almost Full'.

BIG BIG MOVIE

Get Santa (S)

The Magnificent Seven (S)

RTÉ ONE; Friday, 8.20pm An ex-convict trying to reconnect with his son discovers Santa Claus hiding in his garden shed, having crashed his new sleigh. Father and son try to help him get safely home back to Lapland, but end up on the run from the police when an attempt to recover his missing reindeer lands Santa behind bars. Festive comedy, starring Jim Broadbent, Rafe Spall and Warwick Davis.

RTÉ ONE; Saturday, 3.10pm Oppressed Mexican villagers cross the border into America looking to buy guns to defend their homes and crops from bandits. Instead they encounter an enigmatic loner who persuades them to hire a band of gunslingers to teach the villagers how to fight before the marauders return. Western, with Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, James Coburn and Eli Wallach.

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23.12.2020

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ATMOSPHERIC DINING EXPERIENCE FOR FRIENDS , FAMILY AND INTIMATE MOMENTS

We are excited to launch our new seasonal menu. Treat the foodie in your life to a gift voucher available from the Christmas Pop-Up Shop at the Killarney Plaza Hotel or shop our bespoke luxury gift range online at www.plazaathome.ie or call +353 64 66 21111 Gift Cards are redeemable across all outlets of The Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa.

Kenmare Place, Killarney, Co. Kerry

+353 (0)64 66 21100

bookings@thetanyardkillarney.ie

NEW EVENING MENU We are delighted to open our doors from 4th December and look forward to welcoming you all back again. Book online now to catch up with friends and family dearly missed. We are also excited to launch our new full evening menu. Treat the foodie in your life to a gift voucher available from the Christmas Pop-Up Shop at the Killarney Plaza Hotel or shop online at www.plazaathome.ie

Kenmare Place, Killarney, Co. Kerry

+353 (0)64 66 21100

bookings@cafeduparckillarney.ie

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our customers.

Thanking you for all your support during the year and looking forward to seeing you all next year.

Dan and Brenda

064 6644365

Tel: info@extractawaycleaning.com • www.extractawaycleaning.com

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I would like to thank all my constituents for their support during the year and wish all a Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

I look forward to working with you all in 2021.

Constituency office hours Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm

Pa Daly TD Phone: (066) 712 9545 Email: pa.daly@oireachtas.ie Constituency Office Address: 2 Moyderwell, Tralee, Co. Kerry

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Norma Foley TD Minister for Education & TD for Kerry

Warm Christmas Greetings and Every Good Wish for 2021!

Constituency Office: 1 Bridge Place, Tralee Co. Kerry.

Tel: 066 716 9052 Email: Norma.Foley@oireachtas.ie

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NEWS

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL

Beauty - By Jill O'Donoghue

Jill is available for advice and beauty consultations, at Killarney Toning & Beauty Studio. Call 064 6632966

Protect, detoxify, energise with an anti-ageing facial The anti-ageing skin defence facial is one of my favourite from Sothys professional brand.

They are always ahead with their research and development. Having worked with Sothys for 20 years, I'm very excited about this result driven treatment for the face. It's a facial that is very on target with the current environment we are living in; pollution, mobiles, computers, IR radiation, face masks to name a few. The texture and richness of these creams, serums and exfoliators are luxurious. We were lucky enough to have training this year so I'm looking forward to launching it in early 2021. New year, new skin, it's never too late to start. It's suitable for both men and women of all skin types, as a skin analysis is carried out before your treatment. It is then tailored to suit specific requirements.

The treatment consists of the following steps; a detoxifying cleanse, a series of anti-pollution serums and creams, a mask system and a protective finish - most executed with the facial massage movements that are unique to Sothys called the 'Digi-esthetique'. These amazing techniques have been created in partner-

ship with a qualified osteopath. This massage technique works on the acupressure points on the face to improve blood circulation and enhance skin radiance and increase lymphatic flow. This intensive treatment is designed to further protect, detoxify and give your complexion a visible boost of energy and radiance and is suitable for all skin types.

This treatment helps the skin to defend itself against the harmful effects of environmental stress and pollution which can accelerate skin ageing.

The core of this intensive treatment is the trio of exclusive active ingredients: organic elderberry, siberian ginseng-peptides for an anti-pollution protection-detox-energy action.

It's an essential treatment for the management of skin ageing to balance the skin microbiome and boost skin energy.

If you are looking to improve your skin or to try something different, this is a fabulous facial to start on your way to beautiful skin. Check us out on www.killarneytoningandbeauty.com.

We would like to wish all our clients and friends a very happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.

• To make a booking or to find out more, call Jill on 064 6632966.

23.12.2020

What’s your career plan for 2021?

This time last year no one in their wildest dreams could have imagined how drastically the world of work would change.

The spread of COVID-19 and subsequent lockdowns meant that the vast majority of individuals and organisations had to adapt to remote working with very little preparation. And adapt we did! The landscape of employment became precarious for many forcing people to make difficult adjustments and decisions around their career. Apart from the practical implications of inevitable job losses and change for individuals, living through a global pandemic has made many people reflective on aspects of their lives, career included. Coping with uncertainty in the workplace has been difficult and forced us all to build our resilience in relation to changing work environments. It hasn’t all been negative. In some cases being able to work from home has brought greater balance with reduced travel time and with extensive use of technology came opportunities to work with wider markets and customers. Words like ‘career transition’ or ‘pivot’ became part of our vocabulary in a way like never before. For some, the time to reflect brought the realisation that in fact they didn’t enjoy the job they were doing, the company they worked for or the working environment and for others it was the catalyst to make a change into a new role, area or business that had maybe been pushed aside previously.

CAREER SATISFACTION AUDIT

If you have been feeling unsure about what 2021 holds for you in terms of career or if you have been considering a change now is a good time to reflect and make a plan to go forward. It is not something to rush into for lots of reasons including the practical matter of needing to maintain an income but it is really worthwhile to come out of auto-pilot and to do a ‘career satisfaction audit’ to consider your options. On completing it you may even feel that you are happy to stay where you are but look for different working conditions or fulfil needs by working on a side project of interest.

LOOK INWARDS – USE THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AS PROMPTS

What are my career needs? Are they being met in my current role/company?

What have I liked and disliked about my previous and present jobs?

How has my life changed personally in the last five to six years and am I now looking for something different? More flexibility?

A sense of purpose? More money? Greater balance? A change of location?

What do I have to offer? What are my

Niamh Dwyer is a Guidance Counsellor in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, Rathmore, and Chairperson of the Kerry Branch of Guidance Counsellors. She is also a Career Consultant - For details see www.mycareerplan.ie

transferable skills-set, interests, competencies, qualities, ambitions, values, experiences, knowledge, qualifications?

Map all of this out – it is part of your personal brand!

LOOK OUTWARDS - CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING

Who is in my network personally and professionally that I can discuss my ideas with? Talk to those that you know about their jobs.

What is happening in the workplace currently? Educate yourself on what is out there. Read the online jobs boards and research the job titles that interest you, focus on the key aspects of the job that you like.

What companies or organisations do you want to work for? Start looking at companies’ profiles on social media, LinkedIn in particular.

Are there opportunities for me to up-skill or retrain that might re-energise me in my current role or facilitate a change into something new?

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Answer that question for yourself instead of an interview board.

Work is a big part of our lives. If we are unhappy at work it can impact greatly on our personal lives and our own health and well-being. The thought of career change can make people feel fearful and sometimes overwhelmed which can hold us back. But not all change has to be big, it just has to be the right fit for us at the stage we are at in our lives. Giving yourself the time to reflect on where you are at in your career, where you have been and where you think you might like to go will help you to formulate a personal career plan that works best for you!

ADVERTISING

23.12.2020

51

www.killarneyschoolofmusic.com Tesco Roundabout, Park Rd, Killarney

Now Enrolling for Term Commencing January 4th 2021 We have implemented all HSE & HSA Covid-19 guidelines. See our website for full list of measures taken.

For additional safety and convenience, we have introduced the following measures: The Flexi-Class: With the flexi-class, private class students can choose to take their class either online or face-to-face from lesson to lesson.

One-to-One Classes: Most of our classes are now one-to-one, and consequently extremely safe.

Online Payments: We have introduced online payments which helps reduce numbers visiting reception area.

Wishing All Our Students A Wonderful Christmas & New Year!

Highest Quality Music, Singing & Performance Tuition • Specialised Teachers • Purpose-Built Music School Wide Range of Instruments • Classical & Traditional • Competitive Prices & No Registration Fees • Conveniently Located

TRADITIONAL MUSIC & SONG

(Flexi-class available for most of these classes) Concertina - Button Accordion - Melodeon Fiddle - Banjo - Mandolin Singing - Traditional, Ballad & Folk Harp - Uilleann Pipes Irish Flute - Tin Whistle Traditional Piano Traditional Guitar - Bodhran - Spoons Stageworks: Performance preparation class – learn all the practical skills of live performance

CLASSICAL & CONTEMPORARY

(Flexi-class available for most of these classes) Singing & Voice Training Saxophone, Clarinet Classical Violin, Concert Flute Piano, Keyboard Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Ukulele Piano Accompaniment & Keyboard Skills

DRAMA

Speech & Drama for Children with Ray O Sullivan AIBSD

EXAM PREPARATION: LCM (Traditional & Classical Exams), SCT (Traditional Irish Music Exams) , RIAM (Classical Exams), RGT (Guitar Exams) INSTRUMENT RENTAL: WE PROVIDE INSTRUMENT RENTAL ON MANY INSTRUMENTS ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.

Visit our Website for Full Details & Fees etc

www.killarneyschoolofmusic.com - Tel. 064-6637598

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NEWS

HEALTH & FITNESS

23.12.2020

Advice - By Brian Foley Brian is available for advice and fitness consultations, Call 087 403 0894 or email info@activate.ie • www.activate.ie

Will you lose muscle as you get older?

Age-related sarcopenia refers to the loss of skeletal muscle mass that often accompanies ageing.

This type of muscle atrophy can occur with age but also immobility.

WINNERS: Mr Simon Gallivan (GMHD sponsor pictured back right) presents the winners trophies to (front) Paul Twiss and Eugene Kennedy winners of the GMHD Club Fourball Matchplay 2020 with Captain Harry O'Neill at Killarney Golf and fishing club recently.

Is it inevitable? Are we destined to lose muscle and strength no matter what as we grow older or can you slow this progression - or possibly reverse it?

Can you even gain muscle as you age?

MUSCLE LOSS AND AGEING

Physically inactive people can lose as much as three to five percent of their muscle mass each decade after the age of 30. Countless studies have concluded that ageing leads to a significant loss of muscle mass and strength.

That sounds awful until you read this line from one prevalent study: “The decrease in physical activity with [the] ageing process is the key factor in development of strength and muscle mass loss”.

That means inactive people lose strength and muscle more quickly than active people, and they lose it much more quickly than people who train to preserve strength and muscle.

Good news: Strength training is an important tool to counteract sarcopenia at any age.

SARCOPENIA: WHO DOES IT AFFECT - AND WHY?

Sarcopenia is a disease that primarily affects the elderly, although it can occur in younger people who are still physically active. This suggests multiple factors are at play. Potential causes include: • A natural decline of testosterone.

