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Busy year for Kerry Mountain Rescue Team

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By Sean Moriarty

Members of the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team (KMRT) spent 3,100 hours on rescue missions in local mountains last year.

KMRT dealt with 57 callouts and helped a total of 71 people in 2022.

While this number was lower than in 2021, total callout hours are up due to the nature and complexity of a number of the incidents handled during the year.

One fatality was recorded in the mountains last year.

The majority of callouts were to the mountains of the McGillycuddy’s Reeks with many callouts on the Dingle and Beara peninsulas.

Slips, falls and lost parties accounted for the vast majority of incidents which the 38 volunteers with the group deal with.

“Though accidents can and do happen to even the most experienced mountaineers, the main trend in incidents over the past few years (excluding lockdown) involved a significant number of inexperienced and ill-equipped parties on the hills,” Colm Burke, KMRT PRO, said.

“We would strongly advise people new to the mountains to ensure they research their chosen activity well in advance and employ the services of a guide or join a club to learn the skills required for a safe and enjoyable adventure.”

TRAINING 2022

The team spent an additional 2,300 training in the mountains last year.

“In addition to callouts the team continued to train regularly throughout the year, logging over 2,300 hours and ensuring that essential core skills such as First Aid, casualty care and evacuation, technical ropework, navigation, 4x4, and radio communications were refreshed and newer skills and techniques well-practised in the harshest weather conditions,” Mr Burke added.

A highlight of 2022 was the recent commencement of the base extension at New Road, Killarney. The extension will provide much-needed facilities including additional equipment storage space, a drying room and a meeting room, all of which will enhance the team’s operational capabilities.

“We look forward to the completion of the extension in 2023,” he added.

“We would like to extend sincere thanks to all those who have donated funds to the team over the year. The team relies heavily on donations to meet our annual running costs and we very much appreciate the effort that donors and fundraisers make in this regard.

“A huge thanks to the local communities who came out in force to support the team during a number of difficult operations, opening their doors at all hours of the day and night to provide warm drinks and food to very grateful rescuers. We cannot thank you enough for your kindness and support.”

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Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections

Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]

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Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.

Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.

The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.

Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.

Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.

She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.

“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”

In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.

In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.

last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History – Irish Life and Lore’.

During the broadcast she talked about her parents’ membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.

This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.

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Philip is running over 100kms for Cancer charity

Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday. Phillip has already […]

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Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday.

Phillip has already completed four half marathons at various locations around Killarney – all in aid of Kerry Cancer Support Group – or the Cancer Bus as it popularly called.

This is the second time that Phillip has run four half marathon and an official race for the charity.

Back in 2021 he finished with 5km Run Killarney event but his finishing race this time around is over eight times the distance at 42kms.

“We are delighted with Philip’s continued fundraising support but also with his awareness raising for the charity,” Breda Dyland, Service Manager Kerry Cancer Support Trust.

“We are getting busier all the time and still get no statutory funding so are dependent on fundraisers like Philip’s to keep us on the road. We have just put our new wheelchair accessible bus on the Cork route so Philip’s funding will be going towards the operation of this vehicle.”

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