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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,.

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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.

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Killarney for Palestine film screening

Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz. The event, which […]

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Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz.

The event, which took place on July 3, included two screenings, both of which were fully booked. Guests enjoyed cheese and wine before the shows.
‘No Other Land’ depicts the ongoing destruction in Masafer Yatta, a cluster of villages in the Southern West Bank, and shows the experiences of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The film won in the Best Documentary category at this year’s Academy Awards.
The screenings were organised in association with the West End School of Arts.
All proceeds from the €25 tickets benefited Camp Breakerz Crew, a children’s charity based in Gaza that provides creative outlets through dance and is involved in food distribution programs in Nuseirat Camp and Deir-Al-Balah due to food shortages.
Sally MacMonagle, who recently spent time in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, also spoke at one of the screenings.

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Bid to host European Presidency summit meetings gathers pace

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026. Deputy Cahill […]

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Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026.

Deputy Cahill believes Kerry’s available accommodation, food, and conference facilities are “second to none,” with Killarney as the central location.
“Visitors from every corner of the earth have been coming to Kerry for centuries now, to experience its beauty and serenity and have returned on many occasions because of the fabulous time they have enjoyed during their stay here,” said Deputy Cahill. “Where else would you want to bring the senior Government Ministers of all of our EU counterpart states, to experience Ireland, its customs and heritage?”
The Rossbeigh TD outlined various attractions available for visitors during downtime: “During their downtime, they can visit the Blaskets and Slea Head, Sceilg Mhichíl and the Ring of Kerry, Killarney’s Lakes, Gap of Dunloe, National Park and Sliabh Luachra, all of our glorious beaches from Ballybunion to Rossbeigh, Kells to Ventry, Whitestrand to Inch, Ballinskelligs to Cromane, Waterville to Derrynane.” He also cited Kerry’s golf courses, Listowel Writers Week, the Rose of Tralee, and Puck Fair as potential experiences.
Deputy Cahill confirmed he has raised this matter with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris; and Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne.
“If Killarney’s bid is successful in bringing the Heads of State to our county for meetings, conferences and functions, it will be a massive boost to the local economy in Killarney and also throughout the county,” added Cahill.”Iwill continue to push in the coming months for Killarney and Kerry to be included as bases for the rounds of meetings that are to take place from July 1 to December 312026.”

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