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Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone present €20,500 to national association

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Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone present €20,500 to national association

Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone recently presented a cheque for €20,500 to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) at the Plaza Hotel.

The funds represent the total raised over the past 12 months through various local initiatives. These included contributions from the Tralee Lions Club, Ballybunion Lady Captain’s Day, the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, a Killarney darts competition, the annual Killarney Flag Day collection, and numerous individual donations.
Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone Chairman, Christy Lehane, welcomed the IMNDA delegation, which included CEO Kevin Burn, Head of Communications Fiona Thornton, Community and Operations Manager Tracy Hutchin, and Hub Project Worker Manika Nia Dixon.
During the meeting, the IMNDA representatives outlined the operational challenges they face. The association requires €2.75 million annually to provide services across the 26 counties, with 90% of that budget now dependent entirely on public fundraising.
CEO Kevin Burn stated that fundraising contributions are a lifeline for the community, directly funding specialised equipment and home care hours. The association currently employs seven nurses who travel nationwide to support sufferers and their families. There are currently more than 470 people living with MND in Ireland, including 20 individuals in County Kerry.
Fiona Thornton, Head of Communications at the IMNDA, expressed gratitude to the Kerry group for their ongoing commitment, noting that the funds directly support essential services, including specialist nursing care, equipment provision, and emotional support for families.
Christy Lehane thanked the Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone committee and the general public for their continued support since the group was formed in 2011, noting the increasing difficulty of fundraising in a highly competitive environment. He described the fact that 90% of the national service's budget relies on charity as a challenging and unacceptable situation that has yet to be properly addressed by state authorities.

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Stefan Caulfield-Dreier signs professional cycling contract

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Former Killarney Cycling Club rider Stefan Caulfield-Dreier has secured a professional contract with leading Dutch-based outfit Azerion-Villa Valkenburg.


The 23-year-old Beaufort native began his cycling career with Killarney Cycling Club in the under-12 age category. He demonstrated strong potential during his youth career, culminating in a victory at the Under-16 National Time-Trial Championship in 2019.
After progressing through the junior ranks, Caulfield-Dreier began racing on the Continent with a Dutch squad upon entering senior competition. He claimed Senior National Track titles in both the Points and Madison events in 2023 and 2024, and went on to represent Ireland at international track events in the Netherlands and Switzerland across 2024 and 2025.
Announcing the signing, team management at Azerion-Villa Valkenburg highlighted Caulfield-Dreier as a specialist in classics and time trials who excels in demanding race conditions.
Killarney Cycling Club Chairman Kevin Murphy welcomed the announcement, praising the former member’s dedication.
“Stefan has shown enormous persistence and resilience, and we are delighted that he has been recognized and rewarded with this big step-up in his career,” Murphy said.
Caulfield-Dreier’s father, Heiko, runs Killorglin-based firm Aqua Design and has been a long-standing supporter of Killarney Cycling Club.

Stefan Caulfield-Dreier signs professional cycling contract


Former Killarney Cycling Club rider Stefan Caulfield-Dreier has secured a professional contract with leading Dutch-based outfit Azerion-Villa Valkenburg.


The 23-year-old Beaufort native began his cycling career with Killarney Cycling Club in the under-12 age category. He demonstrated strong potential during his youth career, culminating in a victory at the Under-16 National Time-Trial Championship in 2019.
After progressing through the junior ranks, Caulfield-Dreier began racing on the Continent with a Dutch squad upon entering senior competition. He claimed Senior National Track titles in both the Points and Madison events in 2023 and 2024, and went on to represent Ireland at international track events in the Netherlands and Switzerland across 2024 and 2025.
Announcing the signing, team management at Azerion-Villa Valkenburg highlighted Caulfield-Dreier as a specialist in classics and time trials who excels in demanding race conditions.
Killarney Cycling Club Chairman Kevin Murphy welcomed the announcement, praising the former member’s dedication.
“Stefan has shown enormous persistence and resilience, and we are delighted that he has been recognized and rewarded with this big step-up in his career,” Murphy said.
Caulfield-Dreier’s father, Heiko, runs Killorglin-based firm Aqua Design and has been a long-standing supporter of Killarney Cycling Club.


Former Killarney Cycling Club rider Stefan Caulfield-Dreier has secured a professional contract with leading Dutch-based outfit Azerion-Villa Valkenburg.


The 23-year-old Beaufort native began his cycling career with Killarney Cycling Club in the under-12 age category. He demonstrated strong potential during his youth career, culminating in a victory at the Under-16 National Time-Trial Championship in 2019.
After progressing through the junior ranks, Caulfield-Dreier began racing on the Continent with a Dutch squad upon entering senior competition. He claimed Senior National Track titles in both the Points and Madison events in 2023 and 2024, and went on to represent Ireland at international track events in the Netherlands and Switzerland across 2024 and 2025.
Announcing the signing, team management at Azerion-Villa Valkenburg highlighted Caulfield-Dreier as a specialist in classics and time trials who excels in demanding race conditions.
Killarney Cycling Club Chairman Kevin Murphy welcomed the announcement, praising the former member’s dedication.
“Stefan has shown enormous persistence and resilience, and we are delighted that he has been recognized and rewarded with this big step-up in his career,” Murphy said.
Caulfield-Dreier’s father, Heiko, runs Killorglin-based firm Aqua Design and has been a long-standing supporter of Killarney Cycling Club.

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Church seeks creative Christmas trees for festival

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Church seeks creative Christmas trees for festival

The Methodist Church in Killarney is inviting local schools, community groups, businesses, and individuals to create and submit decorated Christmas trees for an upcoming festive event on Countess Road.

The Christmas Tree Festival will take place at the church from December 4 to December 6.
Organiser Revd Alison Gallagher explained that the initiative aims to build on the success of the church’s Summer Fête, which raised several thousand euro for church funds and designated charity ADAPT Kerry.
Revd Gallagher previously directed a similar festival in Inishowen, County Donegal, which featured more than 50 unique tree entries from local schools, daycare centres, supermarkets, jewellers, and local services.
Revd Gallagher said: “In August, we had a very successful Summer Fête, and hundreds of people attended. That event raised several thousand euro for the church and our designated charity, ADAPT Kerry. We are now hoping to build on that success with this forthcoming festival, which will hopefully showcase the creativity and talent that exists in the town and surrounding area.”
Anyone interested in submitting a tree for the display can contact Revd Gallagher on 087 263 2906 or by email at alison.gallagher@irishmethodist.org.

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