• Changes in protein oxidation.

• Inadequate nutrition.

• Decreased mobility.

Keep in mind that number three and four can be addressed with a sound fitness and nutrition programme.

There is no definitive test to diagnose sarcopenia, although criteria includes metrics on walking speed, distance walked in six minutes or grip strength.

Other screening tools include feeling physically weaker regularly, having trouble navigating common daily activities, climbing stairs and standing up from a chair.

Sarcopenia is classified as a disease and

will be diagnosed when a patient has muscle mass that is at least two standard deviations below the relevant population mean and has a slow walking speed.

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT MUSCLE LOSS WITH AGE?

Exercise is the best way to slow or even stop muscle loss with age.

Though all people will lose strength and muscle as they age, it’s still possible to gain strength at any age and slow the decline.

We’ve also seen older adults gain muscle mass through training. This was documented with InBody scans that showed an increase in muscle. These people were also stronger in the gym.

Although there isn’t a standard prescription for what type of training is best (including intensity and duration), resistance training is likely the best intervention. Strength training helps to build and preserve lean tissue and bone mineral, and when it’s combined with appropriate nutrition, it is a truly effective course of treatment with no negative side effects.

Working with a coach to create a programme that focuses on progressive overload will help build lean muscle mass, preserve mobility and help you live independently longer. Nutrition should focus on taking in adequate calories - from protein, in particular - to address the changes happening with muscle-protein synthesis and ageing.

Activate runs a resistance training programme, coached by Sam Treharne of Treharne Physiotherapy, called 'Activate Masters'. For more information email: hello@activate.ie or call 089 422 8493.

TROPHY: Mr Ewan Plenderleith (General Manager Aghadoe Heights Hotel sponsor) presenting the Aghadoe Heights Hotel Singles Matchplay Trophy to the 2020 Winner Paud O'Donoghue with (right) Captain Harry O'Neill at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club recently.

WINNER: Dr Crokes Golf Society President, Mike Buckley, presents his prize to winner Karl McMahon.

23.12.2020

APPOINTMENTS

53

MOTORING

CAR SERVICE CRASH REPAIRSTYRES

MOTORING

Since early 2019 Clifford has been the brand ambassador for Ahern’s Mazda, and since July this year he has been driving a Mazda CX-30 SUV. The Killarney Advertiser caught up with the ace forward recently where he gave us his impressions after six months driving the CX-30.

“It is a great car to drive, it is very smooth, I am in the petrol model now but having come out of a diesel version I am noticing a great return on the mileage – this is

By Sean Moriarty CONTACT US: T: 064-6632215 or E: sean@killarneyadvertiser.ie

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE

good as we need to be mindful of emissions. The CX-30 has a great finish too,” he said.

Mazda recently launched its MX-30, the electric version of Clifford’s SUV on the Irish market.

To complete the petrol, diesel and electric triple crown, Ahern’s invited the Fossa man to drive their all-new demonstrator.

“It is very nice to drive and I love the interior finish,” he said.

All electric versions come with an automatic gearbox.

“Having come out of a manual [transmission] I thought it was very smooth to drive,” he added.

MAZDA'S MAN: Barry Ryan, Sales Manager with Ahern’s Mazda presenting Kerry football captain David Clifford with his new Mazda CX-30 earlier this year. Also pictured are Pat and Paul Ahern.

Killarney Toning & Beauty Studio In the Fair Hill Car Park Tel : 064 - 6632966

TONING TABLES BOOK A FREE TRIAL PILATES BASED EXERCISE Opening hours : Mon & Thurs 10-7.30 • Wed & Fri 10-7 • Sat 10-5 Week 03 • 19th January 2018 • vol 77 • 3rd Edition • Issue 2321 • Established March 1973 • www.Killarneyadvertiser.ie • 064 6632215 • info@killarneyadvertiser.ie

NEWS MAGAZINE

Clifford’s Mazda affair Kerry footballer David Clifford is better-known for his prowess on the pitch - but the Fossa man is also a dab-hand behind the wheel.

23.12.2020

© Published by KILLARNEY ADVERTISER LTD. Printed by KILLARNEY ADVERTISER. This product is 100% recyclable - Please recycle when used. © All artwork by the Killarney Advertiser and third parties in this issue are protected by Copyright. The Killarney Advertiser reserves the right to alter the content of any advertisement before publication without prior notice.

54

O’Sullivan

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201 BMW 320d M-Sport Plus 190 Portimao Blue 19km 191 Megane GT Line dci 110 Hatch Flame Red 31km

191 Clio TCE 90 Dynamique Nav 5dr Silver 37km

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182 Megane 1.5 dci 110 Grand Coupe Auto Mars Red 50km €18,490

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FAMILY, SUV, ESTATE

181 Megane 1.5 dci 110 G. Coupe Dynamique S Nav 50km €17,900

201 Koleos GT Line dci 150 Auto 18km Mulberry Red

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171 Audi A6 2.0 TDI 190 SE Ultra Auto Grey 93km

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191 BMW 218d SE Active Tourer Automatic White 29km

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191 Captur GT Line dci 90 Flame Red/Black 36km

171 Megane GC 1.5dci Dynamique Nav Auto Black 89km €15,900

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191 Megane Iconic 1.3 TCE 140 Hatch Cosmos Blue 26km €17,900

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191 Megane Play 1.3 TCE 140 Saloon Black 30km Ask us about Low Finance Options€17,900

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171 Megane GT Line Sport Tourer dci 110 White 92km

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161 Kadjar 1.5 dci Dynamique Nav Titanium Grey 86km

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161 GrandScenic 1.5dci Limited Edition 7 Seats Black

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161 Duster 1.5 dci Alternative Silver 121km

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COMMERCIALS

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192 Trafic 9 Seat Minibus Sport Nav 120 LWB Silver 48km €37,900

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MOTORING

23.12.2020

Santa Claus preparing for 211 registration Even Santa Claus is preparing for the new 211 registration plate and has offered his world famous sleigh up for sale as he prepares for an upgraded model in the New Year.

An advert for the sleigh has been spotted on the Auto Trader website. The one-time must-read weekly magazine in Ireland and the UK has, in recent years, switched its in entire operation to an online format.

And while local car buyers and enthusiasts miss their weekly fix of leaving through the magazine, sometimes a few gems pop up online and this week’s offer of Santa’s sleigh is certain to catch the eye of motoring enthusiasts and rare vehicle collectors.

The mileage may seem sky high due to its 197 million miles in travel every Christmas Eve - but it is an immaculate vehicle throughout with just one careful owner - but he does own nine pet reindeer so there may be fur in need of cleaning up.

Special features include weather equipment and wind deflectors, which are ideal for a particularly snowy night of driving house-to-house, and a well-tested stainless-steel luggage rack. Headlights are in immaculate condition, having never been used thanks

SLEIGH SALE: One "carful" owner as Santa prepares for a 211 registration plate in January.

to Rudolph’s annual effort.

However, unfortunately Rudolf doesn’t come with the sleigh as Mrs Claus has confirmed she’s to keep him when he retires.

The CD player is currently stuck on Michael Bublé’s festive hits to enjoy all year round, and while the sleigh

has been fully Santa-tised, the dashboard might need an extra wipe down to remove residual mince pie and milk stains. The sleigh can be viewed after all Christmas Eve duties have been completed and Santa is back tucked up in bed in the North Pole.

“Ho ho ho hello there. My trusty sleigh

has served me well over the past few years, in fact I get very Santa-mental about it. But it’s time to upgrade so I can still get round the world in one night. I’ve now got my eye on another sleigh on Auto Trader – you could say it was love at frost sight,” Santa said this week.

NEWS

23.12.2020

57

CLASSIFIEDS AVAILABLE AVAILABLE: GRASS CUTTING SERVICES. Call David on 086-0719978 AVAILABLE: Removal service, House, Office, Local, Nationwide deliveries, anytime-anywhere, 7 days a week. Also all kinds of clear outs etc. 087-2600407/0646631979.

AVAILABLE: Church music for all occasions.

For a personal and meaningful ceremony, let the voice of experience guide you through your music. Tel. Helen Kerins 0879508050.

AVAILABLE: Brendan Herlihy home maintenance/renovations. Carpentry, painting, power washing, gardening, garden sheds repaired etc. Tel. 087-9364895/ 0646643317.

AVAILABLE: Music lessons- piano, violin, fiddle, guitar, banjo. Garda vetted. ONLINE OPTION ALSO AVAILABLE. Tel John: 0876801392 or Maggie: 087-6961681.

AVAILABLE: Xpress Removal Service. Fast,

frindly and reasonable. Home office, apartment, garage, attic, shed clearout. Legal disposal of all unwanted items. Collection and delivery service. Anything, Anytime, Anywhere. Available 7 days call joe 0872652126

AVAILABLE: FREE collection of old cars.

Contact 087 1667502

ANIMALS ANIMALS: HUG: Homes for Unwanted Greyhounds. For further details please contact us on 087 9822695 or email homesforunwantedgreyhounds@eircom.net.

ANIMALS: KLAWS (Kenmare and Locality Animal Welfare Society) We have a number of adult cats (all colours) awaiting homes.

087-9729240 or 087-9704480.

WANTED WANTED: Block Layers Wanted First year apprentice required. Call 0863895141

it 's your birthday

Happy 18th Shane from your favourite Aunt Would You Like To Include A Birthday/Occasions Photo For Someone?

Please Submit Your Photo By Wednesday At 5.30pm, €20 Per Photo

FOCUSING ON CHARITY: The boys and girls in Fossa National School held a Christmas Jumper Day in aid of Focus Ireland on Friday last.

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PROPERTY & FINANCE

23.12.2020

PROPERTY& FINANCE SECTION IF YOU’D LIKE TO ADVERTISE

CALL US: 064 6632215 OR EMAIL:SALES@KILLARNEYADVERTISER.IE

REA Coyne & Culloty 2 Main St, Killarney E: info@rea.ie T: 064 663 1274

Billy Hennigan Auctioneers 66 New St, Monearmore, Killarney, E: info@henniganauctioneers.com T: (064) 663 4582

Sherry Fitzgerald Coughlan 95 New St, Killarney E: info@sfmc.ie T: 064 663 1892

David O’ Driscoll Muckross Road, Killarney E: info@dodriscoll.com T: 087 795 8386

Ted Healy 11 New St, Killarney E: killarney@dng.ie T:064 639000

Property Partners Gallivan Killarney Business Centre, High St., Killarney, Co Kerry E: killarney@propertypartners.ie T: 064 6634177

Its4rent.ie Property Letting & Management Agent, Killarney Business Centre, Upper High St, Killarney T: 064 6634177 • E: info@its4rent.ie

Maine Valley Property Old Chapel Lane, Milltown, Kerry E: info@mainevalleyproperties.com T: 066 9765577 or 087 6738210

TO LET: x 1 bed apt in New Road, 3 bedroom house in Capel Court, 4 bedroom house in Kilcumin, 2 bedroom house St Mary’s Terrace,4 bed house Rossdara.

Phone Roger on 086-8136888. Licence No. 004026

TO LET: Rooms to rent in Tralee town. Contact 0872461678 TO LET: Large room in shared house excellent condition and location three minutes walk from town centre. Phone 0877828718.

