Irish American boy makes wish and sees dream come true

A DREAM came true for an inspiring five-year-old Irish American boy when he met his family and friends in Killarney yesterday.

Killian Buckley was born 16 weeks premature, is on oxygen 24 hours a day and was only given clearance to fly earlier this year as air pockets in his lung had prevented him from flying.

However, along with his six-year-old sister Danielle and parents Pat Buckley and Anne Myers, who hail from the Aghadoe area of Killarney, he flew into Shannon on Saturday.

More than $30,000 was raised by the Make a Wish Foundation, in Hudson Valley, New York, to ensure Killian’s dream of travelling to Killarney for the first time to meet his grandparents and relatives was fulfilled.

Described by Anne as a very independent little boy, he was the centre of attention at a family party in the Castlerosse Hotel, Killarney, yesterday. “He’s exceptionally mature about his condition and medical requirements. He’s very placid and is really good at the moment, thank God,” she said.

Pat and Anne emigrated to New York, in February 2000, to get specialist care for Danielle, who was born 11 weeks premature.

However, Killian was also born premature (16 weeks) and weighed just 1lb 13 ozs. He was on a ventilator for 16 weeks and had his first surgery after five weeks. He has had up to 30 operations since then.

In New York, Pat and Anne can avail of medical facilities for their children which are not available in Ireland.