News
Ballyfinnane cycle is gearing up to return
By Michelle Crean
The wheels are in motion for the return of the ‘Tour de Ballyfinnane’ Cycle with proceeds going to local education.
After an absence of two years, Ballyfinnane National School are delighted to see cyclists gearing up for the April 2 date with funds raised for the facilities and activities for the children attending the school including reading books, computing and science equipment, sports coaching, music coaches, special needs resources.
This is the seventh year of the cycle which is organised by the parents of the children at the two-teacher, co-educational, rural Catholic school, with the support of the school board, the local community and local businesses.
Built in 1965, it is situated in Kiltallagh Parish, between Farranfore and Castlemaine.
This year’s cycle was launched by Brendan Griffin local TD at Divanes Volkwagen Showroom Castleisland, Anne Marie Crean explained.
"We are delighted to have this long established local business as our host sponsor," she said.
"We want to take this opportunity to thank the community, local businesses and not least the cyclists who take part in the event. We do all we can to ensure the event is enjoyable and run to a high standard, this year will be no different and we look forward to welcoming everyone to Ballyfinnane."
There are two routes on offer; 70k and 45k both commencing from Ballyfinnane Community Hall at 10am. Refreshments will be provided along the route and again at the finish with the now infamous complimentary BBQ and entertainment at The Shanty Bar, Ballyfinnane.
Route 1 is 70km and €25. It takes you west to Castlemaine, Inch, Annascaul, Gleann na nGealt, Camp, Tonevane, Caherleaheen, Farmer’s Bridge and over the final climb of the day at Garraun on the return to Ballyfinnane.
Route 2 is 45km and €20. It goes east to Currans, Castleisland, Ballymac, Tralee and back to Ballyfinnane via the Killarney Road and Gortatlea.
Participants can pre-register or find out more on www.tdb.ie or on the day from 8am. Also see Facebook: 'Ballyfinnane Cycle' for updates.
Killarney breaks national May temperature record
Killarney became one of the hottest spots in the country this week as Ireland’s nationalmaximum air temperature record for the month of May was officially broken.
According to data issued by Met Éireann on Tuesday, the weather station at Muckross House recorded a blistering 29.1°C on Tuesday afternoon.
The extraordinary reading comfortably surpassed the previous county May record of 28.4°C, which had stood for nearly three decades after being set in Liscahane Ardfert, on May 31 1997.
The historic warmth came as Northwest Europe was trapped under an intense high-pressure system, frequently referred to as a heat dome.
The unseasonable weather pattern began pushing temperatures toward record levels on Monday when provisional records were initially breached across several nationwide monitoring stations.
Among Met Éireann’s 25 primary synoptic stations, Shannon Airport in County Clare also surpassed the 1997 milestone by reaching 28.6°C.
The Climate and Automatic Monitoring Program (CAMP) network captured the peak of the heatwave, with three independent stations eclipsing the old record on Tuesday and Wednesday, led by the historic high at Muckross House.
Pauline Healy-Reen and her sister Frances at the Gap of Dunloe on Tuesday,
Cars & Coffee for Jack & Jill Foundation
Ballymac Vintage Club will host a Cars & Coffee morning on Bank Holiday Monday, June 1, at Glenduff Manor (V92 YH32).
The event runs from 10:30am to midday, with all proceeds raised on the day going directly to the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation.
An optional short local road run will take place immediately after the meetup, with participants returning to Glenduff Manor afterward. All vintage, classic, and modern interest vehicles are welcome to attend.
Ballymac Vintage Club members launching the upcoming Cars & Coffee morning at Glenduff Manor. Left to right: Tom Glover, Kian O’Connor, George Glover, Joan Glover, Brian Glover, Paul Ahern, Mary Lynch, Ivan Groves, Michael Horan, Trish Horan, and Philip Blennerhassett.
Killarney breaks national May temperature record
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