WANTED: Comfortable, insulated 1 bed apartment/bungalow, in quiet area within 5 minutes of Killarney town, with parking.

HAPPS, long-term. 087-6600100 WANTED: Accommodation required for single male in 50s gen builder by trade, so

All Ireland Properties Main Street, Rathmore, Kerry E: allirelandproperties@gmail.com T: 087 243 8182

can keep place up together, exemplary ref, been in this place 10 yrs, landlord revamping, preferably on H.A.P.. scheme, call 0876822317.

23.12.2020

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23.12.2020

Pupils wish the public 'A Very Merry Christmas' | By Michelle Crean Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions pupils have been unable to sing in the classroom this year so one local class decided to take it online!

The Fifth Class girls of Holy Cross Mercy School were very busy the last number of weeks creating their Christmas music video 'A Very Merry Christmas' to spread some much needed Christmas cheer to those far and near.

The school wanted to find a way to bring singing into the classroom from home,

explained teacher Olwyn Trant.

"Through the use of technology that was all made possible. Children recorded themselves from their own homes and sent the videos via the Seesaw App. They created a Christmas original song for all to hear. The aim of the video is to spread a message of love and joy to all our loved ones, remember those who are no longer with us, reflect on the year gone by, but not forgetting the reason for the season – the birth of Jesus."

The video can be viewed on the school's Facebook page: Holy Cross Mercy School Killarney.

Place a heart on the memory tree

NEWS

61

FUNDRAISING: Christmas Jumper Day was held in the Great Southern, Killarney, Royal and Hayfield Manor in Cork recently. As a result the hotels are donating €1,000 each to Cork Simon and Focus Ireland. Pictured: Alex Slabkovskis, Claire Scally and Kamile Lyne.

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT: Mia Clifford pictured getting into the Christmas spirit outside St Mary's Cathedral. Photo: Dylan Clifford

This year Barraduff Tidy Village Group have The Memory Tree back in place outside the church in Barraduff.

The hearts, which cost €5, can be purchased in O'Donoghue's Store Barraduff.

All monies raised will go directly to Barraduff Tidy Village Group and will go directly back in to the community.

"Our Memory Tree is dedicated to all the beautiful souls who are no longer with us but they are always in our hearts," Diane Healy from Barraduff Tidy Village Group said.

"A special Mass will take place for all people named on the memory tree and all the people who have passed away in 2020."

CELEBRATING: Children from Raheen Montessori Playgroup, Leon Real (King), Kate O’Sullivan (Mary), Jimmy Morrissey (Joseph), Keiva O’Donoghue and Saoirse Doyle (angels), pictured celebrating the baby Jesus’s birthday.

NOTICES

62

GRAB ATTENTION WITH A NOTICE AD CONTACT US ON: T: 064-6632215 or E: info@killarneyadvertiser.ie

Weekly Killarney Clinic every Saturday in Scotts Hotel at 3pm Strict Covid-19 protocols will be in place.

I would like to wish all my friends, loyal supporters and constituents a very Happy and Holy Christmas and all the best for 2021

SUDOKU NEWS BRIEFS...

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‘See Hello for Christmas’ initiative launched

Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin is offering a unique way to ensure his neighbours can connect with their loved ones over Christmas and is encouraging others to follow suit.

He has devised the 'See Hello for Christmas' initiative which sets up a video call so that people who are away from home at Christmas can see and talk to their loved ones.

“Many in our communities, especially some older people, still do not use or have access to this technology," he said.

“I’m providing a helpful service in my locality of Keel/Castlemaine by simply arranging to set up a COVID-safe video and audio link on the doorstep of someone who doesn’t have such technology, so their loved one will be able to chat and see them wherever they are in the world."

He is asking people to consider replicating this service in more communities across Kerry and Ireland.

23.12.2020

ADVERTISING

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TO PLACE AN ANNIVERSARY NOTICE CONTACT US ON: T: 064-6632215 or E: info@killarneyadvertiser.ie

IN MEMORIAM 5TH AND 22ND ANNIVERSARY

5TH ANNIVERSARY BECKETT

BECKETT

In loving memory of my husband Martin (Snr) and my son Martin.

Cluainin, Woodlawn Road, Killarney. who died on 30th December 2015 and 6th September 1998.

‘My Two Martins’ You can shed tears that they have gone, You can smile because they have lived, You can close your eyes and pray That they will come back or You can open your eyes and See all that they have left.

Your heart can be empty because you cant see them or You can be full of the love we shared You can turn your back on tomorrow, And live yesterday or you can be happy Tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember and only that They’re gone or, you can cherish their Memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, Be empty and turn your back or You can do what they would want, Smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Always loved by your wife Eileen and Mom. XXX Anniversary Mass on Monday 28th December at 6.15pm, St Marys Cathedral, Killarney

5TH & 22ND ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of our Dad Martin Cluainin, Woodlawn Road, Killarney who died 30th December 2015.

Dad just a prayer from the Family who loved you.

Just a memory fond and true.

In our hearts Dad, you will live forever Because we thought the world of you.

Love you always Dad, Mags, Kerrie and Mike XXX

22ND ANNIVERSARY BECKETT

4TH ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of Kevin Casey, late of Glenflesk, Killarney & Dunmore East who died on Jan 3rd, 2017.

It does not take a special day for us to think of you, a heart of gold that won so many friends, your care for others, your smile, the kiss, the welcome, the willing hands.

Love and memories never die, as each of us remember you in our own special way.

In loving memory of our brother Mart, Cluainin, Woodlawn Road, Killarney. who died 6th September 1998.

Aged 18 years.

Each piece of music we hear Each story well told Every match well played Every kind word spoken All remind us of you Martin You will forever be our brother.

You will forever be our brother

Loved and remembered by your heartbroken parents Paddy and Mary.

11TH ANNIVERSARY Death leaves a heartache no one can heal But love leaves a memory no one can steal.

4th Anniversary Mass will be held in St. Agathas Church, Glenflesk, Friday 8th January at 7:30pm

63RD AND 50TH ANNIVERSARIES COOPER

In loving memory of Nora Cronin, late of Annabeg Gneeveguilla who died on the 24th of December 2009.

We will always have memories, To cherish and hold, Of a wonderful aunt More precious than gold.

Fondly missed by Maggie, Patrick and family. xx

In loving memory of Con and Joan Gallivan, late of Inchicullane, Kilcummin Killarney who died on the 5th of October 1996 and 26th of December 2007.

Memories are special They don’t fade away We think of ye always Not just today.

NOVENA TO ST. ANTHONY Blessed Anthony, in spite of many difficulties you were enabled by the Holy Spirit to discover your place in God’s plan and to use your gifts and talents in making society a better and happier place for all.

Implore the Lord Jesus to grant me suitable employment which may obtain for me and mine a decent livelihood and at the same time be able to live truly human and Christian lives and to be of real service to all people. Amen. MM

FAVIER

In Loving memory of Thomas F (Tommy) and Maureen Cooper The Glebe and Countess Road Killarney who died on the 29th September 1957 and the 28th December 1970.

We think of you in silence We always speak your name, But all we have are memories And your picture in a frame.

NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART

IN MEMORIAM

CRONIN

10TH ANNIVERSARY

Sadly missed and always remembered by your loving family.

You have said O Divine Jesus, ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened to you. Relying on these promises, I come with confidence during this novena to beg of you the favours that I need (make request).

For whom shall I ask Lord Jesus, if not from you whose heart is an unfailing source of graces and merits. Most loving heart of my God. I believe in your power, I believe in your knowledge I believe in your personal love for me, and therefore O Sacred heart of Jesus I place all my trust in you. Our father, Hail Mary and Glory, say 3 times for 3 days must promise publication. PM

Always remembered by your loving husband Jim, sons Pat and James, daughters-in-law Angela and Michelle and grandchildren Steven, Lorraine, Darragh, Laura and Ciara.

XXX

In loving memory of our Granddad and Uncle Martin.

Love Ellie Mai and Frankie XXX

Time and years pass swiftly by But love and memories never die No longer in our lives to share But yesterdays memories are always there.

Love Mags, Kerrie and Mike

GALLIVAN

Your the Uncle we Didn’t know but we love you so.

In loving memory of Mary Cremins, late of 72 Woodlawn Park, Killarney, Who died on the 25th December, 1996.

Loved and sadly missed by your wife Marguerite, sons Paul, Mark and James.

Sisters Marie, Majella , brother Martin and extended family.

24TH & 13TH ANNIVERSARIES

Martin

CREMINS

CASEY

BECKETT

We think of you often We talk about you too We have lots of lovely memories But we wish we still had you.

24TH ANNIVERSARY

Your Resting place we visit, And put flowers there with care, But no one knows the heartache, As we turn and leave you there.

Always remembered by their loving Daughters Katherine and Michelle, sonsin-law Bernie Cronin and Dermot Galvin, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In loving memory of Audrey Favier whose 10th anniversary occurs on Christmas Day Death tries to break, but all in vain To have, to love, and then to part Is the greatest sorrow of one’s heart.

The years may wipe out many things But some they wipe out never.

Like precious special memories of those happy times When we were all together Love Always and Forever Dad, Fergal, Enda and Aoife

NOVENA TO ST. MARTIN Compassionate St. Martin you were always a generous and dedicated worker. Not one day of your life found you idle. Help me now in these difficult times to find suitable employment. I have no wish to be without work. By your prayers I wish to be given a situation where i can use to the full all the gifts that God has given to me. Intercede for me that I will obtain guidance in seeking out possible opportunities. When I am employed obtain for me the graces to be faithful and diligent for the glory of God for my own good and that of all the people we serve. Ask God to give me health of mind and body and generosity in meeting the needs of others. I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. BC

‘For my Sister’ I’m sending a dove to heaven with a parcel On its wings, be careful when you open it, It’s full of beautiful things.

Inside are a million kisses, wrapped up in a million hugs & a btl of Peach Schnapps To say how much I miss you, and send you all my love.

I hold you close within my heart And there you will remain To walk with me throughout my life Until I see you again.

Every Christmas song I hear, makes me smile & think of you.

Love you sissy, always & forever.

Aoife Anniversary Mass 6pm Christmas eve St Agatha’s Church Glenflesk

Anniversaries, Acknowledgements, Remembrances and Novenas can be placed online at www.killarneyadvertiser.ie

IN MEMORIAM

23.12.2020 9TH ANNIVERSARY CURTIN

CHRISTMAS REMEMBRANCE FLEMING (NEE O’SULLIVAN)

In loving memory of Noreen Curtin late of Knocklebede, Kilcummin, Killarney who died on the 2nd of January 2012.

Time passes by, life goes on It’s not the same now you are gone, But we think about you every day, And in our hearts you’ll always stay.

Love from Michael, Michelle, Mickealla, Luke, Zack and Jake.

9TH ANNIVERSARY CURTIN

In loving memory of Noreen Curtin late of Knocklebede, Kilcummin, Killarney who died on the 2nd of January 2012.

Sometimes it seems a lifetime, Sometimes it seems a day, But in our hearts and in our minds You are never far away.

Remembering you is easy We do it everyday But missing you is a heartache That never goes away.

Always remembered by your daughters Marie and Ciara.

