News
€6k floods in for Alexis during live rowing fundraiser
B
Padraig Monsoon supported by his son Eoin rowing for Alexis.
'Old dog for the hard road' Ger Sweeney rowing for Alexis.
Colm O Súilleabháin, Flesk Valley Treasurer and underage coach rowing for Alexis.
Peter O'Sullivan, Flesk Valley, Rowing for Alexis.
Michael O'Sullivan, Flesk Valley Rowing for Alexis.
adhg Kelly, Flesk Valley Senior Coach and Rowing for Alexis organiser, pictured with Cuán and Carolena.
Donal Kelly Flesk Valley Rowing for Alexis organiser and underage coach.
Tom McGillicuddy having completed the 21km row for Alexis.
Conor O'Callaghan Flesk Valley showing his support for Alexis having completed the 21km row.
Mike Fleming Flesk Valley having completed the 21km row for Alexis.
Pat O'Sullivan Flesk Valley having completed a 21km row for Alexis.
'Row row row your boat, quickly in your room' Alan O'Sullivan Flesk Valley supporting the fundraiser for Alexis.
Paul Burke, part of Flesk Valley's Cork contingent rowing 21km for Alexis.
Neil Horgan Flesk Valley Committee Member and Underage Coach Rowing for Alexis
Timmy O'Donoghue and his wife Nicola having completed 21k row for Alexis.
By Michelle Crean
The people of Killarney and surrounds stepped up and showed their sheer generosity last Friday by donating a whopping €5,900 to help a local little girl. In what was a unique first for Flesk Valley Rowing Club, the senior men each rowed a virtual half-marathon on rowing machines together on Zoom and livestreamed on Facebook for a total of more than 300km for their ‘Rowing 300km for Alexis’ fundraiser.
Originally they had set a target of €2,000 and had managed to raise €1,800 before the event had even begun. However, after going live on Facebook during the event more came flooding in.
[caption id="attachment_36911" align="alignleft" width="258"]
Neil Horgan Flesk Valley Committee Member and Underage Coach Rowing for Alexis[/caption]
"The club would like to sincerely thank everyone who donated so generously to our ‘Rowing 300km for Alexis’ event last weekend in aid of the Alexis O’Mahony fund," Karol Kelly told the Killarney Advertiser.
"The event proved a great success. This money will be used by the ‘Let’s Help Alexis’ fund to purchase a physio bench for Alexis and support her ongoing physiotherapy needs. Thanks to Steve, Teresa and Alexis O’Mahony and everyone involved in the 'Let's Help Alexis' committee for your encouragement and assistance."
The lads have been training together online twice a week since before Christmas and decided to target an Easter half-marathon to bring focus to their training and to raise money for a very worthy local cause.
"Many thanks to senior coach Tadhg Kelly, the club committee and all those who helped in any way to organise and support the event. Finally, thanks to the 16 lads who allowed us into their homes, gardens and sheds to watch them row and suffer; although it wasn’t supposed to be a race, we all know ‘everything is a race’!"
Check out the Flesk Valley Rowing Club Facebook and Instagram pages to see pictures and video of the event. The GoFundMe page 'Rowing 300km for Alexis' remains open for the rest of the week if anyone would still like to donate. For more about Alexis see Facebook: Lets Help Alexis.
