PHOTOS: Great Turnout For Official Relaunch Of Down Syndrome Kerry Shop

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Manager of the 321 Down Syndrome Kerry Shop, Rachel Fitzgerald with Rebecca O’Donoghue, Eileen Lawlor, Peppy Fitzgerald and Jackie McColl, with the Kerry Club and Munster Club Championship Cups won last year by Kerins O’Rahillys, at the opening of the Down Syndrome Kerry Shop on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

A SPECIAL Olympics hero was the guest of honour at the official relaunch of the new 321 Down Syndrome Kerry shop on Strand Street on Friday evening.

Ryan Griffin from Waterville, who won a silver medal at the Berlin games in June, was one of many visitors to the new shop, which has moved from its previous location next door on High Street as Manager of the shop Rachel Fitzgerald explained.

“The landlord who recently bought the buildings offered it to us instead of our previous location so that we could have everything on the ground floor, so we now have our books and clothes shop on the one floor,” said Rachel.

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“We are asking the public to come into us and support the project, see the adults with Down Syndrome who are working here and they’ll also pick up a bargain,” she added.

“We completely rely on donations from the public and everything in here comes from the local people and they have been very good in supporting us. We’re always looking for more donations like books, CDs, clothes, bric-a-brac, jigsaws, any items in good condition we’d like to have,” said Rachel.

Rachel wanted to thank the landlord Edward Dowling for his support in getting the project off the ground and John Morris who worked tirelessly to create and design the shop.

She also thanked CEO of Down Syndrome Ireland Barry Sheridan for travelling to Tralee for the relaunch and everyone who supported the project. Scroll down for photos…

Geraldine Tighe, Mary Dowling, Angela Ryan and Veronica O’Brien at the opening of the Down Syndrome Kerry Shop on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

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Down Syndrome Ireland CEO Barry Sheridan speaking to the guests at the opening of the Down Syndrome Kerry Shop on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Grace O’Donnell, Irene O’Donnell, Oisín and Hugh O’Donnell, Norma O’Donnell and Mike O’Donnell at the opening of the Down Syndrome Kerry Shop on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

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Special Olympics medal winner Ryan Griffin with Angela Griffin and Caroline Ryder at the opening of the Down Syndrome Kerry Shop on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Risteard Pierse, Joe Burkett, Debbie Dillon and Shirley Morris at the opening of the Down Syndrome Kerry Shop on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

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CEO of DSI Barry Sheridan, Asst Manager of Down Syndrome Kerry 321 shop Grace O’Donnell, President of DSI Gerard O’Carroll, Special Olympics medal winner Ryan Griffin, Manager of Down Syndrome Kerry 321 shop Rachel Fitzgerald and Mayor of Tralee Johnnie Wall at the opening of the Down Syndrome Kerry Shop on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Rachel Fitzgerald speaking to the guests at the opening of the Down Syndrome Kerry Shop on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

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