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Mammoth multiple climbs in memory of Tom Griffin

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MEMORIAL CLIMB: Laura Griffin, her boyfriend Luke Stuart-Mills, and Denise Buckley, pictured with family and friends, climbed five mountains in five days in memory of Tom Griffin.

By Michelle Crean

It's the challenge of a lifetime - climbing almost 12,000 feet up five mountains in five days for charity - and it's all in memory of local man Tom Griffin who died at the young age of just 52 years.

Tom's daughter Laura Griffin, her boyfriend Luke Stuart-Mills, and aunt Denise Buckley decided to take on the mammoth challenge 'Following Tom': Memorial Charity Fundraiser as a tribute to him as he was an avid outdoors-man, who loved to walk, hike, swim, and generally adventure in his time off. Sadly Tom died after having a haemorrhage while kite-surfing on his holidays in Portugal in June last year.

On Monday Laura and crew began their first climb up Mangerton Mountain, one of her dad's favourite mountains, followed by Torc on Tuesday. On Wednesday they planned to climb Tomies, but due to difficulties accessing it, they instead climbed just over the equivalent height on Purple Mountain. Yesterday (Thursday) they set up once again and completed Strickeen, and will today (Friday) finish off the whole adventure by completing a climb up Carrauntoohil.

"It's been absolutely fantastic and we've been blessed with the weather," Laura told the Killarney Advertiser yesterday.

"We're trying to commemorate and honour dad's life and picked the mountains he enjoyed doing. Dad was 6ft 2" and had a long stride we had to chase him up the mountain which is why it's called 'Following Tom'. It's one of those things, it's sad but through the sadness we wanted a way to honour him and remember the good times."

Tom was well known in Killarney but relocated to Kildare as he was working as a Senior Manager at Intel.

His wife Michelle is also from Killarney.

Laura has so far raised over €12,000 through a GoFundMe page for Killarney Water Rescue, Kerry Mountain Rescue Team and the Kenya Education Project.

However, she added that there is a glitch which says the funding is at over €15k due to an error when someone donated and the page hasn't yet been updated.

She added a huge thanks to everyone who has donated so far.
"There has been amazing support by everyone, the response has been lovely."

To donate, go to GoFundMe: 'Following Tom': Memorial Charity Fundraiser

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All eyes down as St Oliver’s hosts bumper bingo fundraiser

It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night. The event, which is being held […]

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It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night.

The event, which is being held to raise additional funds for the school’s Special Classes, will take place in the Killarney Racecourse in the Celtic Steps venue.

According to Colm Ó Súilleabháin, Principal of St Oliver’s, the idea for the fundraiser was the brainchild of Denise Hendey, a parent of one of the children in the Special Classes who approached the school wanting to assist with raising much-needed funds for the classes. “She has been utterly amazing with the amount of work and organisation she has put into this event, sourcing an incredible number of fantastic prizes for the raffle and spot prizes for the bingo winners” he said.
Continuing he said “We are so appreciative of the incredible support we have received from all the businesses who have sponsored some amazing prizes and made very generous donations in support of the event.”

St. Oliver’s has eight separate Special Classes, home to 62 children. All monies raised on the night will go towards purchasing additional resources for the classes.

The event will commence at 7pm with doors opening at 6pm. So be sure to come along to what is promised to be a fun-filled night with numerous opportunities to win some amazing prizes and hopefully if there is a ‘knock on the door’ or a ‘bang on the drum’ it will be on your bingo card!

Bingo books (€10) and raffle tickets (€5) are available to buy from the school office and will be available on the night. All welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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Milltown plan to preserve history in community project 

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The Milltown History and Heritage Society has announced plans for an oral history archive for the community.

It is hoped that the collection and preservation of stories and folklore will be a valuable resource for future generations.

Oral history expert and historian Dr Tomás Mac Conmara will speak in Milltown in support of the launch.

Dr Mac Conmara, who is an award-winning oral historian, lecturer and author, will speak at the Muintir na Tíre Hall in Milltown at 8pm on Friday, October 24 and will introduce the fundamentals for the collection of oral history.

The presentation is free of charge and is supported by funding from the Creative Communities Grant Scheme 2025.

Attendees will be introduced to the practical skills required in interviewing, recording and documenting local heritage.

Stewart Stephans of the Milltown History and Heritage Society said they are excited to have Tomás to set them on the right path towards the development of the archive.

He said: “The collection and retention of oral history needs to be approached properly, drawing on the right advice and maintaining high standards, so we are pleased to be getting the input of such a renowned expert.” The event is open to anyone who would like to attend.

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