Bernard Collins, chairman North and East Kerry Development (centre) is flanked by brother and sister, Mossie O’Leary, Lyreacrompane and Kathleen O’Connor, Castleisland at the launch of the East Kerry Roots Festival at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland. ©Photograph: John Reidy 21-8-2012

Ellen Barry-Lynch, Castleisland and Bernard Collins, Ballymacelligott pictured during their stint with Kerry County Council in Castleisland. ©Photograph: John Reidy 25/10/2007

Special guest, Sinéad O’Connor pictured at the North and East Kerry Dvelopment hosted launch of the Community of Excellence in Mental Health Awareness and Wellbeing at Listowel Family Resource Centre on Saturday. Included are: Bernard Collins, NEKD chairman (seated) with: Lorraine Bowler, Bridie Mulvihill, Robert Carey manager, NEKD, Listowel; Dee Keogh and Dan O’Connor, development manager, Kerry Mental Health Association. ©Photograph: John Reidy 13-10-2012

In the thick of the action: The late Bernard Collins (back second from left) with Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Alan Kelly, TD pictured with colleague, Arthur Spring, TD and members of the Kerry Community Transport Board at a meeting at the Heritage Centre in Scartaglin on Thursday. Included are seated: Christy Murphy, John Joe O’Brien, Minister Kelly, Jack Roche and Jacqui Browne. Back from left: Alan O’Connell, operations manager; Bernard Collins, Hilary Scanlan, Stuart Stevens, Carmel Walsh, general manager; George Kelly, Deputy Spring, John Kelly and Brendan O’Connor. ©Photograph: John Reidy 26-1-2012

The late Bernard Collins (seated centre) pictured with his wife Marian at his 60th birthday celebration breakfast at The Country Market in July with Barth Hickey and back from left: Sheila Hannon, Ellen Barry-Lynch, Michael Healy Rae, TD; Mary Horan and Ann Marie O’Connor. ©Photograph John Reidy 3-07-2015

Friends and supporters of the Healy Rae political machine pictured at a special breakfast sitting at Pat’s Cafe, Killarney Road, Castleisland on Christmas Eve 2014. Included are front: Dan Cremins, Bernard and Marian Collins and Noreen Brosnan. Back row: Patrick and Lynn Collins, Pat’s Cafe; Micheal Healy Rae, TD; Ellen Barry-Lynch, Danny Healy Rae, MCC; Mary Horan, Aisling Collins and Sharon Lynch. ©Photograph: John Reidy 24-12-2014

The death has occurred of Bernard Collins, Carrignafeela, Rathanny, Tralee.

Deeply regretted by his loving family – his wife Marian, his daughter Aisling, brothers Donal and George, sister Doris, sisters-in-law Josie and Olivia, brother-in-law John, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, relatives, workmates, neighbours and many friends.

Reposing at Mc Elligott’s Funeral Home, Tralee, on Wednesday evening from 5.30pm to 8.00pm, followed by removal at 8.00pm to St. Brendan’s Church, Clogher.

Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday at 11.00am, followed by burial in Clogher Cemetery. May He Rest in Peace.

Donations, if desired, to The Pallative Care Unit, Kerry, General Hospital.

Date Published: Monday 5th October 2015 Date of Death: Monday 5th October 2015

Bernard’s Strength Shone Through in Facebook Post

In November of last year, Bernard’s close friend, Michael Healy Rae, TD alerted me to this powerful Facebook post by our mutual friend, Bernard Collins. I sought and was granted Bernard’s permission to print it here at the time and I repeat it now as a tribute to the spirit of the man and the way he carried his illness.

Bernard, (60) was chairperson of North, East and West Kerry Development up to the time of his passing. He was a vocal opponent of Minister Phil Hogan’s reform plans to scrap rural development groups.

He would quickly tell you on an enquiry on his health that he was living with cancer and his post of nearly a year ago shone a light on the shining lights of the battles he was going through. His fighting spirit and positivity is an example to all.

His sense of generosity and expression of gratitude to those tasked with caring for him and the new friends he sat beside,  shows the depth of that spirit.

The following is Bernard’s post and his ‘Angels’ are the staff members of the Kerry Hospice Foundation. May God be good to him.

“A few months ago If you asked me about Hospice and Palliative care I simply would have said they do great work in caring for people, and left it at that. It’s amazing what one learns and sees when the one becomes a user of these services. I am sitting beside my new friends in a palliative care unit and we are all living with cancer and other diseases.

The kindness and gentleness shown to me and everyone each day I am here for treatment and pampering from the nurses, carers and doctors is indescribable. These are not random acts.  This is kindness, gentleness and caring personified. They have taken that dreadful pain away from all and made us feel comfortable and loved by strangers. They have a wonderful way of making one feel that no one else matters and that you are so important.

If someone asks me do I believe in angels I would have to say yes, but they are human, these people wear wings on their hearts every day of their lives. I would like to say thank you to all of them, you have restored my faith in humanity.” – Bernard Collins 24-11-2014

To find out more about the work of the Kerry Hospice Foundation you can log on here to: http://www.kerryhospice.com/