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Killarney runner completes Wild Atlantic way challenge

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Killarney runner completes Wild Atlantic way challenge

Killarney endurance runner Seanie Clifford has completed one of the toughest tests ever attempted on Irish soil by running the entire 2,700km length of the Wild Atlantic Way.

Clifford is an ultra-runner, mountain guide and retreat organiser based in Killarney. Through retreats in Ireland and France he combines hiking, running, yoga and healthy food. “The most rewarding feeling is when people leave having stepped outside their comfort zone,” he says.

His Wild Atlantic Way run covered the equivalent of more than 64 marathons back-to-back, cementing his place among Ireland’s top endurance athletes while highlighting the importance of mental health, community and resilience.

Donegal start 

He began in Muff, Co. Donegal, on August 7 and arrived in Kinsale, Co. Cork, 30 days later, beating his own self-imposed deadline by hours.
The route included more than 27,000 metres of climbing and an average of 90–100 kilometres per day. Clifford’s final time was 29 days, 15 hours and 5 minutes.
Clifford, known locally as “Seanie Runner”, undertook the challenge to raise awareness of mental health and the benefits of outdoor activity.

Despite meticulous planning, Clifford hit his lowest point in Kerry on day 21 near Cahersiveen. Severe sickness left him barely able to move. His partner Alicia said: “Any normal person would have stopped. But Sean kept going, covering 70km days in that condition.”

Local support proved vital. Members of the Kerry Way Ultra community gave him food, rest and encouragement. In Waterville, a festival organiser offered shelter on one of his darkest nights. These small gestures kept the challenge alive.

Kinsale finish 

Recovery brought new tests. Crossing the Conor Pass and into Slea Head, Clifford faced storm-force winds. Fellow runners Ailis Brosnan and Niall Foley joined him for parts of the route. Brosnan called it “a quiet kind of legendary”. Foley, who is filming a documentary of the challenge, described Clifford as “a man possessed”.

By the end of the Kerry stages, Clifford had turned his suffering into momentum, showing how local roads can both break and build endurance athletes.
Clifford crossed the Kinsale finish line with just hours to spare before his 30-day deadline. He had promised to return to Kerry to help at the Kerry Way Ultra race – and two days later he was back, volunteering at the event.

Like polar explorer Tom Crean, Clifford showed that greatness can come from ordinary people prepared to go beyond their limits. “People think it’s about running,” he said. “But really, it’s about people. Kerry showed me that. I was broken here, but I was carried home too.”

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Get your scrap together

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Following the success of the first ever Killarney Lions Club scrap metal collection in 2025, the Club will again run the event this year in partnership with KWD Recycling on March 28, at Killarney Racecourse.

Similar to 2025, money raised through recycling the metal will go towards improving facilities for families attending the children’s cancer unit in Cork University Hospital, as part of an overall fundraising drive being coordinated by Lions Clubs all over Munster.

The Club is asking people to bring non-ferrous scrap metals such as aluminium, copper, brass, zinc and stainless steel (no white goods such as fridges/cookers washing machines). Volunteers will be on hand from 9am until 4pm to take donations of scrap and work with KWD Recycling to remove it for processing.

“Although Lions Clubs in Munster have already raised some funds for CUH, more is still needed, so we’re delighted that KWD Recycling is working with us again to support this very worthwhile cause”, said Jason Higgins, President of Killarney Lions Club. “We’re asking anyone who has scrap metal at home, at work or on the farm now or in the next few weeks to please bring it to the Racecourse on the day because everything we collect will make a difference.”

Tadhg Healy, Sales Manager at KWD Recycling added that “We will recycle any high quality scrap metal that we collect – it can be quite valuable and of course it’s better for the environment if it’s recycled instead of being dumped. On top of that, the main thing with this collection is to help families of children with cancer, so hopefully we’ll get a good response from everyone and raise as much money as possible through this event”.

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Rathmore Ravens take the spotlight on Friday night

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Excitement is building in Rathmore as the local basketball club prepares for a spectacular night of song, dance and entertainment next Friday, March 13.

Rathmore Ravens Basketball Club is organising a lip-sync event, Lights, Lyrics, Layups, which promises to be an uplifting, vibrant night of singing and dancing, sure to get everyone on their feet.

The event is taking place at the Heights Hotel, with doors opening at 6.30pm and the show starting at 7.30pm.

Eleven acts, comprising 114 club members, will take to the stage on the night under the expert choreography of Joe Burkett.

Children will present the acts, while ushers will accompany performers on and off the stage.

Audience members will also have the chance to vote for their favourite performance, and the best homemade poster will be chosen on the night.

Founded in 2009, Rathmore Ravens Basketball Club has gone from strength to strength each year.

It has been a milestone year for the club, with their largest ever number of juvenile and senior players competing at county and Basketball Ireland Academy level, and their first ever u20 men’s team in the National League.

The fundraising event is being supported by many sponsors in Rathmore and beyond, and the club has expressed gratitude for the support it has received.

The basketball club has a very strong social media presence, and all act reveals are being posted on their Facebook page. Rathmore Ravens is promising a fun, feel-good Friday night full of glamour and sparkle.

If you’re looing for a good night out next weekend, look no further than Lights, Lyrics, Layups.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased by phoning Orla on 086 374 7780 or Fiona on 087 910 9257.k

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