News
Killarney car enthusiasts committed to helping one of their own
Members of Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club have committed to supporting a fundraising event in Tralee for a fellow car enthusiast.
Members of the Tralee-based Kerry Motor Club are organising a static car show in Tralee town centre next month to raise funds for club member James Quinlan who faces a very difficult medical journey in New York.
James, from Waterville, suffered a major brain haemorrhage on December 19 and remains in the intensive care unit in a Manhattan Hospital.
His family estimates that it will cost more than €250,000, possibly as much as four times that figure, to get James the treatment he needs. A GoFundMe campaign over Christmas raised €80,000 but more funds are urgently needed.
His friends in the Kerry motorsport community are running a series of events over the coming weeks including the car show at the Brandon Car Park in Tralee on February 13.
James, a car mechanic, was a popular member of Kerry Motor Club before he moved to New York around 17 years ago. He could always be relied upon to volunteer for club events and ran his own rally cars on local rallies in the early 2000s.
“He bought his second rally car from me,” explained Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club PRO Tom Leslie. “That is why we have to support this event.”
Kerry Motor Club is asking anyone who owns interesting cars, rally cars, vintage and classic cars or motorcycles, to display their machines at the event in a few weeks’ time.
Members of the public will be invited to view the cars and entry to the event will be by donation to the James Quinlan Recovery Fund.
A series of raffles and spot prizes will also be on offer throughout the day – more side events are also planned to include a 5k walk from the Brandon Car Park along the canal, to Blennerville, and back.
The classic car show will run from around mid-day on February 13 and will take the format of a Cars’N’Coffee style event.
Owner of cars that wish to show off their pride and joy are asked to contact any member of the organising team (numbers listed below) or via a dedicated email: jamesquinlanfund@gmail.com
Kerry Motor Club’s John Liston is a close friend of the Quinlan family.
“We are inviting anyone in Kerry or beyond who owns an interesting car to bring it along on the day, we have secured permission from Tralee Municipal Council to use the car park,” he said. “James faces a long journey, from his current situation to full recovery and we are asking every car enthusiast to come and support us on the day because James would always be the first to support or lend a hand to these kinds of events.”
Committee members are: John Liston: 087 689 8530; Richard Talbot: 087 268 0732; Senan Raggett: 087 259 9657; Ger O’Brien: 087 274 8936; Sean Moriarty: 087 677 1019. Or via email: jamesquinlanfund@gmail.com
Donations to the GoFundMe campaign can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-james-quinlans-journey-to-recovery
Taoiseach makes historic first visit to Beaufort schools
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin made a historic visit to St Francis Special School and St Mary’s of the Angels on Wednesday afternoon, marking the first time a serving Taoiseach has visited either Beaufort facility.
The visit followed a recent Dáil invitation extended by Kerry Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill, who accompanied the Taoiseach alongside local Councillor Tommy Cahill. During the tour, the Taoiseach met with management, staff, residents, and families to observe the services firsthand and discuss operational challenges.
Both Michael and Tommy Cahill welcomed the visit, emphasizing the campus’s potential to become a super respite centre of excellence for children and adults with profound disabilities.
“This was a truly historic occasion,” Deputy Cahill said. “The Taoiseach had the opportunity to see the excellent facilities on the campus first-hand and, importantly, to hear directly about the challenges and concerns they face. There is huge potential here to further develop respite and enhanced services.”
Councillor Tommy Cahill added that the visit was a significant day for service users and staff. He confirmed ongoing engagement with government departments, St John of God, the HSE, and local stakeholders to ensure the site’s full potential is realised.
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