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Three Killarney men take on 2,500km cycle challenge

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WILD WAYS: Brothers Donnacha Cassidy (foreground) and Benny Cassidy pictured leaving home in The Park on Wednesday for the epic challenge.

 

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By Sean Moriarty

 

Three Killarney men set off from Derry on Thursday in an attempt to cycle the entire Wild Atlantic Way.

The famed 2,500km driving route passes through nine counties and three provinces, stretching from county Donegal's Inishowen Peninsula in Ulster to Kinsale, County Cork, in Munster.

Brothers Benny and Donnacha Cassidy from The Park, and Tom Daly who is secretary of Killarney Cycling Club, have set a target of between 300 and 500kms of cycling a day and hope to arrive in the County Cork tourist town within six days. Their daily target will depend on weather and other prevailing conditions.

Benny is no stranger to ultra-cycling events and only last weekend finished fourth on the Cycling Ireland sanctioned Donegal Atlantic Way Ultra Cycle. He completed that event in 19.5 hours and only stopped for a total of 20 minutes.

Last weekend’s route started and finished in Letterkenny and covered the Inishowen Peninsula as well as the entire coastline of County Donegal.

[caption id="attachment_33667" align="alignleft" width="258"] HILLS OF DONEGAL: Benny Cassidy passes through Mamore Gap on last weekend's Donegal Atlantic Way Ultra Cycle with his father Brendan driving their support vehicle.[/caption]

His brother Donnacha, and Tom, revisited most of last weekend’s route on Friday before heading south from Donegal town.

The brother’s father Brendan acted as support vehicle driver last weekend but this week they are on their own.

“Cycling Ireland events require a support vehicle, especially for the night sections,” Brendan told the Killarney Advertiser. “I know how hard it was as I had to drive for those 19 hours. This week’s event is about personal challenges rather than a competition.”

The trio hope to arrive in Kinsale by Tuesday. Their finish estimate is based on Benny’s previous solo attempt in 2018 when he took six days to complete the challenge.

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Soroptimist make €3k donation to Rockmount Care Centre

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Members of the Killarney Soroptimist Society visited the Rockmount Care Centre on Wednesday, to present a cheque for €3000 to Nurse Manager Mary Hussey.


The significant sum was raised during the society’s successful annual pancake morning held on Shrove Tuesday at the Killarney Avenue Hotel.
Rockmount Care Centre provides essential support as a dedicated day care facility for individuals living with Dementia and Alzheimer’s, serving many clients and families from the Killarney area.
These funds arrive at a vital time, as they are earmarked for the centre’s new sensory garden project, which is currently in the design phase.
Pictured at the presentation are Soroptimists members handing over the proceeds to Mary Hussey. The society extended their thanks to the Killarney Avenue Hotel and all those who supported the fundraiser to help make this donation possible.

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Public realm works begin on Main Street and Kenmare Place

Repair works for the Killarney Public Realm project officially commenced on Monday, April 20, following approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This phase of the project, […]

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Repair works for the Killarney Public Realm project officially commenced on Monday, April 20, following approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

This phase of the project, funded by the URDF, focuses on enhancing the streetscape and accessibility of both Main Street and Kenmare Place.
To allow the appointed contractors to carry out the investment safely, a section of the R-878 on Main Street, stretching from Kenmare Place to Plunkett Street, is now closed to traffic. This first period of construction is scheduled to run from April 20 until July 3.
Recognising the importance of the tourism season, the council has confirmed the street will fully reopen from July 4 to October 4 to accommodate peak summer traffic. Following this break, works will resume for a second period starting October 5 and running until December 4.
While vehicle diversions are in place, pedestrian access to all businesses and emergency service access will be maintained throughout the construction phases. Kerry County Council stated that these works are part of a wider programme to improve the safety and quality of the town centre and has thanked the public and local business owners for their cooperation during these essential improvements.

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