9TH ANNIVERSARY CURTIN

In loving memory of Noreen Curtin late of Knocklebede, Kilcummin, Killarney who died on the 2nd of January 2012.

They say there is a reason They say that time will heal But neither time nor reason Will change the way I feel.

For no one knows the heartache That lies behind my smile No one knows how many times I have broken down and cried.

I want to tell you something Noreen So there won’t be any doubt You’re so wonderful to think of But so hard to be without.

Always loved and remembered By husband Bertie.

MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked You for many favours. This time I ask you this very special one (mention favour). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within Your own Heart where Your Father sees it. Then, in His merciful eyes it will become Your favour not mine. Amen.

Say for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted. 4

IN MEMORIAM

1ST ANNIVERSARY & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In loving memory of Hannora (Crissie) Reidy late of Holy Cross and Aghdoe Killarney who died on the 3rd January 2020.

Our First Christmas Together

Her daughter Noreen and the extended family would like to express thanks to all who sympathised with us, sent mass cards and attended the funeral. Our thanks to Fr Kieran O’Brien for a personal and meaningful mass, also to the beautiful choir, and to all who participated in the funeral and mass. Thanks to O’Sheas funeral directors for their understanding and professionalism. We are grateful for the care Hannora received in the Heather ward of St Columbanaus home.

Thanks also to the Killarney Court Hotel for their hospitality. Please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our appreciation, a mass will be offered for your intentions.

Julianne would get up early, with 8 for dinner to make sure everything was done The ham and roast to cook, everything in hand While the dinner was cooking, the rest of us went to Rossbeigh Strand.

We were all hungry when we came back, “Like the old saying, we could eat your hand” On the day as usual everything turned out grand.

Cabbage and ham or a nice roast Mashed, roast potatoes, marrow fat steeped peas of course When the wash up was done and the table clean We would have fruit cocktail, pears, jelly and cream Then we would send Christmas wishes to our family’s home and away.

And then have our annual game of cards to finish off our Christmas day We will say the same thing we have said for the last 5 years Thank you, God, for a wonderful wife and mother, wish you were here.

Years ago, you bought the turkey on market day These are the finest turkeys for sale, they would all say.

When the turkey was plucked, it was less like a turkey and more like a hen A bag of old bones covered over in skin From that Christmas on, we never had turkey in our home Lamb or beef with ham, we left the turkey alone.

Happy Christmas Love you always Your husband Donie and all the family XX

POWERFUL NOVENA This novena never fails. Say it on the hour for 9 hours. Jesus who has said, ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be open to you. Through the intercession of Mary, the Most Holy Mother, I knock, I ask that my prayer will be granted (Make your request).

Oh Jesus, has said all you ask the Father in my name, he will grant through the intercession of Mary, the Most Holy Mother.

I humbly beg and urgently ask the Father in thy Name that my prayer be granted (Make request here) Oh Jesus who has said Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my word shall not pass away through the intercession of Mary, the most Holy Mother. I feel confident my prayer shall be answered. (Make request).

This novena is to be said at the same time every hour for nine consecutive hours - one day. Promised publication, never fails.

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES EVISTON

REIDY

Christmas Remembrance Julianne Fleming (nee O’Sullivan) late of 79 St Brendan’s Terrace, Killarney, whose birthday occurs on 5th August.

Our first Christmas together was in 1964 Thank God we celebrated Christmas for 49 years more Christmas is a holy and happy time, enjoyed by everyone.

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In loving memory of Linda Eviston.

When snowflakes dance on the winter winds and coloured lights Shine christmas cheer, and Family gathers from far and near, The empty spaces within my heart, At this season, seems to grow.

With aching thoughts and memories Of Christmas we spent with you.

So for now I’ll wipe away the tears And join with loved ones dear To celebrate this Christmas time, For I know that, in my heart, you are here.

Your adoring Husband Patrick, Loving son & daughter, Erik & Alannah

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES EVISTON

Hannora 1ST Anniversary Mass will take place in St Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday 2nd January 2021 at 6.15pm

7TH ANNIVERSARY DENNEHY

In loving memory of Sean Eviston. late of Countess road, Killarney.

Wishing you were here today For even just a while So we could say Happy Christmas and see your loving smile.

In loving memory of Shane Dennehy late of Bounard Gneeveguilla who died on the 25th of December 2013.

Loved with a love beyond all telling Missed with a grief beyond all tears.

Loved and remembered every day Mom, David, Derek, Jack, Caitlin and all your extended family.

BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE DILLON

The only gifts today will be your sweet memories left behind of Laughter, Joy and Happiness that echo on in our minds.

The fact that you are no longer here Will Always cause us pain But you are forever in our hearts Until we meet again.

Love always, Mom, Dad, Edward, June, Linda and Patrick

7TH ANNIVERSARY O’SULLIVAN

Birthday Remembrance for Noel Dillon Woodlawn, Killarney whose birthday falls on the 24th of December.

Though we miss you always, We miss you more today, Because it is your birthday, And you are far away.

You may not be here to celebrate, But we always do, Though ‘tis a little sad, When we remember you.

On this day we reminisce, With smiles and frequent tears, As we think about your memories, And wish you were still here.

Loved and missed by Noel’s wife Barbara, daughters Laura & Jen, son-in-law Mike and Jens fiancé Dan. A twinkling star shines in heaven, It comes out every night, That star is our dear Granda Noel, Who comes to say Goodnight.

Love Emma, Jack & Dean x x x

Treasured memories of a loving husband, father and brother Denis O’Sullivan, Knocknaloman, Rathmore who died on December 29th 2013.

Time passes, memories stay, Quietly remembered everyday.

Always loved and remembered by your wife Margaret, daughters Aoife and Sineád, sons Donal and Andrew.

Anniversary Mass Tuesday 29th December at 7:00pm in St. Joseph’s Church, Rathmore.

JESUS May your Sacred Heart Lord Jesus, be praised, glorified and honoured throughout the whole world now and forever. Repeat this 3 times.

Anniversaries, Acknowledgements, Remembrances and Novenas can be placed online at www.killarneyadvertiser.ie

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TO PLACE AN ANNIVERSARY NOTICE CONTACT US ON: T: 064-6632215 or E: info@killarneyadvertiser.ie

IN MEMORIAM

1ST ANNIVERSARY & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

4TH ANNIVERSARY FOLEY

24TH ANNIVERSARY

8TH ANNIVERSARY

O’DONOGHUE

MONGAN

In loving memory of Timothy Patrick O’Donoghue late of Gortdromakerrie, Muckross who passed away on the 27th December 1996.

In loving memory of John Mongan late of Tralee Road Killarney who died on the 22nd of December 2012.

GALVIN

In loving memory of Joan Galvin, Raheen, Headford, Killarney.

Died 25th December 2019 .

The family of the late Joan Galvin deeply appreciate and will always hold in grateful remembrance your kind expression of sympathy at the sad loss of Joan.

Thank you to those who called to our home, attended rosary, removal and funeral, sent Mass cards and letters of sympathy. Thanks to Ross Medical Practice, Killarney Community Hospital, Community Nurse Yvonne Reilly and the staff at O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy, Killarney.

Thank you to Killarney Garda Station, the ambulance service, Fr. Paddy O ‘Donoghue, Murphy Funeral Directors and all who were of great support to us on Christmas Day. Thanks to Joan’s former colleagues from the HSE who formed a guard of honor at the removal and burial also to the soloist and organist for the beautiful music at Mass. Our thanks to Fr. George Hayes and Fr. Gerard O’Leary who celebrated the funeral Mass and Patrick Mullane, altar server.

As it is impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgment as a token of appreciation and gratitude. The holy sacrifice of the mass has been offered for your intentions.

Joan’s First Anniversary mass will take place on Sunday 27th December in Sacred Heart Church, Barraduff at 11am.

3RD ANNIVERSARY KENNY

In loving memory of Kieran Foley, late of Knockreer, Killarney, who died on 4th January 2017.

Here is a little forest, whose leaf is ever green, Here is a brighter garden, where not a frost has been, In its unfading flowers, I hear the bright bee hum: Praythee, my brother, into my garden come!

Sadly missed by your loving brother Niall, sisters Deirdre, Eimear and Caitriona and families.

4TH ANNIVERSARY FOLEY

In loving memory of our son Kieran Foley, Knockreer, Killarney, who died on the 4th of January 2017.

The mention of my child’s name May bring tears to my eyes, But it never fails to bring Music to my ears.

Let me hear the beautiful music of his name It soothes my broken heart And sings to my soul.

Loved and sadly missed by your parents Cormac & Kathleen Foley.

Anniversary Mass will be held in St. Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday the 2nd of January at 6.15pm

In loving memory of Teresa Kenny. late of Mangerton Road, Muckross, Killarney.

Formely of Templenoe.

Who passed away on 27th December 2017.

Anniversary Mass for Teresa will be held At Church of the Resurrection on Monday 28th December at 9.30am.

MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked You for many favours. This time I ask you this very special one (mention favour). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within Your own Heart where Your Father sees it. Then, in His merciful eyes it will become Your favour not mine. Amen.

Say for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted.

IN MEMORIAM

I’m writing this from Heaven where I dwell with God above where there’s no more tears and sadness There’s just eternal love.

When you are walking down the street And you’ve got me on your mind Im walking in your footsteps Only half a step behind.

And when you feel that gentle breeze Or the wind upon your face That’s me giving you A great big hug Or just a soft embrace.

And when it’s time for you to go From that body to be free Remember you’re not going You are coming here to me Loving remembered by your wife Anne, daughters Michelle ,Margaret Aine and Kathleen, your sons Timmy Michael and Donal and your grandchildren.

10TH ANNIVERSARY GRIFFIN

Wrap your arms around him Lord, Don’t leave him on his own, For it is his anniversary, And he can’t come home.

Call his name softly, And when he looks your way, Tell him we love him, And miss him every day.

Sadly missed, always loved and never forgotten by your family at home and abroad.

Anniversary Mass is on Saturday 26th Dec at 6.15pm in St.Mary’s Cathedral.

Even though we know you’re in heaven, Watching us everyday, We wish we could just tell you, Our hearts are full of memories, With pride we speak your name, Though life goes on without you, It will never be the same.

If our memories bring us closer, Then we are never far apart, For you are always with us, In our thoughts and in our hearts.

Time changes many things, One thing that time can’t change, Are the memories of those happy days, When we were all together.

God why you took our John, We just don’t understand, For everyday without him, Has filled our hearts with sadness.

From your loving Dad, Mom and your sister Regina and your son John.

23RD & 14TH ANNIVERSARIES MORIARTY

In loving memory of our dearest Mother Mary Sheehan late of 57 Marian Terrace, Killarney who died on Christmas Eve 24th December, 2006.

Bring me a garland of freedom flowers growing wildly on the hills A delicate rest of primroses, a bunch of daffodils.

From the hedgerow as you pass pick me a slip of wild woodbine And from the woodlands that had my heart a bunch of bluebells fine.

In loving memory of Martin Griffin late of Dalton’s Avenue and Fleming’s Lane who died on the 26th December 2010.

A silent thought, a secret tear, Always wishing our John was here, Life goes on we know it’s true, But that doesn’t stop us missing you.

14TH ANNIVERSARY SHEEHAN (NEE KEATING)

Don’t weep for me my friends When I am gone to rest.

Bring no flowers from a hot house For the wild ones I love best.

Time passes, memories stay, Quietly remembered every day.

Always remembered, your loving husband Michael, sons James and Jeremy, daughter in law Doreen and grandchildren Angelina, Kirsten and Sive, and sister Betty.

A Letter from Heaven

Rest them on a nest of ferns of the finest green Then you have brought to me my friend, a garland for a Queen.

Dearly loved and sadly missed by your sons, daughters, daughters-in-law, sons-inlaw, brothers and sisters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked You for many favours. This time I ask you this very special one (mention favour). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within Your own Heart where Your Father sees it. Then, in His merciful eyes it will become Your favour not mine. Amen.

Say for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted. M O D

In loving memory of our parents Michael & Margaret Moriarty late of Woodlawn Park, Killarney We remember you in the rustling Of leaves beneath our feet We remember you in the whisper Of falling snow.

We remember you in the song Of spring birds.

We remember you in children’s Summer laughter.

You are with us always.

Lovingly remembered by Maureen, Joan, Michele, Brian Sons in Law, Daughter in Law, Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT Holy Spirit You make me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideal.

You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me. I in this short dialogue I want to thank you for everything and confirm once more that I never want to be separated from You no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual Glory. Amen.

(Say this prayer three consecutive days without stating the request, after the 3rd day the request will be granted no matter how difficult it may be. Promise to publish this as soon as your request is granted.)

Anniversaries, Acknowledgements, Remembrances and Novenas can be placed online at www.killarneyadvertiser.ie

IN MEMORIAM

23.12.2020

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3RD ANNIVERSARY

BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE

5TH ANNIVERSARIES

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

O’CONNOR

O’CONNOR

O’SULLIVAN

O’LEARY

In loving memory of Tom & Eileen O’Sullivan, late of Southill, Mill Road, Killarney, Tom, who died on 4th November 2015.

Eileen, who died on t 20th December 2015.

In loving memory of Jerry O’Leary, Late of 4 Emmett’s Terrace, Lewis Road, Killarney.

In loving memory of Pat O’Connor, late of Inch, Kilcummin who passed away on 31st Dec 2017.

I remember the day I met you And the day God made you mine I remember with great sadness When I lost you And will till the end of time.

We made our vows as man and wife ‘Till death do us part’ But when God took you away My whole world fell apart.

As when you lose someone special the hurt is hard to hide but when it’s your husband the hurt goes deep inside.

I miss your laughs and mischievous ways your support for your family cannot be erased.

To reflect on our life together at a glance, Pat I miss the Dance.

Sadly missed and lovingly remembered Your wife Mary.

There is a gentle farmer in heaven, So precious and so rare, That person is our Father The best beyond compare.

Call his name out softly Lord, And when he looks your way tell our Dad we love him and miss him everyday.

Birthday remembrance for our beautiful daughter and sister Amy O’Connor. late of 8 Whitebridge Manor, whose birthday occurs on the 4th January.

No other time could be as sad Or quite as hard to bear, As celebrating your birthday, Without you being there.

You meant the world to everyone, And at this time of year, Your kind and gentle nature, Was so precious and so dear.

Amy we miss you, Every second of every minute, Every hour of every day.

We wish you were here to give you a big hug on your 14th birthday

Our lives go on without you, but nothing is the same, we have to hide our heartache, when someone speaks your names, sad are the hearts that love you, silent are the tears that fall, living without you is the hardest part of all.

Sadly missed by your son Seamus, daughter-in-law Kathleen and grandchildren Jessica & Jamie.

3RD ANNIVERSARY

Anniversary Mass for Pat in Our Lady of Lourdes Kilcummin on Sunday 27th December at 11.30am.

TUCKER

Anniversary Mass for Amy will be held At the Church of the Resurrection on Saturday 27th February 9.30am.

30TH ANNIVERSARY O’CONNOR

In loving memory of Stephen Tucker late of 1 Cois Cnoic, Shrone Cross and Woodlawn Park whose birthday occurs on St. Stephen’s Day December 26th.

So young to die, so precious to lose We had no choice, we could not choose.

Falling tears and heartache Are things we have to bear.

In loving memory of Cathy O’Connor 7 O’Kelly’s Villas, Killarney who died on 25th December 1990.

Our thoughts are always with you Cathy, Though you have passed away, We love and miss you dearly, And think of you every day.

Sadly missed and remembered by Caroline, Padraig and family.

Anniversary Mass will be In St. Mary’s Cathedral at 6:15pm On Saturday 26th December.

7TH & 17TH ANNIVERSARY SOMERS

5TH ANNIVERSARY WHITE

But losing you as a son, brother will always seem unfair. memories are a keepsake this we know is true but we never wanted memories We only wanted you.

We wish with all our hearts That you were here with us today Happy 43rd birthday Stephen.

Time and years go gently by but love and memories never die. no longer in our lives to share, but in our hearts you are always there.

Loved and sadly missed by your son Cian and Tracy xx

O’NEILL

The seasons change and the years pass by, but our memories are precious like leaves of gold they never tarnish or grow old.

Though absent you are both always near and in our thoughts and hearts each day throughout the year.

Fondly remembered, never forgotten, sadly missed and loved always by all your family

IN MEMORIAM

Precious people are very few, that is why there was only one of you.

Lord treasure them in your garden of rest, because on earth she was one of the best.

Loved and always remembered by your loving daughter Patricia, son-in-law John, grandchildren and families of Angela, Julie and Denis.

We will always have memories to cherish and to hold of a wonderful Dad, more precious than gold, you always had a smile to share, a laugh, a joke, a time to care, A wonderful nature, warm and true, these are loving memories of you.

Sadly missed by your daughter Sheila, Son in Law, Robbie and Grandson Emmet

3RD ANNIVERSARY O’LEARY

In loving memory of Jeremiah (Jerry) O’Leary, No. 4 Emmett’s Terrace, Lewis Road, who died on the 26th of December 2017.

He never looked for praises, He was never one to boast, He just went on quietly working, For the ones he loved the most.

His dreams were seldom spoken, His wants were very few, and most of the time his worries went unspoken too.

He was there a firm foundation through, all our storms of life.

In loving memory of Margaret White, Late of Knockeenduve East, Who died on 2nd of January 2016.

Happy memories keep forever, of days when we were all together.

They bring a smile and often a tear, and always a wish that you were still here.

In loving memory of Jerry O’Leary 4 Emmett’s Terrace, Lewis Road Killarney. Co. Kerry Who died 26th of December 2017 RIP

Love Mom, Denis, Olivia, Gavin. Sisters-inlaw Amelia and Rosie, brother-in-law Ger. niece Lauren, nephews Dylan, Darragh, Rory, Luke and Marc xx

7TH ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of Marian Somers, 31 Deerpark, Killarney, who died 19th December 2013 and her son Timothy Somers who died on 22nd November 2003.

O’LEARY

BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE

Sadly missed by Aisling, Cormac and Molly.

Sadly missed by your sisters Sheila and Mary and family.

Your loving sisters,Mary, Kathleen, Joan, Eddie and Family.

Love Mom, Dad & Cian

We miss you so much Dad

No matter how life changes, No matter what we do, A special place within our hearts Is always there for you.

Memories of the past Jerry will never be forgotten.

Your kind and loving ways are always in our hearts.

Rest in Peace dear Jerry.

Sing, Laugh and Smile.

You are always on our minds, until we meet again.

In loving memory of Mary O’Neill, late of 6 Plunkett Street, Killarney who died on the 22nd December 2013.

On a December Sunday morning, You quietly left us all, But as you would have said yourself, “You must answer the Lord’s call” But we have such precious memories, Your wonderful nature, kind and true, Though Heaven and Earth divide us, We are never far from you.

From the O’Neill family, Castlelough.

A sturdy hand to hold on to, in times of stress and strife.

A true friend we cold turn to, when times were good or bad, One of our greatest blessings, The man that we called Dad. Always loved and sadly missed by your son Jerry, Grandson Jer, his wife Aurea and Great-grandson Lucas.

Anniversary Mass will be on Sunday 27th December at 10:30am in St.Mary’s Cathedral, via webcam.

Anniversaries, Acknowledgements, Remembrances and Novenas can be placed online at www.killarneyadvertiser.ie

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ADAM MOYNIHAN E: sport@killarneyadvertiser.ie

SUPPORT

KILLARNEY

SEE OUR COLUMNISTS’ COVERAGE OF THE WEEK IN SPORT EAMONN FITZGERALD & SEAN MORIARTY

COUNTY FIRST Follow Adam on Twitter @AdamMoynihan

| By Adam Moynihan

• Intercounty GAA to run from February to July

Intercounty football and hurling are set to occupy the first half of the 2021 GAA calendar as the Association readies itself for another season of COVID-affected competition.

It had initially been hoped that the All-Ireland championships could be staged later in the year when spectators are more likely to be permitted to attend, but that would have necessitated a club-first approach. With non-elite level sports on hold until the country returns to Level 2 or Level 1 of the government’s COVID strategy, and with such a move seemingly unlikely before February, the GAA’s hand was forced.

Croke Park will now adopt a split season model for the first time with intercounty running from February to July and club taking over thereafter. The National Football League will take on a new format with Divisions 1-4 splitting into two pools of four called ‘North’ and ‘South’. This is an attempt to limit the amount of travel being undertaken by the participating teams.

In the top-flight, this will see the four Ulster counties (Armagh, Tyrone, Donegal and Monaghan) squaring off in Division 1 North with defending champions Kerry being joined by Mayo, Galway and All-Ireland champions Dublin in Division 1 South. Teams will play each other once (three games in total) with the top two in each pot advancing to the cross-conference semi-finals.

A similar format will be applied to relegation with the bottom two in each group playing off in the relegation playoffs. The two losing teams will be relegated to Division 2.

The hurling leagues will be played off in the same format as 2020.

BACK DOOR

As for the championships, both the football and the hurling will be similar in structure to this year’s tournaments but the qualifiers will return, potentially offering teams a backdoor route to glory.

The Tailteann Cup, an intermediate football competition featuring all Division 3 and 4 teams who do not win their provincial championships, will also be played for the very first time. The finals of the football and hurling championships are slated for July.

Assuming that COVID restrictions have been eased by then, the club window will run from July 25 to October 24 with some matches being played in the spring/early summer (without the services of county players).

AMATEUR

Meanwhile, away from the GAA, it could be some time before local amateur sportspeople return to competitive action. Ireland needs to be at Level 2 for lower-level competition, such as local soccer and rugby, to resume. Outdoor, non-contact training in pods of up to 15 can continue under the current guidelines, as can golf with certain restrictions when it comes to travel.

The situation with national basketball competitions remains unclear after some mixed messaging from Basketball Ireland in recent weeks.

Unfortunately, another lockdown could put all plans of a return on hold, so at this time it’s very difficult to say how sport will shape up in 2021. More uncertainty lies ahead, but fingers crossed all of our local sportspeople will be back doing what they love before too long.

EYES FORWARD: David Clifford and Kerry will have their sights set on next season's All-Ireland final, which will be played in the summertime for the first time since 1921.

Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile.

