Crib creator honoured for years of artistic endeavour

Rena Kennelly with Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne and Killarney Parish Administrator, Fr Kieran O’Brien, at the traditional blessing of the crib in St Mary’s Cathedral in 2018. Also included are Rena’s grandchildren, Ailbhe, Justine and Catherine with Adam Twomey, Elizabeth Brosnan, Luke Benner, Gemma Carroll, Harry Hogget, James Whelan, Liadh Counihan and Sophie Hussey,
Pictures Valerie O’Sullivan i

A KILLARNEY woman who has helped make Christmas a magical occasion for generations of families has been honoured for doing so.

Rena Kennelly has designed and created a spectacular crib in St Mary’s Cathedral for the past 46 years and her incredible work of art has become a seasonal tourist attraction in its own right with people travelling long journeys just to see it.

Rena Kennelly met with former Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the launch of a Creative Ireland programme

Artistic Rena Kennelly is responsible for creating the life-sized crib, located to the side of the main altar, every year and she clearly has that special touch required and a remarkable eye for detail.

She has been involved in the annual crib project since the cathedral was refurbished in the 1970s and it now comes complete with life-sizes figures, a striking stable, animals, fir trees and moss as well as a very realistic life-like pool which Rena managed to source from a film studio in Dublin.

The crib attracts thousands of visitors during the Christmas season and they all marvel at the great effort put in for what is acknowledged as one of the finest cribs of its kind in the country.

Rena’s late husband, Colm Kennelly, was Kerry County Engineer for many years and her daughter, Kate, is currently Kerry County Council’s Arts Officer.

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