A local community-based organisation in Rathmore is celebrating a huge milestone later this month as it celebrates 50 years of service to the people of East Kerry.

The Social Action Group Rathmore (SAG) was founded in 1975 and is now a cornerstone of the local community.

Its primary mission is centred on the care and welfare of older people.

The community group will celebrate its 50th anniversary at Killarney Racecourse on October 25, followed by a commemorative mass in St. Joseph’s Church, Rathmore on October 26 at 11.30am.

The celebrations will continue throughout the year with the launch of a book which will document the foundation and achievements of the group.

It began as a student led initiative in a history class at St Mary’s Secondary School under the guidance of former principal Jerh O’Donoghue.

Over the decades, the SAG has developed 35 homes for older adults, established St Josephs Day Care Centre and created facilities for young people in Rathmore.

Noreen Fleming is the CEO of the SAG, and she said the group delivers a range of essential services.

She explained: “These services include meals-on-wheels, laundry services, and transport to St Joseph’s Day Care Centre, where older people enjoy meals, nursing care, social activities, and companionship five days a week. Some people live in isolated areas, and this service ensures they remain part of a thriving community in Rathmore.”

Donal O’Keeffe, chairperson, said that the celebrations will be an opportunity to honour the dedication of so many people over the last 50 years.

Tickets for the 50th Anniversary Celebration Night at Killarney Racecourse on October 25 are priced at €15 and are available from Teach Iosagáin or St Joseph’s Day Care Centre. For enquiries, please call 064 77 61000.

A new Halloween festival is coming to Kerry this year with events being planned in Killarney, Tralee and Listowel to celebrate the spooky season.

Samhain Chiarraí will run from October 16 to November 9, and it aims to celebrate the county’s ancient traditions and cultural spirit.

Kerry was selected as one of the destinations for Fáilte Ireland’s ‘Home of Halloween’ pilot scheme.

The initiative forms part of the national strategy to establish Ireland as the home of Halloween.
Samhain Chiarraí is a celebration, rooted in Ireland’s authentic Samhain heritage drawing inspiration from the Cailleach, the wise and wild Goddess of Winter who emerges each year to mark the end of the harvest and the turning of the Celtic year.

Three new Samhain experiences will take place in Killarney, Tralee, and Listowel, and these family events will tell the story of the Cailleach Chiarrai.

It will take the form of Street Processions, Awakening Spectacles, Fireworks, Céilis, Willow Workshops and Treasure Hunts.

Samhain Chiarraí intends to transform towns and villages into immersive landscapes of fire, light, and story, connecting visitors and locals with Kerry’s dúchas, its heritage, belonging, and sense of place through a variety of workshops, street spectacles, light projections and rituals.

Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Mike Foley explained that Samhain Chiarraí is about much more than celebrating our past, it’s about bringing families, schools, and communities together to create new memories and experiences.

He said: “From spectacular parades to community gatherings, Samhain Chiarraí will highlight the county’s rich traditions while introducing new and engaging experiences for both residents and visitors. This festival is a chance for Kerry to come together, celebrate our shared heritage, and showcase the warmth and creativity of our communities.”