RALLY: Michael Fassbender pictured with Cormac Casey (Event Coordinator, Killarney Advertiser and KC Print), Dermot Healy (Clerk of the Course), Eileen O’Donoghue (Killarney Municipal District Area Officer), Nicola Aherne (cartell.ie), Jonathan McCluskey (cartell.ie), Diarmuid Cronin (KDMC Chairman), Patrick O’Donoghue (Gleneagle Group Managing Director), Paul Sherry (Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce President), Paul Nagle, Barry Goodman, Noelle, Evan and Isaac Casey, Mike Moriarty, Diarmuid Lynch, Ger Neeson, Tadgh O'Sullivan, Todd and Peter Falvey, Mike Buckley, Orla and Aoife Griffin. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

By Michelle Crean

Hollywood star and Oscar nominated Michael Fassbender is all set for this year’s Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes - after stopping home to Kerry at the weekend.
The Killarney native is delighted to be part of this year’s special 40th anniversary event, which takes place in three weeks-time over the May Bank Holiday weekend - after being invited to become an ambassador for the rally by Cormac Casey, owner of the Killarney Advertiser and KC Print, 12 months ago.
And Fassbender’s participation is certainly grabbing the headlines in recent weeks, as the actor has twice flown back to Killarney for promotional days with Killarney District and Motor Club (KDMC).
Dermot Healy, Clerk of the Course, this week said that it’s very exciting to have Michael on board this year as it’s generating plenty of positive interest in the event.
“We approached Michael in April last year and he was very excited about getting involved in the sport,” Dermot told the Killarney Advertiser this week.
“Further conversations with him led to his actual participation in the event. I’m delighted that we’ve been able to make this opportunity happen for this event. Hopefully we’ll have an enjoyable weekend of motorsport.”
A promotional day on Saturday, hosted by KDMC, which took place at the Gleneagle Hotel, Molls Gap and Killarney Racecourse, provided cars ranging from a Porsche 911, two Ford Escort Mk2s and a Ford Puma S1600.
The Porsche is of particular interest to Michael as he is currently driving with the German marque in the Porsche 911 Cup series.
“The objective was to increase the profile of the event and this is working very well with the community. We got a huge amount of support from the community which we are very grateful for. Hopefully we’ll see Michael on many iconic stages in Killarney in years to come.”
Dermot Healy and his team are expecting a large entry at this year’s event.
“Interest from overseas is a welcome return with the introduction of an Irish Rallying first Lakes Rallyfest Ireland category. Pre-1990 cars will compete in the event reflecting the “Golden Era” of rallying. It promises to be a major crowd pleaser,” he said.
Cormac added that he’s delighted to be a part of this year’s event.
“The Killarney Advertiser is delighted to be an associated sponsor for this year’s event particularly this year for its 40th year,” he said.

[caption id="attachment_25429" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] PRESENTATION: Paula Bartlett making a special presentation to Michael Fassbender at Killarney Racecourse in recognition of his participation in the Cartell.ie Rally of the Lakes 2019. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan[/caption]