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Book to remember Johnny ‘The Rock’ O’Brien

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By Sean Moriarty

A Glenflesk man who died in tragic circumstances at Christmas is to be forever remembered in a book.

The Glenflesk community woke to the worst possible news on St Stephen’s Day when they learned that Johnny 'The Rock' O'Brien, had died in a house fire.A passing motorist alerted emergency services after seeing the fire in the early hours of December 26.A popular local figure, ‘The Rock’ was a farmer who lived his entire life at the roadside farmhouse near Glenflesk.He was well-known to passing motorists, a friendly honk of a car’s horn was always met by an equally happy salute from the bachelor farmer.His love of his animals made national headlines a few years ago as he saved them from flooding after a severe storm.A central part of the local community, ‘The Rock' was supposed to climb The Paps with a group of locals on the Monday morning of his death to raise funds for two charities.Now a friend and neighbour wants to remember him and she is looking for old photos and anecdotes to compile into a book.“The idea is to gather stories and anecdotes from as wide a group of Johnny's friends and neighbours as possible and combine them with as many photos as possible.“[Photographer] Valerie O'Sullivan is completely behind this project and has promised to help with photos of Johnny,” said his neighbour and friend Lucy Chisholm Greenfield in a social media post.“The plan is to self-publish a little book to keep Johnny's memory alive. I will absorb the costs and the price will be set low to encourage everyone who knew him to buy a copy.“All money from the sale of books will go to the two charities that Johnny was intending to raise money for by walking to the summit of one of The Paps with Sam McGuire on St Stephen's Day. The walk went ahead in the snow but without Johnny and with heavy hearts.”The two charities that the book will support are the Kerry Cancer Support Group and The Brian Lawlor Trust.

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MTU hosts Active Ageing Festival at Kerry Sports Academy

Young students got to share their learning skills while an older group showed patience and experience during the ‘Active Ageing Festival’. Held in Munster Technological University last week the event, […]

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Young students got to share their learning skills while an older group showed patience and experience during the ‘Active Ageing Festival’.

Held in Munster Technological University last week the event, in conjunction with Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership (KRSP), saw 150 people engaged with a busy schedule of activities, facilitated by the students and staff of the Department of Health and Leisure Studies.

Dr Barry Moynihan, Consultant Geriatrician in University Hospital Kerry opened the event with an informative talk on the importance of movement as we age.

Many community organisations and networks were represented on the day such as HSE, Baile Mhuire, Kerry Library, Kerry Call, SeanChairde, Centre of Smart Ageing, Probus and Age and Opportunity.

Activities such as Pickleball, Bowls, Better Balance Better Bones, Dance and Yoga were also showcased.

Gearoid O’Doherty, coordinator of the KRSP, highlighted the need for more community-based activities for older adults across Kerry and the role of the partnership in supporting this development.

It is hoped that other venues across the county can facilitate a similar event in the future.

MTU lecturer and event coordinator Eimear Foley, spoke of the mutual benefit that this day provided to both participants and students.

“The real-life experience afforded to the students is immense, with involvement in planning, delivering and evaluation of the event to the fore.”

Within their course, the concept of being active across the lifespan is embedded and this opportunity for the students to engage in real life learning is paramount. Older people can generate community-based learning experiences not only for themselves but also for the young. Many of the participants commented on the professionalism, warmth and enthusiasm of the students, whilst the students were delighted with the patience shown to them and ease of conversation with the participants.

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Killarney to feature on TG4’s Country Music show

By Sean Moriarty A song about Killarney – once made famous by local Country Music hero Dermot Moriarty – will feature on TG4 tomorrow night (Tuesday). The second series of […]

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By Sean Moriarty

A song about Killarney – once made famous by local Country Music hero Dermot Moriarty – will feature on TG4 tomorrow night (Tuesday).

The second series of the Irish channel’s County Music show ‘Viva Ceol Tire’, which highlights emerging Country Music talent in Ireland, airs every Tuesday night at 9.30pm.

The next programme will feature Donegal singer David James’ version of ‘Oh Killarney’.

The programme was filmed entirely on location in Killarney including Torc Waterfall, Ladies View Moll’s Gap and Kate Kearney’s Cottage.

“The song was written by Dennis Allen. However, it was a hit for Dermot Moriarty in the 1980s. The first time I heard it I loved it and I was thrilled with the reaction my version has got,” James, who is from the small village of Killean in Donegal, told the Killarney Advertiser.

“It’s pretty rural but I love it. I’ll be in Country Music 10 years this May. My first gig was in the local GAA hall for my aunt’s 50th birthday. I was 14 and I’ve been at it ever since.”

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