23.12.2020

Mayo no match for high-flying Dubs Champions see off old rivals to make it six-in-a-row ALL-IRELAND SFC FINAL _________________________________________________________________________________

Dublin

2-14 | Mayo 0-15

CROKE PARK There was to be no fairytale finish for Mayo on Saturday as this unique, Christmastime finale played out pretty much as expected.

Dublin retained their title for the fifth straight year as Stephen Cluxton, James McCarthy, Philly McMahon, Michael Fitzsimons, Kevin McManamon, Cian O'Sullivan and Michael Dara Macauley joined Mikey Sheehy, Ogie Moran, Pat Spillane, Ger Power and Páidí Ó Sé on eight All-Irelands.

Worryingly for the competition, the Dubs are already odds-on favourites to win again in 2021. Certainly based on their performance last weekend, there’s no sign of them going anywhere any time soon.

PLAN Mike Tyson once said that everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth and whatever plans Mayo had for Dublin last weekend, they counted for little when James McCarthy teed up Dean Rock for an easy goal after just 13 seconds of play.

With his palmed effort, Rock broke Kerryman Garry McMahon’s record of 34 seconds which had stood since the 1962 final between Kerry and Roscommon. More records were to fall before

the day was done.

To their credit, Mayo did not fold and thanks to the best efforts of Oisín Mullin, Ryan O’Donoghue and Cillian O’Connor, the first half was fairly nip and tuck.

Dublin did goal again in the 23rd minute when Con O’Callaghan punched the ball past David Clark from close range; it was Dublin’s eighth goal of the championship and the fifth to come via the hand.

But the Connacht champions stayed in contention and trailed by just two at half-time.

ARM’S LENGTH

The Dubs started the second half a man light as Robbie McDaid found himself in the bin for a body check late in the first but scores by Brian Fenton and Niall Scully kept Mayo at arm’s length. Points by substitute Stephen Coen and Cillian O’Connor levelled the match just before the second water break, however, and at this point the underdogs were well in contention.

Unfortunately for the team trying to end a 69-year famine, Dublin took control thereafter, rattling off score after score en route to what was, in the end, a fairly comfortable win. Substitutes Brian Howard and Paul Mannion chipped in

with fine points as Dessie Farrell’s side ran out five-point winners, and an unprecedented six-in-a-row was secured.

For Mayo, the tragedy continues. This latest defeat makes it 10 All-Ireland final defeats since 1989.

DUBLIN SCORERS: Dean Rock 1-4 (4f), Con O’Callaghan 1-1, Ciarán Kilkenny 0-3, Brian Fenton 0-1, John Small 0-1, Niall Scully 0-1, Seán Bugler 0-1, Brian Howard 0-1, Paul Mannion 0-1 (1f).

MAYO SCORERS: Cillian O’Connor 0-9 (5f, 2m), Ryan O’Donoghue 0-2, Oisín Mullin 0-1, Stephen Coen 0-1 (1m), Conor Loftus 0-1, Darren Coen 0-1.

DUBLIN: Stephen Cluxton; Michael x Fitzsimons, David Byrne, Jonny Cooper; Eoin Murchan, John Small, Robbie McDaid; Brian Fenton, James McCarthy; Niall Scully, Ciarán Kilkenny, Seán Bugler; Paddy Small, Con O’Callaghan, Dean Rock. Subs: Brian Howard for Bugler, Paul Mannion for P Small, Com Basquel for Cooper, Cormac Costello for Scully.

MAYO: David Clark; Chris Barrett, Oisín Mullin, Lee Keegan; Patrick Durcan, Stephen Coen, Eoghan McLaughlin; Conor Loftus, Matthew Ruane; Kevin McLoughlin, Ryan O’Donoghue, Diarmuid O’Connor; Tommy Conroy, Aidan O’Shea, Cillian O’Connor. Subs: Michael Plunkett for Durcan, James Carr for Conroy, Darren Coen for O’Donoghue, Jordan Flynn for Loftus, James Durcan for McLaughlin.

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Mike Tyson once said that everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth and whatever plans Mayo had for Dublin last weekend, they counted for little when James McCarthy teed up Dean Rock for an easy goal after just 13 seconds.

HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE THE REST: Dublin midfielder Brian Fenton rises high to field a kickout during Dublin's five-point victory over Mayo in Croke Park.

Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile.

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Famine continues for luckless Mayo

23.12.2020

| By Eamonn Fitzgerald

Killarney Advertiser Sport columnist Eamonn Fitzgerald gives his assessment of Dublin’s five-point victory over Mayo in the All-Ireland football final Congratulations to Dublin on a well-deserved win and thank you to Mayo for giving TV viewers worldwide such a thrilling All-Ireland final.

As expected, Dublin rewrote the history books once more on Saturday last in a near-empty Croke Park, defeating Mayo 2-14 to 0-15 and claiming the unequalled record of six-in-a-row All-Ireland SFC titles, leaving every other team in the country languishing in the backwater.

They did this without being at their best and a silent Hill 16 didn’t cause them any bother whatsoever. They now have 30 All-Irelands, still below Kerry on 37, but we haven’t lifted The Canister since Kieran O’Leary and Fionn Fitzgerald did just that in 2014.

For luckless Mayo their All-Ireland famine since 1951 continues. Mind you I was very impressed by them. They put it up to Dublin right up to the last water break. That was the watershed point in this very entertaining and very well contested final.

FASTEST GOAL

We knew the Dubs were good and now we know Mayo are good, even if they got off to a disastrous start.

Mayo needed goals. Dublin scored two.

It took Dublin just 13 seconds to break another long-standing record, often referred to in this column. Garry McMahon, the Kerry corner-forward in the 1962 final against Roscommon, scored a goal on 34 seconds and that record stood until Saturday afternoon last.

Aidan O’Shea, wearing number 14, went out to midfield for the throw-in, because of his size and jumping ability. He seemed Mayo’s best bet to gain first possession and set down a marker.

He jumped alright but James McCarthy timed his jump perfectly and went Route 1 for goal. He spotted Niall Scully making tracks on his left and sent an accurate pass. His job wasn’t complete, so he kept running at full belt, and executed the one-two that kills off any interception.

He could have continued motoring and shot himself, but that is not the Dublin way. Give the ball smartly and quickly to

the player best positioned to score. He noticed Dean Rock free and he added the killing punch. Raise the green flag.

A terrible ordeal for David Clarke, but he was utterly blameless.

I can visualise Mayo supporters all over the world, just settling down in the comfort of their own homes and bang, the curse of Mayo in All-Ireland finals continues with unfortunate regularity. But this Mayo team didn’t cave in.

MIDFIELD Mayo matched Dublin for speed, physicality and determination. They more than held their own at midfield and did not allow Brian Fenton to dominate.

Great work was done here by Diarmuid O’Connor, tracking the big fella whose father (also Brian) played his football locally with Spa. They snuffed out or cut out supply to Ciarán Kilkenny, who usually sets up the Dublin scores. He was forced to kick wides and all was not well, even after that tonic goal.

Crucially, Mayo delivered great points, especially their most prolific scorer Cillian O’Connor who kicked nine points in all (but no goals this time). Mayo were back level after three minutes. They forced the play and then one knew this was going to be a real competitive game.

It certainly was. Mayo were the better team in that first half but still were two points adrift at the interval (2-6 to 0-10).

Significantly, Dublin scored two goals and Mayo never looked like bulging the net. Con O’Callaghan ghosted away from the Mayo defence and was perfectly positioned to slam home a great pass from Niall Scully. Once again, David Clarke could do little about the outcome of that 22nd minute goal.

Mayo did not panic as they tacked on the points. Neither did Dublin, who lost Robbie McDaid to a black card just on half-time. Down just two points and with Dublin having to forage for 10 minutes with 14 men was the first time I saw a chink in Mayo’s armoury. The half-time break gave James Horan the ideal time out to make that numerical advantage

PHOTO OF THE YEAR: Defeated Mayo captain Aidan O'Shea looks on forlornly as Colm Basquel of Dublin lifts the Sam Maguire cup. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

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23.12.2020 count. He didn’t and instead of defending their lead Dublin refused to panic and imposed their game on Mayo for those crucial 10 minutes.

Mayo should have been more offensive, giving someone like Lee Keegan a roving offensive role. There were other game-changers. Fenton showed his true great self and so did Kilkenny. All Dessie had to do was nod to the bench and unload two current All-Stars, Paul Mannion and Brian Howard, against a tiring Mayo side. Imagine the luxury of leaving two fit All-Stars out of the starting 15…

WATER BREAK

Mayo hung in there, drawing level for the fifth time in the 50th minute (2-8 to 2-14). The Dubs went just one point ahead for the last water break and then cut loose, scoring five match-winning

points, while Mayo could only manage one score in reply. The sheer fitness and availability of fresh, class players that Dublin could rely on proved too much for Mayo and the Dubs didn’t have to raise a whip as they cantered home, galloping to a well-deserved title.

Mayo have some very promising young players and there is hope for the future.

I was very impressed by newcomer Oisín Mullins, Ryan O’Donoghue, Lee Keegan (more effective I feel in the half-back line), the O 'Connor brothers and Paddy Durkin, who did a great job on Cíarán Kilkenny until he had to go off injured at half-time, a big blow to Mayo.

Job done. Six on the trot and a bagful of All-Ireland medals, some now on eight to match the Kerry greats, such as Ogie, Mikey, Páidí and others. No need to mention the Templenoe man; he plays

the tannoy on a bigger stage these days.

O’SULLIVAN

Delighted to hear that Declan O’Sullivan will be the new Kerry U20 football manager for 2021 and 2022. His pedigree is excellent. Himself and the Galway Meehan brothers, Michael and Declan, were the best colleges football players I saw in action over a 40-year period. Their displays with Coláiste na Sceilge and St Jarlath’s were well ahead of others and they delivered the same class with their respective counties after leaving school.

Declan has many strings to his bow and with Seán O’Sullivan, his former Kerry teammate, as well as John Galvin (Dr Crokes) already on board, he will flesh out the full management team early in 2021.

This is the last edition of On the Ball for

2020 and even with COVID-19, there was plenty to talk about and write about.

It proved once again that sport plays a very significant role in the physical, mental and emotional health of our readers.

Sport is central to the psyche of Killarney people: so much to learn, to practice, to meet treasured friends, to make new friends and to marvel that rowing, Killarney’s oldest sport, is still thriving, as indeed are all the other sports.

An té a bhíonn siúlach, bíonn scéalach.

It has been a joy once more to walk with you through 2020 and to pick up those wonderful stories for On the Ball.

2020 taught us of the wisdom in the old Irish proverb, ‘is fearr an tsláinte ná na táinte’. Health is better than wealth.

2021 beckons with renewed optimism and enthusiasm. Nollaig Shona agus slán tamaillín.

Fenton showed his true great self and so did Kilkenny. All Dessie had to do was nod to the bench and unload two current AllStars, Paul Mannion and Brian Howard, against a tiring Mayo side.

