News
Hundreds support Killarney’s Good Friday Walks

By Michelle Crean
Over 700 registered walkers turned out to support the annual 5k and 10k Kerry Hospice Good Friday Walks.

THREE TWO ONE... GO! Athletic Ambassador Sarah Leahy pictured at Muckross Centre on Good Friday where over 700 registered walkers completed either 5k or 10k walks in aid of Kerry Hospice and in remembrance of the late Sheila (Mac) Kelliher and the late Vivien O'Shea. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Pat Doolan Chairperson and organiser of the Kerry Hospice Good Friday 5k and10k Walk in remembrance of the late Sheila (Mac) Kelliher & Vivien O'Shea gets the show on the road at Muckross Gardens. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Half way to Dinis Cottage from Muckross House on Good Friday taking part in the Kerry Hospice Walk from l-r were: Elizabeth Stack Ann Kelliher Brid Stack Sheila McGillicuddy Ellen McGillicuddy Mary Forde and Noreen McGillicuddy. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Ambassador for the Kerry Hospice Good Friday Walk in remembrance of the late Sheila (Mac) Kelliher and Vivien O'Shea (second from right) Athlete Sarah Leahy pictured at Muckross Gardens & Restaurant with her dad Mike Leahy (left) mom Marie (centre) &and Noreen McGillicuddy (right) sister of the late Sheila Kelliher. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Pictured on Bricín Bridge on Good Friday taking part in the Kerry Hospice Walk were: Ruby Courtney Geraldine Courtney Lily Courtney and Sinead Byrne with their dog Bobby. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Taking part in the Kerry Hospice Walk on Good Friday front row l-r were: Alice Pierce Jessica Pierce Gemma Leahy and Darren Leahy. Back row l-r were: Jenna Pierce Clare Leahy and Maureen Fogarty. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Back at base having completed the 10k walking option for the Kerry Hospice Walk on Good Friday were Mary O'Shea (left) and Lil O'Doherty (right). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

READY FOR ROAD : Walkers David Rae (left) and Mossie Cremin (right) pictured at Muckross Garden Centre for the Kerry Hospice Good Friday Walk. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Team Kerry Hospice from l-r were: Pat Doolan (Chairperson) Edel Reen Phyllis O'Sullivan Athletic Ambassador Sarah Leahy Julett Culloty and Cathal Walshe. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

THREE TWO ONE... GO! Athletic Ambassador Sarah Leahy pictured at Muckross Centre on Good Friday where over 700 registered walkers completed either 5k or 10k walks in aid of Kerry Hospice and in remembrance of the late Sheila (Mac) Kelliher and the late Vivien O'Shea. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Pat Doolan Chairperson and organiser of the Kerry Hospice Good Friday 5k and10k Walk in remembrance of the late Sheila (Mac) Kelliher & Vivien O'Shea gets the show on the road at Muckross Gardens. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Half way to Dinis Cottage from Muckross House on Good Friday taking part in the Kerry Hospice Walk from l-r were: Elizabeth Stack Ann Kelliher Brid Stack Sheila McGillicuddy Ellen McGillicuddy Mary Forde and Noreen McGillicuddy. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Ambassador for the Kerry Hospice Good Friday Walk in remembrance of the late Sheila (Mac) Kelliher and Vivien O'Shea (second from right) Athlete Sarah Leahy pictured at Muckross Gardens & Restaurant with her dad Mike Leahy (left) mom Marie (centre) &and Noreen McGillicuddy (right) sister of the late Sheila Kelliher. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Pictured on Bricín Bridge on Good Friday taking part in the Kerry Hospice Walk were: Ruby Courtney Geraldine Courtney Lily Courtney and Sinead Byrne with their dog Bobby. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Taking part in the Kerry Hospice Walk on Good Friday front row l-r were: Alice Pierce Jessica Pierce Gemma Leahy and Darren Leahy. Back row l-r were: Jenna Pierce Clare Leahy and Maureen Fogarty. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Back at base having completed the 10k walking option for the Kerry Hospice Walk on Good Friday were Mary O'Shea (left) and Lil O'Doherty (right). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

READY FOR ROAD : Walkers David Rae (left) and Mossie Cremin (right) pictured at Muckross Garden Centre for the Kerry Hospice Good Friday Walk. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Team Kerry Hospice from l-r were: Pat Doolan (Chairperson) Edel Reen Phyllis O'Sullivan Athletic Ambassador Sarah Leahy Julett Culloty and Cathal Walshe. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
It's a long held annual tradition around Muckross in memory of two amazing Killarney ladies, Sheila (Mac) Kelliher and Vivien O'Shea.
Athletic Ambassador Sarah Leahy cut the ribbon and the walks began at 10.30am.
"It was a great testament to two wonderful ladies to see people turn out in their hundreds. There were many that didn't register but made donations also whom we are most grateful to. There was a great atmosphere amongst the family and friends of Sheila and Vivien and the weather played ball giving us sunshine and a cool breeze which was ideal for walking," Cathal Walshe said.
News
Fassbender ready for second Le Mans appearance
Local Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender is in the final preparation stages for his second appearance at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. The iconic endurance race is celebrating its […]

Local Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender is in the final preparation stages for his second appearance at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The iconic endurance race is celebrating its 100th edition next weekend.
The Fossa star has already arrived in the famous French twon where he is involved in a week-long series of engagements including drivers’ parades, autograph sessions and more serious appointments like car safety checks, practice and qualifying.
Like last year, when he finished 16th in the LMGTE Am class, Fassbender has been entered in to the event by the German Proton Competition team with Estonian Martin Rump and the Austrian Richard Lietz.
Fassbender dreams of following the trajectory of fellow Hollywood actors Patrick Dempsey who was second in LMGTE Am class in 2016 and Paul Newman who finished second overall in 1979.
News
Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections
Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]

Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.
Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.
The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.
Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.
Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.
She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.
“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”
In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.
In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.
last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History – Irish Life and Lore’.
During the broadcast she talked about her parents’ membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.
This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.