Blood Donation

What began as a ten-minute interview with Shane for the Clann newsletter—meant to celebrate his achievement of receiving recognition for donating 100 pints of blood—soon turned into a wonderful hour-long chat.

Shane is one of the best-known residents of Holy Cross Gardens in Killarney, having lived there for the past thirteen years. The interview was arranged for 3pm, and as anyone who knows Shane will tell you, he is not an early riser. Even our repair team know not to schedule a visit before 2pm!

At 3.05pm, Shane arrived at the office wearing his “Rally of the Lakes” hat and carrying a box under his arm. Shane walks at a pace that suggests the world is not to be rushed. The first order of business was, naturally, to make him a cup of tea. Then he opened the box he had brought with him. Inside lay a beautiful ornamental presentation piece from the Blood Transfusion Service, featuring the image of a pelican—long celebrated in legend for its selfless love and sacrifice. Its slightly dusty cover showing that it had clearly been kept in a safe place.

Shane began telling the story of how he came to live in Holy Cross Gardens over a decade ago. Before moving here, he had lived with four other people with Rehab Care. While he enjoyed his time there, getting his own place gave him the freedom to grow his many hobbies—including cobbling shoes for friends and family, and gardening. Shane is also a keen sportsman, having completed more than thirty Ring of Kerry Charity Cycles and previously competing as a weightlifter. While no longer competing, he still goes to the gym regularly.

After hearing all about Shane’s life and the famous people he’s met along the way—including Stephen Roche, winner of the 1987 Tour de France—we returned to the topic of his remarkable blood-donation record.

Shane first saw an advertisement in the local newspaper looking for donors. He isn’t sure exactly when this was, but since he donated every six months, he estimates it was around 50 years ago. Times have changed—gone are the days when donors were handed a glass of Guinness afterwards, now replaced with a cup of tea and a biscuit.

When asked if he was proud of his achievement, Shane brushed off the idea, saying only that it felt good to have helped so many people. Earlier this year, he attended an awards ceremony in Cork with his brother, where he received the presentation box he brought to our interview.

Shane has said he has “retired” from giving blood, but knowing him, we wouldn’t be surprised if he appears at a donation clinic again in 2026!

When the tea was finished and our “ten-minute” interview—nearly an hour long in the end—came to a close, Shane left the office in his typically modest way.

Reflecting on our conversation later that evening, I found myself wondering just how many lives Shane has touched without ever seeking recognition. We may never know, but it must be a great many. As the saying goes, not all heroes wear capes—and Shane certainly falls into that category.

To learn more about blood donation, visit www.giveblood.ie.