DUBLIN’S SIX-IN-A-ROW 2020: Dublin 2019: Dublin 2018: Dublin 2017: Dublin 2016: Dublin 2015: Dublin

2-14 1-18 2-17 1-17 1-15 0-12

Mayo Kerry Tyrone Mayo Mayo Kerry

0-15 0-15 1-14 1-16 1-14 0-9

FRIENDS REUNITED: Dean Rock, Sam Maguire and Ciarán Kilkenny after Dublin's latest triumph in Croke Park. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

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Good riddance, 2020 | By Adam Moynihan

Signing off on our last edition of the year, Killarney Advertiser Sports Editor Adam Moynihan reflects on a tumultuous 12 months of sport As the clock winds down on this annus horribilis, I’m sure that you, my fellow sports fans, will readily join me in saying “good riddance” to 2020. Thanks for very little.

It really was a brutal year for players, administrators, fans and coaches, as we swerved back and forth from normalcy to lockdown, from action to inactivity, and from certainty to absolute chaos.

Yes, there are more important things in life than sport but when sport is a huge part of your life, losing it, as we all did for spells this year, is a big deal. One positive to take from 2020 is that we did, at least, get to play and watch some sport in the past few months, because at more than one point it looked like that would not be possible.

The government’s decision to grant the GAA permission to run off their intercounty championships was controversial at the time, but I think it has been justified. A lot of us would have been lost without the hurling or the football at the weekend and it seems as though the fears surrounding COVID transmission within and between squads did not become a reality. The championships were a success, although not for the Kerry senior footballers, granted.

Aside from COVID and the lockdown, that shock defeat to Cork will unfortunately go down as the most memorable story of the year in this part of the world.

In the build-up to the match I wrote that 2020 has been nothing if not strange, and what would be stranger than Cork beating Kerry? Truth be told, I didn’t believe it would happen. As weird as things had been, (Liverpool winning the league, for example) I didn’t think they could possibly get that weird. How wrong I was.

The football championship also threw up two rare feelgood stories: Tipp winning Munster and Cavan winning Ulster.

The rest of it was painfully predictable, however, and Dublin’s sixth win in a row simply reaffirms just how shaky a place Gaelic football is in right now. Hope springs eternal, and Kerry are absolutely capable of beating Dublin – I still believe that and I know the players do too – but I also believe that the competition structure and the funding situation both need

to be overhauled to safeguard the future of the sport.

SUCCESS

Locally, it was a great year for Killarney Celtic as they sampled success at senior and youths level, the Dr Crokes hurlers and senior ladies teams won their respective county championships, and East Kerry retained their Kerry SFC title in impressive fashion. In basketball, the Killarney Cougars were accepted into the National League, potentially setting up an exciting new rivalry at that level with crosstown rivals the Scotts Lakers.

The league is currently suspended due to COVID but sparks could fly when that match is finally played.

Meanwhile, the opening of the Killarney Valley AC Arena was a hugely positive step for local athletics.

Sadly, local clubs lost some great servants in 2020 and while I won’t start mentioning names now for fear that I’ll leave someone out, their clubmates will know who I’m talking about.

The wider sporting community also lost some icons. Kobe Bryant, Jack Charlton and Diego Maradona were three giants in their respective sports and their deaths affected millions of fans worldwide.

When you take everything into consideration, it really was a terrible year for so many reasons. I suppose the good news is that it’s nearly over now.

THANK YOU

From a personal perspective I’d just like to thank all of you, our readers, first and foremost for your continued support.

I’d also like to thank Eamonn Fitzgerald and Seán Moriarty for their excellent weekly columns; all the clubs (especially the PROs) for your contributions and assistance throughout the year; everyone who has provided photos, especially Eamonn Keogh, Séamus Healy and Sportsfile; and all the players and coaches who have picked up the phone to do interviews along the way.

In spite of everything, you all helped to keep us going through what was a very difficult 12 months. Hopefully, the New Year will bring with it some brighter days and this time next year we’ll all be reflecting on some happier memories.

HEARTBREAK: Lee Keegan in the aftermath of Mayo's defeat to Dublin. The Mayo footballers weren't the only ones to experience an emotional rollercoaster in 2020. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile.

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OPINION WEEKLY SPORT

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Our sports editor ADAM MOYNIHAN shares his thoughts on the week's burning issues

It’s not about Dublin or Kerry, it’s about saving the game we love We need to talk about Dublin. And we need to do it now.

Every debate on The Dublin Issue must be prefaced with your standard, “Take nothing away from them, they’re a great team etc.”, and while it might grate with some people, personally I partake in this song and dance willingly. They are a remarkable team stacked with remarkable players. The entire Dublin set-up is incredible and one that deserves admiration and respect. From a sporting perspective, anything less is just plain wrong.

In this corner of the country, one must also distance oneself from one’s Kerry bias before getting down to the nitty gritty. As Dublin’s greatest rivals, we have the most to lose from their continued dominance, and the most to gain from any prospective loosening of their stranglehold.

And I can do that too, if skeptics are willing to listen. As much as I want to see Kerry succeed, there is a much bigger picture, one that dwarfs the fortunes of Dublin or of Kerry. Hand on heart I can say that that is my motivation for seeking change.

So, now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s get into it.

If a competition is won six times in a row by the same team, and if that team devours the opposition in every match excepting the final, there is something

fundamentally wrong with that competition. The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship is dying. It’s well on its way to suffering the same fate as the provincial tournaments, which are already dead.

And I know that might be an unpopular opinion at the moment considering what Tipp and Cavan managed recently, but one swallow doesn’t make a summer. The very fact that Tipp had to wait 85 years to win a six-team competition tells you everything you need to know about the Munster Championship. And bear in mind that Limerick and Waterford are waiting even longer.

If you love the GAA, I don’t care if you’re from Killarney or Clontarf, you have to want the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship to live and to prosper.

That has to be the case. It can’t just be “win at all costs”, and to hell with everyone else.

Dublin fans might well turn around and say, “you weren’t saying that in ‘81” or “you wouldn’t be saying that if Kerry were on for seven”. Two points here.

Firstly, there are very few similarities between Kerry’s reign in the eighties and Dublin’s reign now. In the seventies and eighties, Kerry did not get more funding than the rest of the country, and a quarter of the country’s population did not

live in Kerry at the time.

Kerry had a great team and a great manager who milked them for all they were worth, but it was never going to last forever. When that era ended, it was 11 years before Kerry got back to the top table again. Dublin, meanwhile, are a self-sustaining superpower who pump through new talent, and replace old talent, on a yearly basis.

And secondly, and maybe more importantly, I absolutely would be saying the same thing if Kerry were going for seven on the bounce. Frankly, I don’t see how someone could even enjoy that level of one-sidedness. That’s not sport. I would actually go so far as to challenge Dublin supporters to re-evaluate their position on this. Are you actually enjoying watching your team beat opponents by 20plus points? Is that fun?

Winning is great. No one gets tired of winning. But crushing opponent’s who aren’t even on the same level as you?

At what point does that become utterly meaningless, if it hasn’t already?

The sport is in crisis. If you can’t see that or if you refuse to accept it just because Dublin are winning, you’re actually letting the GAA down in my opinion. And that applies to the people in Croke Park too.

Is the problem easily fixed? No, abso-

lutely not. But surely efforts have to be made. Remodelling the competition would be a start, and that looks like it might happen in 2022. For the sake of entertainment alone, teams need to be grouped according to ability. It won’t change the fact that Dublin will be favourites, but at least it will (hopefully) cut out most of the maulings.

Funding also needs to be addressed.

Dublin fans might tell us that the funding hasn’t contributed to their success, but that’s like someone saying “you wouldn’t like it” when you ask them for a square of chocolate.

Taking Dublin out of Croke Park is a relatively easy one, too, and I can’t believe it hasn’t been sorted already.

And look, you won’t hear any Kerry players cribbing about Dublin, because they believe they can beat them as is.

They certainly don’t want to beat half of them, and personally I’d be of the same mind. Splitting Dublin in two has to be the last resort.

But it isn’t about helping Kerry or hindering Dublin. This is about saving Gaelic football. And it has to be done now while we still care, because if it carries on down this same path, it could actually reach the stage where we don’t.

NUMBER 6: The Dublin footballers celebrate their sixth All-Ireland in a row.

How many more do they have in store?

Pic: Sportsfile.

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23.12.2020

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Call 064-6632215 or email sport@killarneyadvertiser.ie

Five-time Paralympic gold-medallist backs Killarney project

| By Sean Moriarty Ireland's most decorated sprinter and the fastest paralympian on the planet, Jason Smyth, has endorsed the newly opened Killarney Valley AC Arena.

EXCLUSIVE

SIX-TIMES: Dublin star Brian Fenton with former Kerry star Dara Ó Cinnéide and fellow Dubliner Ciarán Kilkenny at a Spa GAA fundraiser in 2016. Photo: Spa GAA Archive

Fenton family are singing the Blues | By Sean Moriarty There is least one Killarney family celebrating Dublin’s sixth All-Ireland Football Championship in a row on Saturday.

Brian Fenton Sr, a proud Spa GAA clubman is the father of Dublin superstar Brian Jr who played his way into the record books on Sunday.

The Fenton family are steeped in Spa and East Kerry GAA history.

Brian Sr has two O’Donoghue Cup medals to his name and his late brother Denis was the long-time secretary of the East Kerry Board during the divisional sides glory years of the 1970s.

Fenton Jr, who plays his club football

with Raheny first made the Dublin team in 2015.

Since then ‘The Blues’ have gone on to win six All-Ireland championships in a row. To achieve this unprecedented record they have now gone 42 games unbeaten.

Fenton Jr has started in 41 of them and only missed one Super 8 game last season – a match that Dublin did not need to win as they had already qualified for that season’s All-Ireland football semi-final.

“It was very hard this year,” said Brian Sr. “Until this summer I never missed a Dublin game that Brian played in.”

In pre-COVID-19 times, Brian Jr was a regular visitor to his father’s club and even helped Spa GAA with a fundraiser in 2016.

A multiple paralympic gold medallist, the Derry-based athlete is legally blind as he is affected by Stargardt's disease but regularly posts 100m times within Olympic qualification standards.

He won two golds for Ireland at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics setting records at the Men's 100-metre and the 200-metre races.

Four years later Smyth hoped to compete in both the Paralympics and the Olympics in London. He set a time of 10.22s for the 100 metres in May 2011 but this was just 0.04s short of the time needed to secure a place in the Olympic games.

He went on to represent Ireland in that year’s Paralympics where he repeated his Beijing medal haul.

Four years later he took his fifth gold by winning the 200-metre race in Rio de Janeiro.

In a recent video post he has backed the

SUPPORTER: Jason Smyth on his way to victory during the 2016 Rio Olympics. The Derry man has lent his support to the Killarney Valley AC Arena.

new Killarney Valley AC Arena which opened last month.

“There is a huge amount of work gone in by the people involved,” he said. “It is a fantastic facility.”

Fundraising is ongoing, to pay off a construction loan – visit the arena’s GoFundMe page by searching Killarney Valley Athletics Club Arena – to donate.

New bike for 2021 as Coyne moves up a class Killarney motorcycle racer Kevin Coyne has unveiled the new Kawasaki Ninja 636 that he will race in Britain next season.

The 18-year-old contested the British Junior Supersport championship last season but will step up to the British National Superstock 600 class for 2021 which runs alongside the prestigious British SuperBike (BSB) championship.

“It is a big step up from this year but it is all part of a two-year plan,” his father Mark

said. "Next year is all about learning the new bike and learning the tracks Kevin has not raced on before ahead of a bigger plan in 2022.”

