Stunning Palliative Care Garden Officially Opened

The new Palliative Care Garden at Kerry General Hospital in Tralee has been officially opened (Oct 18) by Margaret Ryle of Tralee Credit Union. The garden, designed by Paul Maher, Curator of the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin is a gift to the community by the Credit Union to mark the 40^th anniversary of its founding in Tralee. The garden was jointly blessed by chaplains Fr. Ned Barrett and Rev. Joe Hardy.

Margaret along with CU colleagues Kevin Geary and Richard O’Halloran co-ordinated the project.  Garden Designer, Paul Maher, originally from Railway Terrace, gave of his time on a voluntary basis. Each plant was meticulously selected and the various features arranged to provide a design of stunning beauty.  It was constructed by Costello Construction who were represented by Declan Costello at the opening. Horticulturist Seamus Kelly assisted by Mike Shea, carried out the landscaping works.  The Tree of Life Sculpture and dedication is by local sculptor Billy Leen.  The assistance of Tralee Town Council and officials Joe Carey and John Griffin was also acknowledged. 

Among those in attendance were the directors of Tralee Credit Union led by Chairperson Moira Lynch Horgan,  and Manager Fintan Ryan;   HSE Kerry executives Michael Fitzgerald and Michael Ahern,  Clinical Nursing Manager ,Mari O'Connell,  and garden designer Paul Maher and his family.

Michael Ahern, General Manager, Kerry Local Health Office said that “The new garden complements the recently constructed Day Centre and provides a valuable added external dimension to the day area where the users of the centre spend most of their time while visiting. I want to thank Tralee Credit Union for its generous gift to the Centre. I would also like to use the opportunity to congratulate the Credit Union in its many achievements to date and the invaluable service it currently provides to the people of Tralee and the wider area and over the past 40 years. I wish them well in their future endeavours on behalf of the community they serve’.

His comments were reiterated by Mari O’Connell, Clinical Nurse Manager who said that “the garden is a beautiful, tranquil and private place for our patients to use, adding to our philosophy of providing holistic care.  It adds a finer touch to The Suaimhneas Centre and Tralee Credit Union can be proud of their achievement; this garden area will be enjoyed by many people for years to come”.

The Suaimhneas Centre commenced activities in August 2007 and provides a wide range of services including, medical and nursing assessment and care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, complimentary therapy, yoga, art, hairdressing and beauty therapy. A plan of care is devised which is tailored to suit each individual’s needs.

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Garden Designer Paul Maher, Margaret Ryle of Tralee Credit Union, the driving force behind the project, and Horticulturist Seamus Kelly, overseeing the final stages of the garden in August 2008.

Click [here] for more pictures from Official Opening.