‘Check out our brilliant new centre’

IT was a massive weekend for the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) in Killarney, as the organisation officially opened its new part-time location in the town to coincide with its national ‘Breaking Boundaries’ conference in the INEC.

Dancing With the Stars Champion and former Kerry footballer Aidan O’Mahony was joined by Mayor of Killarney Brendan Cronin, IWA Chairman Michael Hickey, IWA CEO Rosemary Keogh, and Killarney Service Coordinator Terry O’Brien for the official opening, which attracted an excellent attendance of around 80 people.

The facility — located at The Reeks Gateway on the Tralee Road — includes a large multi-functional room, community meeting rooms, a dining area, outdoor space, and more, and will benefit approximately 45 IWA members from Killarney and its surrounds.

Open three days each week, Tuesday to Thursday, the centre will provide a range of programmes, and two buses will be on the road each week to allow people with physical disabilities to access the centre and events that it organises.

“I am very proud to open our new centre, which will work in conjunction with existing IWA services in Tralee and Listowel,” Councillor Terry O’Brien said on the day.

“The range of community support services based in The Reeks will ensure that people in the area with disabilities will receive high-quality services which directly enhance the quality of their lives and that of their family members.

“We welcome everyone to visit our new centre and utilise the amenities available,” Cllr O’Brien added.

IWA CEO Rosemary Keogh praised Killarney’s community spirit, citing the partnerships formed by local people; statutory and voluntary agencies; businesses; and organisations for paving the way to the creation of the facility.

The association’s national conference also took place in Killarney over the weekend, with more than 300 people from all over the country attending the INEC, including Dr Eddie Murphy from RTÉ’s Operation Transformation, and keynote speaker Paul McNeive.

Those gathered tackled a range of important issues, including access to public transport, funding for personal assistance services, and access to education and employment.

A group at the opening of the Irish Wheelchair Association’s new Community Centre at The Reeks Gateway, Killarney on Friday. Included are former Kerry footballer and Dancing with the Stars winner Aidan O’Mahony, IWA CEO Rosemary Keogh, IWA Service...

IWA CEO Rosemary Keogh and IWA Service Coordinator Terry O’Brien with Barry Moran, Builder, Padraig Brosnan, Quantity Surveyor and Noel Clarke, Project Manager, at the opening of the IWA’s new community centre at The Reeks, Killarney.