Well known Musician and Fundraiser Derry Healy along with friends, will once again hit the trails of Kerry, to raise money for a fantastic cause.

This time you are cordially invited to trek the Old Kenmare Road with the one and only Sam Maguire on December 27, departing Torc Upper Car Park, at 9.30 am .

This year the chosen charity is Kerry Mountain Rescue Team, inspired by Killarney Man James Cahill, who says he owes his life to Kerry Mountain Rescue Team following an horrendous fall on Bothar na Gíge (the Zig Zags) while descending Carrauntoohil in July 2016.

James is so grateful for the courageous team for saving his life and wants to give back to the team, while having some fun along the way.

Derry and his crew will carry the coveted piece of silver along the 17 km trek, with a few stops to play music and have “a set dance around Sam”.

One definite stop is the newly restored sheep shed, or locally called ‘the red rose cafe’ at Eskamucky Glen.
The estimated time of trekking is approximately 6 hrs. For those who just want to walk as far as Derrycunnihy Church – own transport must be organised. A return bus from Kenmare to Killarney will be organised.

James had been hiking with his friend John Joe Culloty and took a heavy fall after weather conditions deteriorated on the mountain range. He knew his situation was grave when the ICG helicopter Rescue 115 was overhead. James was treated at the scene by KMRT and airlifted to Kerry University Hospital by ICG Rescue 115. James sustained horrific injuries that left him paralysed on his right side. That followed several months of treatment at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire, with constant support from his wife Carmel and their families.

Kerry Mountain Rescue Team is entirely voluntary, with 35 active team members from all walks of life,
The operation covers the entire SW of the country, a registered charity at least 50% of their funding is raised through private donations and the Team’s own fundraising efforts.

The team train regularly in a range of disciplines such as casualty care, technical rope-work: horizontal and vertical stretcher lowers, cableways, strop rescues, hoists, helicopter winching, search management, navigation, radio communication and 4WD techniques.

All team members are qualified to Advanced Rescue Emergency Care (REC) First Aid Level, and first Aid training is undertaken on a regular basis to ensure that the skills of each team member are continually maintained, and the most up-to-date developments in emergency medicine are utilised.

For further information contact: Derry Healy: 087 2707899 or James Cahill: 087 6473291.

Kerry Airport has received €1.4 million in funding to support payroll costs across air traffic control, fire services and security screening.

In total, €4 million in Exchequer funding is being allocated to Ireland West, Donegal and Kerry airports under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025.

The announcement has been welcomed by Kerry TDs Michael Cahill, Danny Healy-Rae, Michael Healy-Rae and Norma Foley.

The announced funding is in addition to the €7.8 million in capital supports announced for the same airports earlier this year.

Overall, passenger traffic across these airports from January to end September this year has increased by 11% when compared with the same period last year.

The Chief Financial Officer at Kerry Airport, Basil Sheerin, extended his appreciation to the Minister for Transport and Kerry politicians for their steadfast support.

He said: “The funding provided for both operational and capital expenditure has been critical to delivering investment in our electric vehicle fleet, green energy initiatives, security infrastructure, and ongoing runway maintenance. hese are commitments to a sustainable and secure future.”

Minister Darragh O’Brien said while today’s announcement marks the last round of funding under the current programme, the Government is committed to investing in regional airports and will create a new programme for 2026-2030.

Meanwhile, more than 7 million Ryanair passengers have travelled through Kerry Airport since the airline began operating there in 1989.

Ryanair’s Director of Communications, Jade Kirwan, welcomed the significant milestone saying it “showcases Ryanair’s continued support and investment in the region.”

Ms Kirwan called on the government to continue supporting regional airports by expanding the scope of the Regional Airports Programme 2026-30 to at least 3m passengers per annum which she says would allow regional airports to grow traffic without being penalised for doing so.

This winter, Ryanair is operating 58 weekly flights across 5 routes to/from Kerry Airport, including city break destinations like Frankfurt, Manchester, and London.

Kerry Airport recently underwent a massive refurbishment, with a new arrivals hall unveiled earlier this month.

It was officially opened by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin.