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Almost €10k raised in memory of Ian

Published

3 years ago

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0249175_Donal_Hurley__Dan_O_Sullivan__John_Hurley__Oisin_Hurley__Hanorah_Hurley_Sean_Hurley_and_Darragh_O_Sullivan.jpg
Donal Hurley Dan O'Sullivan John Hurley Oisin Hurley Hanorah Hurley Sean Hurley and Darragh O'Sullivan at the tractor and car run in memory of Ian O'Riordan on Saturday. Photo: Seamus Healy

By Michelle Crean

A day in memory of Ian O'Riordan was a huge success as €9,800 was raised in his name.

Kayla O'Connell Sinead Murphy Paddy O'Keeffe Eileen O'Riordan Donal Murphy John Murphy and other participants pictured at the tractor and car run in memory of Ian O'Riordan in Rathmore on Saturday. Photo: Seamus Healy

Rob Donnelly Phelim Foley Clodagh O'Donoghue Jacqueline Jayden and Logan Reen at the tractor and car run in Rathmore on Saturday. Photo: Seamus Healy

Michael Imelda and Fia Cronin pictured at the tractor and car run in Rathmore on Saturday in memory of Ian O'Riordan. Photo: Seamus Healy

Micheal Foley on his new Holland in Rathmore on Saturday in memory of Ian O'Riordan. Photo: Seamus Healy

Ruairi Micheal and Conor O'Donoghue at the tractor and car run on Saturday in memory of Ian O'Riordan. Photo: Seamus Healy

Eileen O'Riordan with family and friends who organised the tractor and car run in Rathmore on Saturday in memory of Ian O'Riordan. Photo: Seamus Healy

Liam Eileen and Melissa O'Riordan who organised the event in Rathmore on Saturday in memory of their beloved Ian O'Riordan. Photo: Seamus Healy

Christopher Murphy Denis Fitzpatrick and James O'Regan at the tractor and car run in memory of Ian O'Riordan on Saturday in Rathmore. Photo: Seamus Healy

99 tractors, 97 cars and 10 trucks from all over Kerry and as far away as Kilnamartyra near Macroom made their way to Rathmore on Saturday for the event in aid of Down Syndrome Kerry (DSK).

Ian, from Maughantourig, Gneeveguilla, sadly passed away on January 14, 2013 aged just 16-years-old.

His family organised the tractor and car run for his 10th anniversary.

Registration began at the Rathmore GAA grounds in the morning and the vehicles departed at 12.30pm. Later in the day it was time to let their hair down with entertainment from 'Up in Smoke' at the Bridge Bar.

Ian's mom Eileen O'Riordan said that she couldn't have done it without the support of the community and beyond.

"It was absolutely fantastic. There were over 200 vehicles there."

She added that it was "heartwarming" that her children's friends, neighbours and the community gave "amazing" support.

"It was countywide support for the fundraiser. The Kerry jersey was won in Listowel which shows that tickets were sold as far as there," she said. "All Ian's classmates were there. There were stories all day and glasses clinging in his memory. It was emotional but enjoyable. Thanks to Rathmore GAA for the fantastic facilities and stewarding and every steward in Gneeveguilla. I couldn't have done it without the two GAA clubs and the Bridge Bar. Thanks also to everyone dug so deep."

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Concerns over future of St Mary of the Angels

Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for […]

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9 hours ago

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17 October 2025

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Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for children and adults with profound disabilities and special needs.

The campus, set on lands generously donated by the Doyle family, offers 30 acres of grounds, existing buildings, and services, making it a valuable asset for the provision of respite care in Kerry. TD Michael Cahill emphasized that the Doyle family’s wishes should be respected, and that the grounds should be made accessible immediately.
“The special needs community in Kerry has a major respite crisis and families don’t have time to wait. Families need help — they are not asking for full-time residential care but respite care, a break, a helping hand,” Deputy Cahill said.
He added that a bespoke approach is needed to meet the individual needs of children attending St Francis Special School. “Many of the children in the county with profound needs need a safe haven where they can roam the grounds freely, and St Mary of the Angels offers this.”
Deputy Cahill has accompanied several Ministers to the Beaufort campus to highlight its value to Disability Health Service providers. A working group has been formed including St John of Gods, the HSE, representatives of residents at St Mary of the Angels, and St Francis Special School, to explore options for maintaining and expanding respite services.
“Parents are worn out and at the end of their tether. This needs to be dealt with expeditiously, in an environment of cooperation between the relevant Government Departments of Health, Disability, and Education. We need to get this across the line urgently and put it permanently in place,” he said.
Deputy Cahill pointed to the current shortfall of respite services in Kerry. “As of now, Cunamh Iveragh respite in Cahersiveen is only open Friday to Sunday, running at half capacity — two adults per night instead of four. The issue is staffing, and the HSE will not release funding to open full-time. The Beaufort campus is available and should be utilised as parents are crying out for overnight respite. Cooperation and compassion could see this done quickly.”
TD Danny Healy Rae echoed these concerns during a Dáil speech this week. “We are still short of respite beds on the southern side of the constituency. Families caring for people with disabilities just want a break, but there is nowhere available locally. Places are being offered only in Tipperary or Meath for those needing new residential care. It makes no sense. St Mary of the Angels in Beaufort has 40 or 50 acres of grounds that could be expanded, with facilities already in place such as swimming pools. It could be developed as a model for the rest of the country.”
Both TDs are urging the Government and the HSE to take immediate action to utilise the Beaufort campus for respite care, in line with the intentions of the Doyle family and the needs of Kerry families.

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Cardiac Response Unit’s ‘Restart a Heart’ training event

Killarney Cardiac Response Unit (KCRU) is set to run a range of events as part of the global initiative Restart A Heart, which aims to increase awareness and actual rates […]

Published

14 hours ago

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17 October 2025

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Killarney Cardiac Response Unit (KCRU) is set to run a range of events as part of the global initiative Restart A Heart, which aims to increase awareness and actual rates of bystander CPR worldwide.

The main event, titled RAH 2025, invites the public to learn life-saving skills and the basic steps in the chain of survival. This will take place on Saturday, October 18, at the Killarney Outlet Centre.
Members of the public are encouraged to join KCRU at the centre between 10:00 am and 5pm.
Key feature of the day will be the CPR Competition, offering “fantastic prizes to be won.”
For further information, visit www.killarneycru.ie/rah25

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