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Fans preparing for Ireland’s biggest Star Wars Festival

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The May the 4th Be With You Festival - first launched in 2018 by Fáilte Ireland - is returning to The Skellig Coast region after two years of being hosted virtually.

The festival, which will kick off on Wednesday May 4 at The Skellig Experience Visitor Centre and will run until Sunday May 8, was created to celebrate the filming of the Star Wars film franchise on Skellig Michael.

'The Force Awakens Episode VII' and 'The Last Jedi Episode VIII' both featured the iconic Skellig Islands where it was known as Ahch-To Island, effectively the centre of the Jedi Universe. The Star Wars connection to the Skellig Coast remains very strong and in 2019 the festival welcomed fans from all over the world who visited this beautiful region and enjoyed a weekend full of various events including Virtual Reality, Yoda Yoga, Star Wars Parade and much more.

A team of local volunteers, together with Fáilte Ireland and the 501st Ireland Garrison have continued to bring this festival to Star Wars fans virtually over the past two years due to ongoing restrictions and are delighted to be able to launch the in-person event once again on May 4.

This year’s festival will see the launch of an exciting Star Wars Fan Film Competition. Along with the competition, the event will also feature a Star Wars Treasure Trail, Comic-Con event, Quizzes, Dark Skies night-time events and so much more. There will also be events running online throughout the weekend.

“It is fantastic to see this festival return to an in-person event for 2022," local volunteer Lisa O’Sullivan, said. "It provides visitors the opportunity to explore The Skellig Coast region and all it has to offer."

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Tadhg Fleming to lead Team Jack and Jill in Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle

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Tadhg Fleming to lead Team Jack and Jill in Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle


Comedian and content creator Tadhg Fleming will lead the charge for Team Jack and Jill this summer, taking on the 170km Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle on Saturday, July 4.


The annual event, which starts and finishes in Killarney, raises vital funds for charities across Ireland. This year, Fleming is urging cyclists of all abilities to join him in raising money to support the 504 Jack and Jill families nationwide, including 14 families currently receiving care in County Kerry.
“It’s a sin this Kerry man hasn’t done the Ring of Kerry yet, but it’s about time I did it,” Fleming said. “I’m absolutely delighted to be taking it on for Jack and Jill, a charity very close to our hearts. Dad Derry has done it a few times and told me it’s a piece of cake, so we’ll soon find out about that.”
The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation provides critical in-home nursing care and respite support for children up to the age of seven who live with severe learning disabilities and complex medical needs.
Among those benefiting from the service is Tralee mother Anna Walsh. Her youngest daughter, Róisín, lives with Angelman syndrome, a rare neurogenetic condition.
“Jack and Jill has made such a difference to our family life,” Walsh said. “The hours of in-home nursing care we receive mean I’m able to work, which is massively important for our family. It gives us breathing space, practical support, and reassurance when things are overwhelming.”
Registration is now open for participants looking to secure a place on the team. Those who sign up to cycle for the charity will receive fundraising support, specialized training plans from Coral Leisure personal trainers, and an official Jack and Jill cycling jersey.
Cyclists can register to join Team Jack and Jill online at https://www.ringofkerrycycle.ie/our-charities/jack-jill-foundation/

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100-year-old fire tender beautifully restored 

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Billy Spring from Milltown with his restored Merryweather Hatfield Trailer Pump Fire Tender which was in service by Killarney Fire Brigade from it’s purchase in 1926 up until the 1960’s,Billy purchased it in 1994,he carried out the restoration on it from 2008 to 2026.This Appliance was particularly suited for duties as the town was composed of a lot of narrow lanes and congested areas where a regular pump couid not gain access.Photo by Michael G Kenny

A piece of Killarney’s municipal history has been painstakingly brought back to life following an extensive restoration project by Milltown resident Billy Spring.

The rare machine served as a frontline tender for the Killarney Fire Brigade for four decades, spanning from the 1920s through to the 1960s. Having survived a century, the machine required a monumental amount of skilled craftsmanship to reverse decades of wear and return it to its former glory.

Now fully restored, this unique piece of local heritage offers a rare glimpse into the early days of emergency services in the region.

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