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Beaufort teen completes one hundred Carrauntoohil climbs

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By Michelle Crean

She may be only 14-years-old but Orlaith Kelly from Beaufort has accomplished an amazing feat by climbing Carrauntoohil one hundred times.

SNOW FUN: Orlaith Kelly pictured with her dad Piaras on Carrauntoohil which she has climbed 100 times in the last five years.

ACHIEVEMENT: Orlaith Kelly (14) this week scaled Carrauntoohil for the one hundredth time.

Orlaith pictured with her dad Piaras Kelly and mom Catherine Kelly.

On Monday, Orlaith once again scaled Ireland's tallest mountain - but this time it was extra special for her and her family as it was the teen's centenary climb.

Orlaith has a special connection to the mountains as her parents Catherine and Piaras Kelly run Kerry Climbing - and live right beside the MacGillicuddy Reeks.

"She has always been into hiking and the outdoors," Catherine told the Killarney Advertiser.

"She climbed Torc when she was four and that would have been her first peak. She's been doing it since she was knee high to a grasshopper. We're lucky to have the MacGillicuddy Reeks so close."

Around the age of seven Orlaith began to get a little bit more ambitious after watching her parents regularly take groups on the Carrauntoohil climb. She then began asking if she could accompany them.

However it wasn't until the age of nine, and after years of climbing, that her parents felt that she had enough experience to accomplish it safely with them as they are trained professionals who could help guide her.

On her 10th birthday she also climbed Coomloughra Horseshoe which is one of Ireland's classic ridge walks on the MacGillycuddy Reeks.

The youngster has also climbed the four highest peaks in Ireland - two in one day!

She's climbed Carrauntoohil which is 1,038.6 metres high and Mweelraa at 814 metres.

However, one of other biggest challenges was heading to Belfast with her dad where the next day she not only climbed Slieve Donard which is 850 metres high - but travelled to Wicklow the same day and climbed Lugnaquilla which is 925 metres and then made the journey home to Beaufort.

"That's her sport, she's not into team sports," said Catherine.

"She has done all the peaks on Carrauntoohil in all different weathers. The main thing we're so proud of is the experience she's gained. She does talks on geology when out on corporate climbs and she has done her Mountain Skills 1 and 2 which are starting courses to become a mountain leader."

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Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

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Passengers using TFI Local Link Kerry services in Killarney and across the county can now pay for their journeys using contactless card payments.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the rollout this week, allowing commuters to simply tap their debit card, credit card, or mobile devices, such as Apple Pay and Google Pa, when boarding.

The move is designed to offer more convenience for those using high-frequency rural and regional routes.

In Killarney, the new payment option will be available on the TFI Anseo town services, which have seen a significant increase in passenger numbers since their introduction.

The contactless system is currently available for single journey fares, while those using daily or weekly passes can continue to use the Leap website or the TFI Leap Top Up App.
Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, welcomed the modernisation of the fleet.

“The introduction of contactless payments is another welcome step forward for public transport in Kerry,” he said. “It complements other major projects in the county, including the expansion of TFI Local Link services and the delivery of TFI Anseo in Killarney, which is proving to be another great initiative.”

While the new technology offers a modern alternative, traditional payment methods are not being phased out. Cash payments, TFI Leap cards, and Free Travel Cards all remains fully valid across the network.

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How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

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Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will be tabling a motion of no confidence against the Government after the protests that took place nationwide during the week.

Earlier today we asked our readers how would they vote in a no confidence motion against the Government?

Most of our readers said they would vote no confidence, while some said, yes they do have confidence in the Government.

One reader said: “Vote confidence. The only proper leadership over the last few days came from government. Courage came when needed despite how unpopular it looked in the moment. By contrast, opposition politicians wanted the country to burn to suit themselves”.

Another reader stated: “No confidence. Shambolic and heavy handed handling of protests this past week”.

However, some people didn’t have any confidence in either side with a reader saying: “No confidence in the no confidence! Different wings of the same bird! We need a complete overhaul of the political system”.

We asked the question to our 5 Kerry TDs before lunch-time today, asking them what their vote will be tomorrow.

We received one reply from Sinn Féin’s Kerry TD Pa Daly.

He will be voting no confidence in the Government tomorrow along with his party.

Other media outlets are reporting that Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae is undecided at the moment.

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