News
Ian plans to stand out in new radio chat show

By Sean Moriarty
Not only does he love to chat - but he has made it his mission to inspire others since a life-changing accident - so it's no wonder a Killarney man has secured his own radio show.
After completing a media and broadcasting course at Kerry ETB, Ian O’Connell was offered his own Radio Kerry show which will feature Kerry people who have overcome hardship or difficulties to achieve great things.
The Pinewood man was left with a life-changing injury aged 16 after falling from his mountain bike in Killarney National Park in the summer of 2017.
As a result he sustained damage to his neck and spine.
Since then he has used his disability as a form of inspiration and encourages others to get on with life regardless of what is thrown at them.
He has been promoting a well-being lifestyle through his ‘if you can’t stand up, stand out’ mantra.
That is the inspiration for the new show which will be called ‘Stand Out with Ian O’Connell’ and will be broadcast at 8pm every Wednesday from December 1.
“Before my accident I would never have thought of a career in media,” he told the Killarney Advertiser. “I did my work experience at Radio Kerry’s Killarney studio, I could not believe it when Fiona [Stack – Radio Kerry’s manager] called me in, not just to offer me a job but that I was getting my own show too.”
Ian will also work behind the scenes at the radio station. He has already produced and presented short programmes – known as packages in the trade – on topical issues like Fitbit watches and social media influencers.
Meanwhile Killarney man Edward Groves is running a marathon in Mullingar on November 13 to raise funds for the Ian O’Connell Trust. To donate go to GoFundMe: 'Marathon fundraiser in aid of Ian O Connell trust'.