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Glorious weather for Kerry County Coastal Rowing championships

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3 years ago

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John Fleming and Tadgh Kelly getting Flesk Valley RC crew ready at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein Killarney National Park hosted by Flesk Rowing Club Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

It was a day of glorious sunshine yesterday (Sunday) as Flesk Valley Rowing Club hosted the 2022 Kerry County Coastal Rowing championships for the very first time in beautiful Castlelough Bay on Lough Lein.

PUSHING THE BOAT OUT: Colm Ó' Súilleabháin Flesk Valley Rowing Club helping out at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Flesk Valley Rowing Club Killarney competing at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

STARTERS ORDERS: Under starters orders at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein Killarney National Park hosted by Flesk Rowing Club Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

READY: Mary B Teahan calling boats and crews to their lines at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein Killarney National Park Hosted by Flesk Rowing Club Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Denis O'Donoghue Templemore RC with his crew at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

ON THE WATER: Rounding the bouy at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Action at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein Hosted by Flesk Rowing Club Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

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LUNCH: Gillian O'Neill and Donal Kelly Flesk Valley RC after delivering lunch to safety crews at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein Killarney National Park hosted by Flesk Rowing Club Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Kieran Counihan calling the strokes for Workmen's Rowing Club Killarney competing at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Fossa Rowing Club competing at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

COMPETING: Blathnáid O'Connell Flesk Valley Rowing Club competing in the U12 race hosted by Flesk Rowing Club Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

PUSHING THE BOAT OUT: Colm Ó Súilleabháin Flesk Valley Rowing Club helping out at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Tadgh Kelly and Gillian O'Neill organising members of the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein Killarney National Park hosted by Flesk Rowing Club Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Seamie Morrissey getting ready for his daughter Siún's race in the U12 Girls at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Templenoe Rowing Club ready for action at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

SAFETY FIRST: Timmy Counihan guarding the shores at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

HEAVE: Sive Rowing Club Cahersiveen in action at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

U12s at the start line at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta hosted by Flesk Rowing Club on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

PUPPY LOVE: William Wharton and Mia McCormack taking great care of their friends puppy at the Kerry Coastal Rowing Regatta on Lough Lein hosted by Flesk Rowing Club Killarney on Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

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Hundreds flocked to the Valley shore to see the coastal clubs of Kerry race in crews from Under 12 to Masters. As well as clubs from around the Ring of Kerry, there was a strong representation from the Killarney clubs with the Workmen, Commercials and Fossa wearing their colours with pride. The atmosphere, colour, fun and fierce competition produced a spectacular day that will live long in the memory.

The event was opened by the Councillor John O’Donoghue, vice chair of the Killarney Municipal District who congratulated Flesk Valley on their centenary, which occurred during 1920, and wished all of the clubs a successful day’s racing.

The first race was preceded by a special blessing of the boats by Fr Eugene McGillycuddy, who also remembered Brendan Teahan of Cromane Rowing Club in his prayers.

Afterwards John Fleming, chair of Flesk Valley, expressed his immense pride and satisfaction with the success of the regatta.

“It’s our first time ever hosting a regatta, but we wanted to do something special to mark our 102 years in existence," he said.

"It was a lot of work, but we have a fantastic hard-working committee in Flesk Valley who really pulled out all the stops to make it happen, and we received fantastic support from our members, parents, other clubs and local businesses."

John also thanked the Kerry Coastal Rowing Association, in particular Mary B Teahan and Andrew Wharton, and the staff of the Killarney National Park for all their support and encouragement in hosting this event.

This was a qualifying event and the Kerry clubs will be heading to Wexford next weekend to complete for honours at the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships.

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Gleneagle Concert Band cast in major Hollywood Film

  Members of The Gleneagle Concert Band have been cast in a major Hollywood movie currently filming in West Cork. The WWII biopic is inspired by Hollywood legend James Stewart’s […]

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9 hours ago

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14 October 2025

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Members of The Gleneagle Concert Band have been cast in a major Hollywood movie currently filming in West Cork.

The WWII biopic is inspired by Hollywood legend James Stewart’s life, highlighting his time as a combat pilot after putting his entertainment career on hold to join the U.S. Army Air Corps.
It’s set to be the biggest film production filmed in Ireland this year, with a U.S. release scheduled for November 2026.

Band Musical Director Vincent Condon said the opportunity came about through a mix of curiosity and perfect timing.

“I read that a major film was being shot in West Cork and got in touch to see if they needed a band. Wartime movies often feature military bands, and they were delighted that I reached out. The film required an all-male band under 25, which is historically accurate. Filming took place at the start of October, and it was a fantastic experience for everyone involved.”

Band Manager Ciaran Lynch described the experience as unforgettable.

“The band was excellent. We did everything asked of us with no fuss, and it was amazing to see how a major movie comes together. In a year or so, we’ll be able to sit in the cinema with our families and point to the screen saying, ‘We were part of that!’”

This latest experience follows the band’s highly successful summer tour to Seville and Gibraltar, where they performed alongside the Midleton Concert Band beneath Seville’s spectacular Las Setas structure. The trip marked the band’s eighth international tour, continuing a proud tradition of representing Killarney abroad.

With opportunities ranging from international tours to movie sets, the Gleneagle Concert Band continues to give its members unique and creative musical experiences both at home and overseas.

Anyone interested in joining the band or enrolling for instrumental lessons is encouraged to get in touch on 087 222 9513.

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Local schools launch initiative to promote healthy technology use for children

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9 hours ago

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14 October 2025

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Holy Family NS Rathmore, Raheen NS, Meentogues NS and Shrone NS have teamed up with three other schools on the Cork side of the border to launch an innovative project called Agree to Agree.


This is a community wide effort to help families navigate the challenge of children and technology.


The initiative encourages parents of primary school pupils to make a voluntary pledge around healthy technology use at home.


For younger pupils, this includes keeping children smartphone-free, following age-appropriate guidelines for games and apps, and staying off social media during primary school years.


For older pupils who may already own phones / devices, the project suggests practical steps such as reducing screen time, keeping phones out of bedrooms, avoiding age-inappropriate apps, and learning about digital citizenship and online safety.


In the coming weeks, children will bring home information packs and families will have the chance to sign the voluntary agreement. Two parent webinars are already scheduled for October 26 and February 26.


This Pilot was funded by the Department of Education and Skills under the then Minister of Education and Skills – Norma Foley TD. Schools were invited to participate through Tralee Education Support Centre Director, Terry O’Sullivan.


The other participating schools are Ballydesmond NS, Kiskeam NS, and Knocknagree NS.

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