News
Bearded man highlights battle for suicide prevention

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AFTER losing his father to suicide in 2015, Gary O’Dowd is determined to turn his grief into something positive, with the hope that it may help others. The Bearded Man’s Battle for Suicide Prevention campaign was born when Gary started growing his beard to honour his father, who always sported some form of facial hair.
The charity fundraiser event set for July 16, in Jack Duggan’s Bar, Castlemaine, at 8pm, is a “shave or grow” event. It was launched with the help of Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae last Friday.
The public will decide whether Gary should shave his beard off, or keep it for another year. Should they vote to keep the beard, Gary will shave his hair off instead. With local music, DJ, spot prizes and the chance for you to nominate your friends to get waxed, it’s sure to be a great night.
The Bearded Man campaign has raised over €500 so far online and the Facebook page has reached over a thousand likes in just one month. Through JustGiving, a fundraising website, supporters can donate any amount which goes directly to the charities involved. Link: https://www.justgiving.com/teams/thebeardedman.
A text campaign was also recently launched with Deputy Michael Healy-Rae coming on board to show his support. Supporters can Text SWCC to 50300 to donate €4. (*Text costs €4. SouthWest Counselling Centre will receive a minimum of €3.25) All money raised will be divided amongst Console and Kerry LifeLine.
Just one year after the death of Gary’s dad, Maurice O’Dowd, the Bearded Man campaign was established.
With a goal of raising awareness and as much money possible, Gary decided to raise money for two charities which helped him and his family greatly after Maurice’s tragic death. Console and Kerry LifeLine/SouthWest Counselling Centre, Killarney, both offered a huge amount of support to the O’Dowd family and Gary wanted to show his appreciation to them by creating this event to raise some much-needed money and awareness of suicide prevention, support and for those also bereaved of affected by suicide in some way.
Gary has used social media to get his message across for far. On Facebook, Gary has uploaded multiple diary-entry style posts where he goes in to detail about the campaign, his father, and how losing his father as affected his life.
He also filmed a vlog where he explained his grief and what he hopes to get from the campaign. Gary’s overall motto is that he wants to help both charities as much as he can, so that they can continue helping others.
Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/teams/thebeardedman
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garythebeardedman/
Text: SWCC to 50300 to Donate €4.
Deputy Michael Healy-Rae helps Gary O’Dowd launch the Bearded Man text campaign.
News
Status Orange Weather Warning for Kerry
Met Éireann has issued two weather warnings for Kerry on Wednesday, 27 September, A Status Orange warning for heavy and intense rainfall is in place from 9am to 3pm while […]

Met Éireann has issued two weather warnings for Kerry on Wednesday, 27 September,
A Status Orange warning for heavy and intense rainfall is in place from 9am to 3pm while a Status Yellow warning for strong and gusty winds is in place from 7am on Wednesday to 12am on Thursday.
Possible impacts and disruptions include difficult travelling conditions, localised and coastal flooding, power outages, fallen trees and branches and poor visibility.
Kerry County Council is advising members of the public to prepare for severe weather on Wednesday and to ensure that items vulnerable to high winds are stored away. The Council is also advising motorists to travel with extreme caution on Wednesday and to expect surface water and spot flooding on all routes.
News
World Rally Champion Phil Mills’ Killarney visit
Former World co-driving champion Phil Mills will be one of the guests of honour at a special Killarney and District Motor Club event next month. The club is celebrating Prodrive’s […]

Former World co-driving champion Phil Mills will be one of the guests of honour at a special Killarney and District Motor Club event next month.
The club is celebrating Prodrive’s association with the Rally of the Lakes on October 14.
The legendary British motorsport preparation firm was responsible for building some of the most iconic associated with the local rally.
The celebration, which will raise funds for the Jack and Jill Foundation, will be hosted by the voice of Irish motorsport Alan ‘Plum’ Tyndall.
Welshman Mills, who won the 2003 World Rally Championship, alongside Petter Solberg has confirmed his attendance at the Killarney Racecourse-based event.
He is just one of many superstars attending the showcase.
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“Accompanying the stars will be a collection of iconic Prodrive machinery, ranging from the BMW E30 M3, all the way through to the Subaru Group A and World Rally Cars the 1990s and early 2000s,” said Killarney and District Motor Club vice chairman and organiser Mike Shea.
“All proceeds of this event will go directly to the Jack & Jill foundation helping provide support and special care to children across the country and is a once in a lifetime event.”
This event is in association with: Lyons of Limerick; C.Wharton Tool Hire Ltd; BG Motors Ltd; Castleisland Tyre Centre; Aherns Motor Group; Reen’s Rathmore Peugeot; KC Print and Moriarty’s Central Car Sales
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