At your service for 45 years and counting...

Martina O'Leary's lifetime at the Great Southern

The Great Southern Hotel, steeped in history since it opened its doors in 1854, recently featured on Nationwide and celebrates 170 years of welcoming guests from all over the world next year, Where else would I be only visiting Martina O'Leary, who holds an impressive 45 years of service at one of Killarney's most prestigious hotels.

Let's start from the very beginning.....

"I began my post at the GSH in March 1978. It was rare to be a new staff member as the current staff returned annually. I'm originally from Cordal, Castleisland and while our accommodation was provided in the Garden Cottage, I would thumb home on my days off to help out with the hay and the turf. I saved and bought myself a new Peugeot racer bike so when the Ring of Kerry started, I needed no training" Martina laughed.

So have you been painting and decorating in the off-season for the past 45 years Martina?

"Some of the best days of my career at the GSH were the many connections we made with hotels around the world where we were referred to work during the off-season. I could write a book on the craic that was had," Martina smiled. "Myself and Kathleen Bhuiyan were joined at the hip. We still are. We worked at the Hilton in Rotterdam, the same year Johnny Logan won his first Eurovision in 1980. The following year we went to Frankfurt, Germany to the Intercontinental Hotel, but were lucky to have 3 weeks off where we went inter-railing around Germany. We went to see so many concerts but the best was Queen and the Dubliners and it was there that Kathleen met her husband, Masum (RIP) who was a pilot who came from Bangladesh. One day we decided to travel to Bangladesh via Calcutta & Shrilanka. On arrival in Calcutta, we were lost completely. Two Irish girls, who stuck out like sore thumbs, and Kathleen with her long legs in short pants! We didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Such a poor country and no English but we were kindly guided to the bus which accommodated lots of furry friends, including hens, goats and cattle. We decided to ring the Intercontinental in Germany and they kindly accommodated us in one of their hotels free of charge before reconnecting flights, where Masum had a driver arranged for us at the other end.

The Cayman Islands at the Hyatt Hotel was another of my favourite spots to work in. Where else could you do your job barefoot complete with a swimsuit and sarong? I couldn't drive but learned fast as the golf caddy was my friend in getting from A to B. I'll always remember Mary Mac saying 'Martina it has forward and reverse, what's not to understand'?"

Martina recalled with laughter. "While we were there, I was delighted to take a day trip to Jamaica where I managed a visit Bob Marley's grave!"

Do you care to share any equally entertaining stories of your years at the Great Southern Killarney Martina?

"Amongst ourselves, we have the best camaraderie and craic in the areas that are off limits to guests but I have to say,

Marie, I take great pride in my work and I would do anything for the guests" Martina replied. I could see that as Martina had huge attention to detail in setting up for 'afternoon tea' in the reading room while we chatted. "There was a lady in this week who hadn't visited for 10 years. I asked her how the twins were and she nearly died of shock"!

"A wealthy French lady stayed with us regularly and her driver was also her pilot. He took myself and Marie Murphy for a helicopter ride all around the ring of Kerry and Dingle. It was absolutely unbelievable. The next day was his day off and he asked us to go to Paris for the day. I suppose it was because we squealed that we had the misfortune of the supervisor overhearing the commotion and insisted it was too far as we had to be back to serve dinner. Ah, such great times. Imagine, a day trip to Paris!!".

Martina, you have a fantastic way with people and you never stop smiling. What is your secret?

It's easy to smile when you're happy in your life Marie. I never intended on staying at the GSH, I just never wanted to leave it and I'll be here for another while yet. It's what you make it and I have fantastic memories. As John Fitz says, 'there's the right way and there's the wrong way but there's also Martina's way' so I must be doing something right!!" Martina joked

"I met my husband Jerry O'Leary, Meentogues in 1992 and it was 'all over'" Martina laughed. "I love the busyness of the GSH but I equally enjoy going home to my family (Jerry, Daniel, Katelyn & Marilyn) and the peace of sitting out the back of the house looking out at the view and the cattle in the field. "

My sources on the 'inside' were 100% correct about Martina. I kind of knew that as I'd worked alongside her as a receptionist at the GSH for 3 years. She was adored by everyone associated with the Great Southerns - Young and old she cares about everyone in her own unique 'Martina' way'.

Congratulations Martina on 45 years of service at Killarney's own gem, The Great Southern Hotel, which is filled with many diamonds

Prom Queen: The Movement (in Concert) is a show inspired by a youth-led musical group based in Killarney, coming to four different theatres across Ireland.

It was written and co-directed by Killarney student, Sinéad Greene (15) and produced and co-directed by Rachel Griffin (18).

“Our movement aims to raise awareness around the various societal challenges faced by teenagers in a modern age society. We want to use our voices to create impact and start a movement into a better and brighter future for us young people. The themes of the show include issues such as bullying, domestic abuse and LGBTQ+ representation,” said Sinead Greene.

“The show hopes to shine light on these topics and spark conversations about the many different stories portrayed in this production. There is a witty approach to the daunting questions of modern society, with a catchy soundtrack which has many great and recognisable hits.”

The cast and crew include pupils from Killarney, as well as pupils from neigh-