Book launch: Sister completes late brother’s Shipping Forecast sea kayak challenge

A unique book promotional event will take place in the Beaufort Bar next week, telling the story of a sister who took to the sea to complete her late brother’s extraordinary adventure.

Katie Carr will speak at the Beaufort venue on Tuesday, June 23 at 7:30pm to launch her most recent book, Thundery at Times. The book follows her journey to honour her brother, Toby, who passed away in the middle of his challenge to paddle in every sea area of the BBC Shipping Forecast. Despite having never been in a sea kayak before, Katie decided to take over the expedition and finish what he started.

The upcoming talk connects her new perspective with her earlier work, Moderate Becoming Good Later, which she wrote in Toby’s voice as a tribute to his determination. Her latest book looks at the intense physical and emotional challenges of taking on the journey herself.

Six of the famous BBC Shipping Forecast area, Fastnet, Irish Sea, Shannon, Rockall, Malin, and Lund, reach the Irish coast. Five of the book’s chapters are set in Ireland, including a dedicated chapter on Kerry, making her upcoming visit to the county particularly meaningful.

The launch is being highlighted locally by Donal Dowd of Coolcaslagh, the retired Director of Cappanalea OETC, who accompanied Katie on the water during her journey.

“I accompanied Katie on one of her trips while she was completing the Shannon section, which commences in Valentia and stretches up as far north as Connemara in west Galway,” Donal said. “I encourage members of the public to attend what will be an entertaining event, as Katie is a most entertaining speaker, has great slides and video footage, and has a very interesting story to tell.”

The evening will include readings from the book, reflections on the writing and paddling processes, an audience question-and-answer session, and a book signing. Admission is open to all members of the public.

The annual Blessing of the Lilies took place at the Franciscan Friary in Killarney on Saturday, 13 June, marking the Feast of St Anthony.

The traditional ceremony was celebrated by Fr Joe Condren OFM as part of the annual St Anthony’s Novena.

The custom, which originates from the older Roman Ritual, sees lilies blessed on this specific feast day.

The lily serves as a traditional symbol of St Anthony, representing purity, with the blessing itself stemming from historical accounts of miracles associated with the flower.

Fr Joe, a Dublin native, is a familiar figure to the local parish, having previously served as a member of the Killarney Franciscan community during two separate periods, from 2000 to 2002 and again from 2011 to 2014.

Since his time in Kerry, his ministry has taken him abroad to Zimbabwe, and he later served as vicar provincial from 2017 until 2023.

He is currently based in Rome, Italy, where he resides at the Irish Franciscan College of St Isidore and is involved in ministry within the general Curia at the OFM headquarters.