With the BSB not getting underway until May 1 to 3, Coyne hopes to run the new bike in one or both of the opening rounds of Dunlop Irish Masters in Mondello Park in County Kildare in March and April next year.

He will test the new bike in Spain in early March, shortly after his planned season launch in late February.

NEW WHEELS: Kevin Coyne on board his newly acquired Kawasaki Ninja 636 that he will race in Britain next season.

EXCLUSIVE

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MEK Galaxy DOCUMENTARY: Not many clubs have the privilege of having their very own documentary. MEK Galaxy have that honour. Fulltime Productions have been following our Senior A squad for the last year, as they start their journey into the upper echelons of Kerry District League soccer. Known for streaming most local sporting events around the county, Kevin Kelliher and his team have history in producing top quality documentaries, including Full Time Whistle. We have great fun being part of this project, and it has culminated in a four-part docuseries called Fulltime Seasons: A year with MEK Galaxy. The first episode went live last Sunday, and everyone at the club are very proud of it. Episode 2 on this coming Sunday at 8pm on Fulltime Productions Facebook page. Well done to all involved.

LAST MAN STANDING: In our 2nd edition of LMS this season, Spurs fan and more importantly, MEK’s U13 Girls manager Paul Barrett takes the €100 prize money. Aston Villa the team providing him with his big win on the final round of games. Well done Paul.

POTY AWARD: MEK Galaxy are extremely proud of Orla Barrett, who through her fantastic performances with the Kerry U13 Gaynor Cup team, earned the Player of the Year award. The award was presented to her by Kerry manager David McIndoe. A lot of credit is due to Orla, who works tirelessly for club and county. Orla has also been invited to train in the FAI Munster Centre of Excellence in Limerick. A nod also goes to mom and dad, Lisa & Martin, who are always 100% behind Orla, and their other superstar in the family, Kerry LOI player Finn. A very talented family.

XMAS: Finally, we want to wish all our players, parents, coaches, supporters

BEST PLAYER: Matt Keane (Killarney Celtic Player of the Year) receives the Aidan Cronin Memorial Shield and Trophy from Paul Sherry, Ann Cronin, and Brian Spillane.

and sponsors a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and safe 2021.

Killarney Legion GAA XMAS: Killarney Legion would like to thank all our sponsors, mentors, players and supporters for the continued support throughout a hard year. Happy Christmas and have a healthy and prosperous New Year for 2021.

KERRY MINORS: Well done to our lads William Shine and Darragh Fleming against Cork in the Munster minor semi-final. Best of luck for the next game lads.

DEEPEST SYMPATHIES: The club extends its deepest sympathies to Jonathan, Denise and the Lyne Family on the death of Arthur Eoin O’Keefe. RIP. LOTTO: Winners of the Baileys, they can

CHRISTMAS CHEER: Santa paying a visit to Spa GAA club in the lead-up to Christmas.

be collected from Ulster Bank. Thank you all for your continued support. Next jackpot €6,300 plus €10,000 bonus.

Spa GAA MERRY CHRISTMAS: Wishing all our families, friends, members, neighbours, and supporters at home and abroad a very safe, joyful and happy Christmas.

CONGRATULATIONS to Brian Fenton and the Dublin team and management on their 2020 All-Ireland final win.

SANTA CALLS TO SPA: We had a very special visitor to the clubhouse when Santa stopped by for a quick visit to collect all your letters and to wish everyone in Spa a very Happy Christmas!

LOTTO: No winner. Our Spa weekly Lotto draw continues each week and the jackpot this Monday is €6,200! Tickets

on sale online on spagaa.com or can also be purchased at Dalys Supervalu, Killarney Hardware, Centra Muckross Rd, Spa clubhouse or from usual sellers. Thank you all for your continued support as this is our only income for the club at the moment.

VACANCY: Community Employment Supervisor (Killarney CE). Applicants are requested to submit a CV together with a photocopy of their education certification before January 15. Email CVs to mary@kaslltdproject.com or post to CE Programme, c/o Donie Foley, St. Brendan’s College, Killarney, Co. Kerry.

CONDOLENCES: Our deepest sympathies to the family of Arthur Eoin O’Keeffe, RIP, Lissivigeen. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a Anam.

B TEAM: Pa McGrath receives the Killarney Celtic Senior B Player of the Year award from Paul Sherry and team managers Stephen Hayes and Jerry Falvey.

Also pictured are Pa's children, Paul and Eryk.

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Dr Crokes GAA LOTTO: Jackpot for draw on December 21st will be €6,500. We are calling on all members to support our weekly lotto as this represents one of the main sources of revenue for the club. Play online via clubforce.

GOLF SOCIETY the Xmas Hampers were played on Saturday last on O’Mahonys Point sponsored by Patrick O’Sullivan and Tatler Jack. Results: 1st Niall Brosnan (24) 43pts, 2nd Johnny Courtney (18) 42pts, 3rd John Brosnan (5) 41pts, 4th Tomas O’Regan (12) 40pts, 5th Ian Cronin (6) 40pts, Cat. 1 Frank Shaw (5) 37pts, Denis Coleman (8) 37pts, Cat 2 David Looney (15) 39pts, Karl McMahon (16) 37pts, Cat 3 Greg O’Donoghue (20) 34pts, Ger Brosnan (25) 34pts, Front Nine John Lynch (8) 20pts, Back Nine Colm Galvin (19) 19pts. Congratulations to all prizewinners and to Harry O’Neill on winning Golfer of the Year.

CONGRATULATIONS to Cian McMahon and Kerry minor team on a wonderful victory over Cork and best of luck in final v Clare. Harry Byrne and Leo Randles were also members of panel.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS: The Chairman and Club Executive wish members, players, supporters a Happy Christmas and a Bright and Prosperous New Year.

Beaufort GAA HAPPY CHRISTMAS: Beaufort GAA Club wish all members, supporters and parishioners at home and abroad a happy Christmas. Thank you for all your support in 2020.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS: There is a variety of Beaufort GAA Club gear on sale including tops, jerseys, half zips, hats and bags. The 2021 Club calendar is also for sale for €10. To purchase gear and for enquiries, please contact Nora at 086 1556181 or Mary 086 9640065.

SHOPPING: If anybody need a helping hand this Christmas to collect shopping or with any other errands, please contact Mary Jo at 086 3779702.

WINNER: Killarney Celtic Youths Player of the Year Pádraic Looney is presented with the Jimmy Falvey Perpetual Cup by Jerry, Brendan, Marie and John Falvey.

IRELAND LIGHTS UP: Beaufort will be taking part in this initiative which will begin in early January. The walking track will be open for any member who wish to walk in late evening. Days and times will be known later this week.

Glenflesk CONDOLENCES: Our parish was shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden and untimely death of Mossie Gleeson, Crohane, Clonkeen on Friday last. We offer our deepest sympathies to his wife Liz and his daughters, Ciara, Sinead and Aoibhinn. Mossie was a passionate and proud supporter of his talented daughters who represent the parish in a wide range of activities from music and singing to football and athletics. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

GLENFLESK PARISH: Tickets for the seven masses to be celebrated on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day have now been allocated. Anyone without a ticket will be requested to stay outside the Churches during the masses and

AWARDS: Paul Sherry (Killarney Celtic chairman) presenting the Club Person of the Year Award to joint winners Tim Jones (vice chair and senior A assistant manager) and Brian Spillane (senior A manager and academy co-ordinator).

listen to the celebrations on the speakers outside. Holy communion will be brought to anyone outside. We hope to keep Churches open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and the succeeding days up to 9pm so that people can visit the crib and offer a prayer. Let's keep everyone safe and healthy. Take care.

George Hayes. Christmas Eve: 4pm Sacred Heart, Barraduff, 6pm St Agatha's Glenflesk, 9pm Our Lady of Wayside, Clonkeen. Christmas Day: 9.30am Sacred Heart, Barraduff, 11am Sacred Heart, Barraduff, 9.30am St Agatha's, Glenflesk, 11am Our Lady of Wayside, Clonkeen.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS: Wishing all our patrons and friends a very Happy Christmas and keep safe going into the new year. Let’s hope 2021 will be kinder to us all.

GLENFLESK LADIES: Glenflesk Ladies Club are seeking to form a Senior Ladies football team for the year ahead 2021.

Any ladies who are interested please forward your details to Glenflesk Ladies Secretary at glenflesk.kerry@lgfa.ie by the deadline of 03/01/2021. Also the outgoing Ladies Committee have been re-elected and will continue for the next 12 months. We wish to Thank Leonard for all his work this year as PRO, and wish him the best for the future.

BARRADUFF COMMUNITY FIELD ORGANISATION: Barraduff Community Field Organisation are giving you the chance to win a 3-bedroom 2-storey detached dwelling house in Barraduff, Killarney, Co. Kerry worth €270,000 for just €100. Limited number of tickets available at winadreamkerryhome.com.

Imagine, living the country life, being part of a vibrant local community with the ability to work from an office or a hot desk in Barraduff, with a relatively short commute to Cork or Limerick. It truly is the Dream Home. Plus, the house is not the only prize - there is a 2021 car and eight other prizes including a €1,000 hotel voucher, €1,000 cash, new furniture valued at €1,000, hotel vouchers

and spending money as well as other cash prizes and 1000l of home heating oil.

BARRADUFF TIDY VILLAGE GROUP: This year Barraduff Tidy Village Group have The Memory tree back in place outside the church in Barraduff. The hearts can be purchased in O Donoghue's Store Barraduff. The hearts cost €5. All monies raised will go directly to Barraduff Tidy Village Group and will go directly back into the community. Our Memory tree is dedicated to all the beautiful souls who are no longer with us but they are always in our hearts. Please remember me and place a heart on the memory tree. A special mass will take place for all people named on the memory tree and all the people who have passed away in 2020.

Thank you.

Killarney Golf & Fishing Club (Ladies) RESULTS: AIB Christmas Hampers Competition. Stableford 13 holes. Mahony’s Point. 1st Lorna O Leary PH 20 – 28pts (last 3 holes), 2nd & BG Mairead Martin PH +2 – 28pts, 3rd Lora Beth Molloy PH 20 - 27 pts (last 9 holes), 4th Noreen O’Callaghan PH10 – 27pts (last 9 holes), 5th Ann Stuart PH 12 – 27pts, 6th Amy Arthur PH 5 - 26pts (last 9 holes).

Gneeveguilla Athletic Club LOTTO: No winner of our lotto draw on December 18. Numbers drawn were 11, 14, 19 and 26. Sellers’ prizewinner Mairead Carmody. €50 Y/T Timmy O’ Connor the Forge, €50 to Michelle Dunlea Meenaskehy East, €40 each to Catherine Moynihan Annaskirtane, Mike Browne Fenit, and Noah, Ava and Cian c/o Mairead Carmody. Bonus not won.

Numbers drawn were 4, 12, 17 and 23.

Next week’s jackpot is €15,000 plus €1,000 bonus. Winner of our Christmas Hamper: Frank Brosnan, Tureenamult.

Next draw will be on Wednesday 23.

Wishing all our members, athletes, supporters and helpers a very happy and safe Christmas.

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23.12.2020

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