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Firies GAA plan biggest fundraiser in 10 years

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7 years ago

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BIG FUNDRAISER: Firies GAA are holding their biggest fundraiser in 10 years. Pictured were: Brendan Spring (Secretary), James O'Sullivan (Chairman), Jerome Crowley, Liam Fell, Ger Foley and Kevin Cronin.

By Michelle Crean

Firies GAA are embarking on their biggest fundraising drive in 10 years – to help develop new sports facilities.

The club are appealing to the residents of Firies, Ballyhar and Farranfore as they begin a six-month fundraising ‘Club 600 Draw’ which will have a prize fund of €19,000.

The club has already purchased lands but now needs to fund the development of a second training facility in Ballinvarrig, close to Firies Village.

The move comes as there’s huge pressure to meet the increasing demand with growing numbers that require access to training facilities and the playing pitch in Pairc Eamon in Farranfore.

“The club currently caters for boys and girl’s teams from U6 upwards in football and also our ever-expanding hurling teams,” PRO, James Daly, told the Killarney Advertiser.

“Community Games and the Farranfore Maine Valley Athletic Club also use our facilities in Farranfore and St. Anne's Basketball Club use the Sports Hall in Farranfore during the basketball season.”

He explained that the development of these facilities will allow greater access to training time for all club teams.

“It is also envisaged to install a walking track with low level lighting around the perimeter of the facilities for all members of the community to use. As the site contains a portion of the Old Molahiffe Railway we are working in conjunction with Kerry County Council to develop this amenity.

He added that they’re appealing to the parish diaspora who are spread far and wide who might like to contribute to this development.

Cost of draw entry is €20 a month over six months.

“There are different payment options for your convenience to enter the draw. A €5 Standing Order for 20 weeks, €100 one-off payment or €20 a month for the six months.” The first draw will take place next Wednesday, August 7 at 10pm in Henderson’s Bar, Firies.
Any interested individuals/businesses can contact any club member for tickets, email secretary.firies.kerry@gaa.ie or pro.firies.kerry@gaa.ie or contact us on Facebook or ring 087 2998231, he added.

“Together with the help of the parish and the diaspora we can develop these recreational facilities for the benefit of this generation and many more to come in the future.”

 

 

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Sinn Féin to host public meeting on cost of living at Killarney Heights Hotel

Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty will host a public meeting on the costs of living and housing crises at the Killarney Heights Hotel on Thursday, May 28 at 8pm. […]

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12 hours ago

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25 May 2026

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Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty will host a public meeting on the costs of living and housing crises at the Killarney Heights Hotel on Thursday, May 28 at 8pm.

The Donegal TD will be joined by Kerry TD Pa Daly to discuss the economic pressures facing local households and the policy changes needed to provide financial relief. The main focus of the evening will center on the barriers preventing local people from buying their own homes, alongside broader costs of living challenges.
Speaking exclusively to the Killarney Advertiser ahead of his visit, Deputy Doherty said workers and families across Kerry are being squeezed from every direction by rising weekly shops, high energy bills, increasing insurance premiums, and substantial housing costs.
“Young people are losing hope that they will ever own a home in the county where they were raised,” Deputy Doherty said. “And while all of this is happening, the government is sitting on billions in budget surpluses while telling struggling families to wait. It is simply not good enough.”
The Sinn Féin finance spokesperson highlighted specific regional factors making the crisis acute in County Kerry, particularly regarding home heating costs.
“Almost 59% of homes in Kerry rely on home heating oil, which is nearly double the state average of 34%,” he said. “That means families across the county are far more exposed to soaring fuel costs than households in many other parts of the state. Yet the government withdrew supports that were helping households keep the lights on and heat their homes.”
Deputy Doherty noted that the housing situation in Kerry has moved beyond a social issue and is now impacting the local economy and communities. He pointed to figures showing average rents in the county have reached €1,493 per month, with exceptionally low market availability.
“At the time of writing, there were only 27 properties available online to rent across the entire county. Only 19 were below €2,000 a month and just five were available for less than €1,500. A county the size of Kerry, and only five rental properties affordable to someone on an ordinary income,” he said.
He also raised concerns for first-time buyers, noting that average house prices in Kerry have climbed to €296,000, representing an increase of €33,500 in a single year.
During the meeting, the Sinn Féin representatives will outline their party’s alternative proposals. These include a state-led program of affordable home building, a ban on excessive rent increases, enhanced protections for renters, and immediate energy credits and tax relief for workers.
“The resources exist to do this,” Deputy Doherty added. “The government’s own figures show billions in surplus funds available to the state. The issue is not a lack of money. The issue is political choice.”
The meeting is open to all members of the public, and a discussion session will follow the main presentations.

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National Park hosts weekend Bioblitz for National Biodiversity Week

Killarney National Park is taking centre stage for the final weekend of National Biodiversity Week, with the public being urged to get outdoor and explore the local environment. Today, Friday, […]

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14 hours ago

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25 May 2026

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Killarney National Park is taking centre stage for the final weekend of National Biodiversity Week, with the public being urged to get outdoor and explore the local environment.

Today, Friday, May 22, marks the UN International Day for Biological Diversity, and a series of free events will run across the park until the national celebration concludes this Sunday, May 24.
The highlight of the weekend is the Killarney National Park Bioblitz. This event brings families, nature lovers, and community volunteers together to find, identify, and record as many different plant and animal species as possible across the park’s diverse habitats over the next three days.
Christopher O’Sullivan, Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, encouraged locals and visitors alike to utiliSe the final days of the festival to experience the area’s unique wildlife, referencing Killarney’s native habitats as key areas the state is working to protect.
Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), noted that the week is designed to remind people that native plants, woodlands, and rivers are vital systems that make life possible. OrganiSers are encouraging anyone in the locality to head out to Killarney National Park before Sunday evening to participate in the species count and support local conservation efforts.

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