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‘Bones’ presented with prestigious rally trophy

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Michael ‘Bones’ O’Connor was presented with one of the most prestigious trophies in Kerry rallying at the County Rally Championship awards night in Keel last Friday night.

MILLTOWN: Ray O’Neill and Ger Conway both from Milltown collected their Kingdom of Kerry Rally Championship awards from World Rally start Craig Breen. Photo: Ted O'Connell

CHAMPION: Kingdom of Kerry Historic Rally champion Fergus O’Meara collected his award from world rally star Craig Breen. Photo: Ted O'Connell

REPRESENTING: Mike Buckley collected the championship awards on behalf of his son Aidan and nephew Shane Buckley from Craig Breen at the Kingdom of Kerry Rally Championship awards night in Keel last Friday. Photos: Ted O'Connell

RECOGNITION: Michael ‘Bones’ O’Connor with the Paudie Casey Memorial Trophy. Photo: Ted O'Connell

The Caherdaniel-based Killarney and District Motor Club member was presented with the Paudie Casey Memorial Trophy which is awarded to the person who has made the biggest contribution to motorsport in the county over the last 12 months.

The winner, as judged by championship organisers after receiving nominations from Kerry Motor Club and Killarney and District Motor Club, is a closely guarded secret until the announcement is made.

‘Bones' as he is affectionately known, has been involved in motorsport for most of his life. He was the second-ever Clerk of the Course for the West Cork Rally over 40 years ago.

In 2022, he volunteered to marshal at over 25 events, often taking on jobs that are well out of the limelight like stage entrance or exit marshal and when the long day is over he is one of the last to leave as he stays on to help with a litter pick.

“This is the first awards ceremony I have attended this millennium,” said a clearly surprised ‘Bones’, “But it is an honour and a privilege to accept this trophy.”

World Rally Championship star driver Craig Breen was the guest of honour on the night. He presented many of the awards for both the 2022 championship and the delayed 2021 series.

Other guests included Muckross man Noel O'Sullivan who won the British Rally Championship last year and Aghadoe co-driver Mikie Galvin who was runner-up in the same competition.

Last year’s award winners were: Megan Costello, Kerry Motor Club (Ladies Champion); Jason Farrell Killarney and District Motor Club (KDMC), (Junior Champion); Fergus O’Meara KDMC (Historic Champion); Bob Moran KDMC / Kevin Doherty KMC (third overall); Alan Ring KDMC / Damian Fleming KDMC (second overall); and champions Darren Young Kerry Motor Club and Ger Conway KDMC.

Award winners for the 2021 series included Alan Ring, KDMC and Paul Nagle, KDMC, (Historic Champions); Ray O’Neill, KDMC / Ger Conway, KDMC (third overall); Aidan Buckley, KDMC / Denny Greany, Kerry Motor Club (second overall); and champions Mark Murphy, Kerry Motor Club and Shane Buckley, KDMC.

The Kingdom of Kerry Rally Championship was first run in 2018 and is open to members of both Kerry and Killarney and District Motor Clubs. Since its inception, it has been sponsored by Moriarty’s Centra in Farranfore.

Former proprietor Mike Moriarty retired from the supermarket business in December but will continue to support the championship through his Moriarty’s Central Car Sales operation in the mid-Kerry village.

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Killarney and District Motor Club members honoured by Motorsport Ireland

By Cormac Casey Several members of Killarney and District Motor Club were honoured at the Motorsport Ireland awards lunch in Dublin on Wednesday. The highlight of the event is the […]

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By Cormac Casey

Several members of Killarney and District Motor Club were honoured at the Motorsport Ireland awards lunch in Dublin on Wednesday.

The highlight of the event is the announcement of the sport’s top awards.

Kilkenny’s Jack Brennan (19) was named Young Rally Driver of the Year, while Wexford native Jack Byrne was named Young Racing Driver of the Year and the International Driver of the Year award went to recently crowned FIA Junior World Rally Champion, William Creighton.

Muckross-based co-driver Noel O’Sullivan was presented with his Irish Tarmac Rally Championship winning trophy.

This year saw the introduction of the Motorsport Ireland President’s Awards which celebrate the achievements of  clubs and organisations.

Killarney and District Motor Club won in the innovation category for their work with their KDMC 2 initiative thanks to the efforts of the club’s vice chairman Mike O’Shea.

Rally Rescue teams were also recognised and the club’s Mike Cleary picked up an award for his role he played in what was a difficult year for rescue crew operators.

Tom O’Riordan, who looks after ambulance procurement on the club’s events, was presented with an FIA Volunteer Pin by Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper.

Killarney Advertiser Journalist Sean Moriarty was presented with an award for best use of of PR and media in 2023.

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Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest ‘thank you’ event at Brehon

Participation in the 2023 Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest has grown by more than 100% since 2020 with 98% of those who gave feedback saying they would attend similar […]

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Participation in the 2023 Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest has grown by more than 100% since 2020 with 98% of those who gave feedback saying they would attend similar events again in 2024.

Feedback from more than 100 people who attended this year’s Fest events from 7th to 14th October was positive with 91% stating they were satisfied.
The Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest is held annually over the course of a week to highlight World Mental Health Day on October 10.
It aims to raise awareness of the available supports and services in Kerry as well as empower people to engage with the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ through offering a dynamic and interactive programme of events.
99% percent of respondents, most of whom identified as female, said they would recommend the Fest to friends next year. Some key notes for improvement included a request for more events with wider variety throughout the county.
The Chair of the Interagency Steering Group, John Drummey from Kerry Mental Health Association, said: “We wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to event organisers, community groups, businesses, funders and partners that facilitated the Fest’s dynamic and interactive programme of events in 2023. We are encouraged to see such growth in numbers attending the Fest events with a 50% increase from 2022. We are already making plans for the Fest from 5 to 12t October 2024 and we are looking forward to building on this year’s successes. That said, there is always room for improvement and we would welcome suggestions for new events and activities.”
Many of the event organisers attended a ‘thank-you’ event at the Brehon Hotel, Killarney, courtesy of the Kerry Volunteer Centre to coincide with the annual International Volunteer Day, December 5.
The Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest was organised by an interagency steering group made up of local agencies that support wellbeing in our community.
The organising committee is a collaboration between Connecting for Life Kerry, Healthy Kerry, Kerry County Council, Kerry Recreation & Sports Partnership, the HSE, NEWKD, SKDP, Kerry Mental Health Association, Jigsaw Kerry, Munster Technological University/Kerry, KDYS, Kerry Volunteer Centre and Family Resource Centres throughout the county.

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