[caption id="attachment_36910" align="alignleft" width="395"] Paul Burke, part of Flesk Valley's Cork contingent rowing 21km for Alexis.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_36909" align="alignleft" width="452"] 'Row row row your boat, quickly in your room' Alan O'Sullivan Flesk Valley supporting the fundraiser for Alexis.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_36908" align="alignleft" width="335"] Pat O'Sullivan Flesk Valley having completed a 21km row for Alexis.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_36907" align="alignleft" width="394"] Mike Fleming Flesk Valley having completed the 21km row for Alexis.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_36905" align="alignleft" width="639"] Tom McGillicuddy having completed the 21km row for Alexis.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_36940" align="alignleft" width="262"] Timmy O'Donoghue and his wife Nicola having completed 21k row for Alexis. [/caption]
[caption id="attachment_36901" align="alignleft" width="207"] Tadhg Kelly, Flesk Valley Senior Coach and Rowing for Alexis organiser, pictured with Cuán and Carolena.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_36900" align="alignleft" width="469"] Michael O'Sullivan, Flesk Valley Rowing for Alexis.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_36899" align="alignleft" width="375"] Peter O'Sullivan, Flesk Valley, Rowing for Alexis.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_36898" align="alignleft" width="359"] Colm O Súilleabháin, Flesk Valley Treasurer and underage coach rowing for Alexis. [/caption]
[caption id="attachment_36897" align="alignleft" width="375"] 'Old dog for the hard road' Ger Sweeney rowing for Alexis.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_36896" align="alignleft" width="432"] Padraig Monsoon supported by his son Eoin rowing for Alexis. [/caption]
[caption id="attachment_36902" align="alignleft" width="323"] Donal Kelly Flesk Valley Rowing for Alexis organiser and underage coach. [/caption]
[caption id="attachment_36906" align="alignleft" width="430"] Conor O'Callaghan Flesk Valley showing his support for Alexis having completed the 21km row.[/caption]
Taoiseach makes historic first visit to Beaufort schools
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin made a historic visit to St Francis Special School and St Mary’s of the Angels on Wednesday afternoon, marking the first time a serving Taoiseach has visited either Beaufort facility.
The visit followed a recent Dáil invitation extended by Kerry Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill, who accompanied the Taoiseach alongside local Councillor Tommy Cahill. During the tour, the Taoiseach met with management, staff, residents, and families to observe the services firsthand and discuss operational challenges.
Both Michael and Tommy Cahill welcomed the visit, emphasizing the campus’s potential to become a super respite centre of excellence for children and adults with profound disabilities.
“This was a truly historic occasion,” Deputy Cahill said. “The Taoiseach had the opportunity to see the excellent facilities on the campus first-hand and, importantly, to hear directly about the challenges and concerns they face. There is huge potential here to further develop respite and enhanced services.”
Councillor Tommy Cahill added that the visit was a significant day for service users and staff. He confirmed ongoing engagement with government departments, St John of God, the HSE, and local stakeholders to ensure the site’s full potential is realised.
Taoiseach makes historic first visit to Beaufort schools
Taoiseach makes historic first visit to Beaufort schools An Taoiseach Micheál Martin made a historic visit to St Francis Special...
Dunloe Hotel plans staff accommodation amid local rental crisis
The severe accommodation pressures facing the local hospitality sector have been laid bare this week as Killarney Hotels Limited lodged...
Polish hiking pilgrimage heading for Carrauntoohil
Polish hiking pilgrimage heading for Carrauntoohil A 27-strong Polish hiking group left Dublin on Monday to begin a three-week, 500km...
Historic tractor run stops in Killarney
Wicklow farmer Michael Keegan made a memorable stop at Killarney’s World Ploughing Monument on Friday during his 690km ‘Miles of...
Flora and fauna celebrated during Heritage Week
Flora and fauna celebrated during Heritage Week Chris Barron and Tara Buckley from the Killarney National Park Education Centre led...
Fossa Swimmers make a splash at County Finals
The Fossa Swim team pictured at the Tralee Sports Complex following their successful outing at the County Finals of the...
On the Ball Part 2 of the Mikey Daly Interview
Éamonn Fitzgerald EF: Killarney Celtic are invited to participate in an Irish competition. That has big financial implications for travel,...
LUKE MANGAN recently caught up with Kerry FC’s manager, Colin Healy.
He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager. Here’s how it went: When you began your...
Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic
Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1) Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell Saturday 7.30pm Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre...
Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan
After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork...
