
The painstaking, meticulous restoration of this long-standing statue of the Sacred Heart, on the grounds of St Mary’s Parish Hall, was a gift to the people of Killarney from the late Jack McSharry, who was laid to rest today.
The congregation at his Requiem Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral was reminded of his great generosity and his wonderful sense of community by celebrant, Fr Kieran O’Brien, who shared the story of the statue from last summer.

He said Jack had approached him and asked for permission to the upgrade the landmark monument and the Killarney Parish Administrator was delighted with the offer.
“It was certainly in need of a makeover. It bothered Jack to see it the way it was and he wouldn’t be happy until the job was done,” Fr O’Brien said.
Jack enlisted the help of his lifelong friend, Denis (Denny) O’Connell and the statue and its plinth was repaired, power-washed, cleaned and carefully painted in its original colours until it looked as good as new.

“We thank him for doing so and as you pass that statue going forward, think of him and pray for him,” Fr O’Brien urged the congregation.
He said Jack, who died suddenly last Monday, at the age of 61, lived a gentle life and his faith meant a great deal to him.
“His great love and passion for reading included many spiritual books. He enjoyed his visits here to St Mary’s Cathedral to reflect in the quietness of the day,” Fr O’Brien said.
“We often saw him visit the grave of his parents, John and Theresa, and his nephew Leon, in Aghadoe Cemetery. It was a ritual he did a few times every week,” he added.
Jack also had an inspirational and thought-provoking prayer framed on the wall of his home encouraging people to always strive to do the right thing in life, especially when it would be easier to do the opposite.
It was a gift he received from his close friend Fr Donal O’Connor from Rathmore who who passed away, suddenly and at a young age, in 2023.
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