News
Killarney car enthusiasts committed to helping one of their own
Members of Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club have committed to supporting a fundraising event in Tralee for a fellow car enthusiast.
Members of the Tralee-based Kerry Motor Club are organising a static car show in Tralee town centre next month to raise funds for club member James Quinlan who faces a very difficult medical journey in New York.
James, from Waterville, suffered a major brain haemorrhage on December 19 and remains in the intensive care unit in a Manhattan Hospital.
His family estimates that it will cost more than €250,000, possibly as much as four times that figure, to get James the treatment he needs. A GoFundMe campaign over Christmas raised €80,000 but more funds are urgently needed.
His friends in the Kerry motorsport community are running a series of events over the coming weeks including the car show at the Brandon Car Park in Tralee on February 13.
James, a car mechanic, was a popular member of Kerry Motor Club before he moved to New York around 17 years ago. He could always be relied upon to volunteer for club events and ran his own rally cars on local rallies in the early 2000s.
“He bought his second rally car from me,” explained Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club PRO Tom Leslie. “That is why we have to support this event.”
Kerry Motor Club is asking anyone who owns interesting cars, rally cars, vintage and classic cars or motorcycles, to display their machines at the event in a few weeks’ time.
Members of the public will be invited to view the cars and entry to the event will be by donation to the James Quinlan Recovery Fund.
A series of raffles and spot prizes will also be on offer throughout the day – more side events are also planned to include a 5k walk from the Brandon Car Park along the canal, to Blennerville, and back.
The classic car show will run from around mid-day on February 13 and will take the format of a Cars’N’Coffee style event.
Owner of cars that wish to show off their pride and joy are asked to contact any member of the organising team (numbers listed below) or via a dedicated email: jamesquinlanfund@gmail.com
Kerry Motor Club’s John Liston is a close friend of the Quinlan family.
“We are inviting anyone in Kerry or beyond who owns an interesting car to bring it along on the day, we have secured permission from Tralee Municipal Council to use the car park,” he said. “James faces a long journey, from his current situation to full recovery and we are asking every car enthusiast to come and support us on the day because James would always be the first to support or lend a hand to these kinds of events.”
Committee members are: John Liston: 087 689 8530; Richard Talbot: 087 268 0732; Senan Raggett: 087 259 9657; Ger O’Brien: 087 274 8936; Sean Moriarty: 087 677 1019. Or via email: jamesquinlanfund@gmail.com
Donations to the GoFundMe campaign can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-james-quinlans-journey-to-recovery
Polish hiking pilgrimage heading for Carrauntoohil
A 27-strong Polish hiking group left Dublin on Monday to begin a three-week, 500km trek across Ireland that will conclude in Killarney on September 15.
Organised by NINIWA—the youth ministry branch of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Poland—the ‘Eurotrip: West Coast Ireland’ expedition will see participants trek through the Wicklow Mountains, Mayo, Connemara, the Cliffs of Moher, and Kerry, before completing an ascent of Carrauntoohil.
The group travels “by faith”, carrying all equipment in backpacks without support vehicles or pre-booked accommodation, pitching tents wherever their daily route ends. Daily Mass is offered along the way with prayers dedicated to the young people of Europe.
Originally planned for New Zealand, the route was redirected to Ireland due to Middle East flight disruptions.
The expedition holds major personal significance for team leader Fr Dominik Ochlak OMI, who worked as a carpenter in Killarney before joining the priesthood. This trip marks his final expedition after nine years leading NINIWA’s hiking projects.
“For me, this journey is a return to my roots. I spent a very important chapter of my life in Ireland, in Killarney, where I lived and worked as a carpenter before becoming a priest. You could say that where everything once began, something is now coming to an end,” Fr Ochlak said.
“I truly believe this will be one of the most demanding—and at the same time one of the most beautiful—expeditions in NINIWA’s history,” he added.
NINIWA has run international expeditions for 20 years, with past groups covering 80,000km across 57 countries, including rides to Siberia, Norway, and Jerusalem.
Dunloe Hotel plans staff accommodation amid local rental crisis
The severe accommodation pressures facing the local hospitality sector have been laid bare this week as Killarney Hotels Limited lodged...
Polish hiking pilgrimage heading for Carrauntoohil
Polish hiking pilgrimage heading for Carrauntoohil A 27-strong Polish hiking group left Dublin on Monday to begin a three-week, 500km...
Historic tractor run stops in Killarney
Wicklow farmer Michael Keegan made a memorable stop at Killarney’s World Ploughing Monument on Friday during his 690km ‘Miles of...
Flora and fauna celebrated during Heritage Week
Flora and fauna celebrated during Heritage Week Chris Barron and Tara Buckley from the Killarney National Park Education Centre led...
Models in Recovery returns to Gleneagle
Models in Recovery returns to Gleneagle The annual Models in Recovery Fashion Show returns to the Gleneagle Arena on Wednesday,...
Fossa Swimmers make a splash at County Finals
The Fossa Swim team pictured at the Tralee Sports Complex following their successful outing at the County Finals of the...
On the Ball Part 2 of the Mikey Daly Interview
Éamonn Fitzgerald EF: Killarney Celtic are invited to participate in an Irish competition. That has big financial implications for travel,...
LUKE MANGAN recently caught up with Kerry FC’s manager, Colin Healy.
He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager. Here’s how it went: When you began your...
Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic
Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1) Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell Saturday 7.30pm Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre...
Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan
After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork...
