News
Damien plans mammoth cycle for men’s health charity
By Michelle Crean
Over the coming days Killarney native Damien O’Sullivan and his friends are preparing to cycle the entire length of the country - completing a whopping total distance of 642.81km and a total elevation gain of 4,707m!
From this Thursday (March 24) to Sunday (March 27) Damien from Knockmanagh will team up with ex Connacht player Jack Dinneen, ex Irish 7’s player and Love Island winner Greg O’Shea, and Eduardo Moffitt, and cycle from Malin Head to Mizen Head.
They'll cycle from north to south from Malin Head to Bundoran on day one, Bundoran to Oranmore on day two, Oranmore to Killarney on day three, and finally finish Killarney to Mizen Head on Sunday leaving from the Dromhall Hotel that morning at 9am.
This cycling challenge is one of a number of fundraising activities that the group have arranged over the last few months including twice completing 'The Four Peaks Challenge’ where one summits the highest peak in each province in as quick a time as possible, and a 480km cycle across the month of November, in addition to taking part in the ‘Grow a Mo’ Movember campaign. All these efforts, and with more to come, are culminating in the ultimate challenge of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in June of this year.
The group are taking on these challenges to help raise funds and awareness for the Movember charity, the world’s leading men’s health organisation and support causes covering testicular cancer, prostate cancer and men’s mental health and suicide prevention.
With a fundraising target of €30,000, the team would appreciate any support that can be provided via GoFundMe 'Kilimanjaro '22'.
Damien went to primary school in Tiernaboul followed by The Sem and played football for Killarney Legion as an adult and soccer with Killarney Athletic.
“As is the case for most people, we have been affected by mental health and suicide, in addition to a growing number of men living through testicular cancer, and prostate cancer in our families and friend’s groups,” Damien told the Killarney Advertiser.
“Far too often men don’t know what to do or fail to act in each of these areas. Over the past few years I have taken part in Movember to help raise awareness for all aspects of men’s health and help fund the brilliant work the Movember charity do. Last July both Jack Dinneen and I were approached by Movember to ask if we would be interested in stepping up our efforts to support the charity, which we jumped at.
"We will be undertaking the cycle from Malin to Mizen Head to again raise awareness and support for the Movember charity. To say we are excited would be an understatement as is it a bucket list event for us all.
"We have been and continue to work hard at this, so if you would like to keep up to date with our journey, you can find us on Instagram and Facebook: Kilimanjaro_22.”
News
Godley fourth in National Ploughing competition
By Sean Moriarty Four years on from his last appearance at the National Ploughing Championships, Shane Godley continues to move up the ranks in his age group. The Killarney Ploughing […]
By Sean Moriarty
Four years on from his last appearance at the National Ploughing Championships, Shane Godley continues to move up the ranks in his age group.
The Killarney Ploughing Association member last represented Kerry in the Under 21s in 2018 when he placed sixth in the two-furrow conventional class in the national competition.
Last week at the 2022 National Ploughing Championships at Rathinaska, County Laois he placed fourth in the under 28 age group for the same category.
“Weather conditions for both the ploughing days was very good but the ground was very hard,” he said.
Club mate Mike Brosnan from Gortalea, finished 20th in the ‘Vintage Mounted’ class. They were the only two members of Killarney Ploughing Association to compete at the event.
News
Public invited to inaugural ‘Call of the Wild’ events
By Michelle Crean It’s not often members of the public get a safe close up look at the native Red deer – but soon they can with two days of events […]
By Michelle Crean
It’s not often members of the public get a safe close up look at the native Red deer – but soon they can with two days of events at Killarney National Park.
This year marks the inaugural ‘Call of the Wild’ autumn gathering – the highlight of the Killarney National Park nature calendar – and it takes place on Saturday and Sunday October 15 and 16.
The programme will be presented by the Conservation Rangers of National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), led by Danny O’Keeffe, District Conservation Officer.
Killarney National Park was the first National Park in Ireland, it encompasses 10,000 hectares of diverse ecology, ancient oak and yew woodlands – the most extensive covering of native forest of international importance, the famous Lakes of Killarney, the monastic 6th century Innisfallen Island, Muckross House and Killarney House and Gardens. There the renowned native Irish Red deer – the largest and only native species with a continuous presence in Ireland since the end of the last Ice Age (c.10,000 BC) – live.
Paudie O’Leary was the Head Conservation Ranger at Killarney National Park, and sadly passed away unexpectedly in August 2012. This year to honour Paudie’s memory, Divisional Manager Killarney National Park, Eamonn Meskell, will deliver the inaugural Paudie O’Leary lecture at Killarney House Auditorium on Saturday October 15 at 3pm.
Other events include Autumn Dawn Watch, Photographic Workshops, Children’s Autumn Watch with Killarney National Park Education Centre based at Knockreer House, Autumn Night Watch, and an informal discussion of the work of NPWS Conservation Rangers chaired by Chief Executive Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell.
Programme
Saturday October 15
7.30am: Autumn Dawn Watch Gathering takes place. National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) local Conservation Rangers meet at Knockreer Gates (opposite St Mary’s Cathedral) walking tour observing native Irish deer, flora and fauna during the autumn season.
Early morning self guide photographic opportunities within Killarney Demesne – observing and photographing the annual rutting season from a safe distance on designated paths.
10am: Autumn Photographic Workshop with photographer Micheál O’Sullivan at Ross Castle. For bookings: info@killarneyphototours.ie/mobile 087 6290556.
10am – 2pm: Children Autumn Watch: Killarney National Park Education Centre, Knockreer House, Scavenger hunts, beginners bushcraft, nature games and a look at the mammals of Killarney National Park.
3pm: The inaugural Paudie O’Leary lecture: Killarney House and Gardens Auditorium delivered by Divisional Manager NPWS Killarney National Park: Eamonn Meskell: Bookings: Reception 01 539 3620.
7.30pm: Autumn Night Watch: Killarney National Park (NPWS) Conservation Rangers to meet at Knockreer gates (opposite St Mary’s Cathedral) bring a head torch/suitable clothing.
Sunday October 16
7.30am: Autumn Dawn Watch Gathering: National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) local Conservation Rangers. Meeting at Knockreer Gates (opposite St Mary’s Cathedral) – walking tour observing native Irish deer, flora and fauna during the autumn season.
Early morning self guide photographic opportunities within Killarney Demesne – observing and photographing the annual rutting season from a safe distance on designated paths.
10am: Autumn Photographic Workshop with photographer Micheál O’Sullivan meet at Ross Castle. Bookings: info@killarneyphototours.ie/mobile 087 6290556.
2pm: Autumn Watch Scattering: Muckross School House: informal discussion with NPWS Conservation Rangers on their work in Killarney National Park – chaired by Chief Executive Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell.
For further information and updates: www.facebook.com/killarneynationalpark.
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