Offaly mourns adopted son who has been part of local community for 40 years
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PROFOUND sadness was felt by all on Thursday morning last when news filtered through of the sad passing of one of Ballinamere’s adopted sons, Johnny Drea.
Born and reared in Kilkenny, Johnny proudly displayed his black and amber flag at his house gate adjacent to Ballinamere GAA field for ‘a lot’ of summers and always loved the bit of banter when Offaly played Kilkenny.
Johnny has been part and parcel of Ballinamere Club and community for over forty years. He is an Honorary member of Ballinamere GAA Club, and has always been a loyal supporter.
Over 50 nominations were received by Radio Kerry for the awards.
The winners will be presented with a specially created handcrafted vase sponsored by Louis Mulcahy Pottery in Ballyferriter.
Kerry COVID-19 Community Response Forum – The Kerry Community Response Team has been recognised for co-ordinating the response to the pandemic in the county.
The multi-agency group set up a dedicated helpline, gave service and support updates and organised food deliveries to the vulnerable during lockdowns.
Skellig Family Fáilte Group wins an award for its work to welcome 125 asylum seekers who were moved to Caherciveen in March; the group also brought the residents supplies when some developed COVID-19.
Facing up to loneliness in Kells
Updated / Friday, 18 Dec 2020
10:22
Prime Time Reporter
The generation gap has never been more acute than 2020, as large swathes of our older people were locked away behind the unflattering cocooning label.
However a school project undertaken by a group of Meath schoolgirls prior to the pandemic proved invaluable to older people when Covid-19 hit.
Last year, RTÉ s Prime Time filmed students from Eureka Secondary School in Kells collaborating with a group of elderly locals on an innovative project.
The transition year students developed an eight-week programme with senior citizens to help combat loneliness and social isolation.