News
Jamie reaches new heights in less than 24 hours

By Michelle Crean
Taking on a four day physical challenge is a massive undertaking but one team member went a little further and completed it in under 24 hours.
Jamie O’Shea from Dromid is one of the organisers of the 54321 four-day Challenge where 50 members took part from last Thursday to Sunday.
But Jamie decided to bring the challenge to new heights and test the theory that it can be done in 24 hours.
He had previously completed the challenge over the four days, but knocked it out of the park by completing it in just 22 hours and 15 mins!
Jamie started at 3pm on Saturday with his backup team by cycling the Ring of Kerry, climbing Carrauntoohil in the dark by torchlight, then cycling on to Cahersiveen in the dark and then climbing Cnoc na dTobar to see the sun rise. He then joined the rest of the 54321 Challenge team on the Sunday morning to complete the fourth day to finish in Killorglin. Jamie decided to fundraise specifically for Skellig Stars Athletics Club which is very close to his heart.
The 54321 Challenge started 10 years ago with a team of five people over four days, completing three cycles, and climbing two mountains for one cause – a local charity.
Testament to the popularity of the event is the fact that over 80% of this year’s participants had completed the challenge previously over the first nine years; with some who have not missed a year since its commencement in 2013. But as always the new participants added a new lease of life and added to the 54321 Challenge experience, which is predominately all about people who are doing it, those supporting them and the people involved in the charities we are trying to raise much needed funds to support.
FUNDRAISING
"The aim of the 54321 Challenge this year was to raise €100,000 and to date the fundraising is at approx. €60,000, so please get behind us and give what you can to help us reach our optimistic target," Tony Dunne from the 54321 Challenge said.
"The 10 Kerry charities to benefit are The Irish Pilgrimage Trust, Kerry Hospice, Comfort for Chemo Kerry, ADAPT Kerry, Skellig Stars, Cystic Fibrosis Kerry, Sera Husky, HeartBeat Killarney, Alannah and Polly’s Fight for Sight and Scoil Iognaid Ris.
A major contributor to this year’s fundraising efforts were a number of Spinathon Days where this year`s participants, volunteers from all the charities, family and friends took the streets in different locations including Killarney, on spinning bikes. The final one will be in Tralee tomorrow (Saturday).
"Thanks to everyone who made these Spinathons possible, to all the volunteers, and thanks to all the members of the public who gave their support and generous donations, and finally yet importantly thanks to An Garda Síochána and especially James Foley for his help with the organisation of the Spinathons," he said.
On behalf of all the charities and the 54321 Challenge team we would like to say thank you to all those who have sponsored to date and supported us along the way and ask you to give the 54321 Challenge participants and the selected Kerry charities one last and final push to reach our €100,000 goal."
To get a true sense of the magic of the event: Follow us on Facebook at (6) 54321 Challenge | Facebook or visit www.54321challenge.org.
To donate go to GoFundMe: 54321 Challenge - 10 Years On.
News
Start clocking up those ‘Kingdom Kilometres’
With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways. The recently opened […]

With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways.
The recently opened Kingdom of Kerry Greenways between Tralee and Fenit and between Listowel and Abbeyfeale are already proving hugely popular with locals and visitors to Kerry.
Representatives of the tourism Industry, local public representatives, travel writers and influencers gathered in Kerry on Monday to experience the exciting new tourist attractions and welcome the arrival of the longer daylight hours as the clocks changed over to summertime.
Sarah Hanrahan, a social media influencer who posts about Irish travel and has more than 100,000 Instagram followers, described the experience.
“Ireland has some of the most amazing outdoor spaces. For a lot of my followers and other people, connecting with green spaces has become much more important to their overall sense of well-being as well as their health and fitness. It’s been really gorgeous to experience the Tralee to Fenit, and Listowel to Limerick Kingdom of Kerry Greenways; a fantastic trip sampling the warm hospitality of Kerry and a great reminder of the active holiday options that are right on our doorstep.”
The new purpose-built trails provide an accessible and inclusive experience for visitors of all abilities.
Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy and the Mayor of Listowel, Cllr Aoife Thornton, said that the greenways offer an exceptional recreational amenity for everyone to enjoy.
“The greenways are situated in some of Kerry’s most scenic landscapes and offer spectacular and safe off-road facilities for people of all ages to enjoy as the landscape comes into bloom. They also offer warm hospitality at the trail head towns of each route.”
Visit www.kerrygreenways.ie to find out more.
News
St Patrick’s Day parade winners announced
Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club has won the sought-after overall award in recognition of their colourful and action-packed entry to this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney. Delighted […]

Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club has won the sought-after overall award in recognition of their colourful and action-packed entry to this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney.
Delighted club representatives were presented with the Seán O’Keeffe Perpetual Trophy – in memory of the former Mayor of Killarney and parade stalwart – at a gala presentation of prizes in the International Hotel, Killarney on Tuesday night.
The award for the Best Interpretation of the Theme, which was Killarney: Experience More, went to the Wander Wild Festival who received the Michael Courtney Perpetual Trophy which is dedicated to the memory of another former mayor of the town who spearheaded the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations for many years.
The John ‘Killer’ O’Callaghan Perpetual Trophy for the Best Sporting Entry was won by Killarney Athletic AFC and the Peter Irwin Memorial Trophy for the Best Marching Group and Cultural/Arts Entry went to Millstreet Pipe Band.
The Best Sports Club was Spa GAA, the Best Children’s Group prize was won by Kilcummin Comhaltas and the Best New Entry was Killarney Rugby Football Club.
There was an international flavour to the Best Musical Entry which was scooped by the Glenridge High School Marching Band from New Jersey.
The prize for the Best Voluntary Group went to the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club, the Best School Award went to the Fiona Crowley Stage School and the Best Activity Group was deemed to be Scorchers Cheerleading Club.
The Most Entertaining Entry went to the Killarney Tidy Towns group, the prize for the Most Original Entry was won by Liebherr Container Cranes and the Most Imaginative Entry in the parade was the Art House, Killarney.
The Most Stylish Entry prize was awarded to the Ukrainian community whose representative said they were delighted to play a part in Ireland’s national holiday and thanked the people of Killarney for the warm welcome they have received.
Other prizes presented on the night included the Best Window Display which went to Christy Healy’s on New Street who were celebrating 100 years in business on St Patrick’s Day, while the Europe Hotel and Resort won the Best Green-Themed Building prize.
The judges for the parade were Br Pat Lynch, Guardian, Franciscan Friary, Pam Brosnan, Killarney Musical Society and Denis McMahon.
The awards were presented by Killarney St Patrick’s Festival Chairman Paul Sherry, Mayor of Killarney Cllr Niall Kelleher, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Senior Executive Bridget O’Keeffe, and parade grand marshal Cathal P Walshe.
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