A Christmas gathering in memory of Mike Gaine brought friends and rally competitors together at Kenmare Golf Club on January 3, where the first winners of the Carrig Cup were also recognised.

The new trophy was claimed by driver Tommy Randles and co-driver Darragh Lynch, making them the opening names on the cup.

The award will be competed for every six months on both the Killarney Historic Rally and the Rally of the Lakes.

Randles thanked the Gaine family for presenting the trophy and the club members who supported the night.

He said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people and KDMC club members that came to the Kenmare Golf club last night to the Christmas gathering of friends in memory of Mike Gaine and in recognition of the Carrig cup and myself and Darragh Lynch as the first winners it was a great night with rally stories of the past been told until early in the morning I would like to thank Mike Casey and his team of Kenmare golf course for the bar service and food on the night which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone and I would like to wish you all a very happy new year and hope 2026 will be a great year for everyone.”

Co-driver Lynch added:
“The fact that the cup will be won every six months for both the Historic Rally and the Rally of the Lakes means it will have an amazing history to it in a few short years so for myself and Tommy to be the first names on it is special. I’d like to thank the Gaine family for putting forward the cup and the rally community of Kenmare for supporting it so strongly. The cup will keep Mike’s memory safe and strong forever more now and it was great to see such a crowd on the night.”

Residents of Killarney will recognise many familiar faces when Killarney Musical Society stages All Shook Up on February 10, 11 and 12 in the Gleneagle Arena.

The society is marking its 40th anniversary year and is introducing the lead cast members in the weeks before opening night.
Orna Cleary O’Shea plays Mayor Matilda Hyde, a conservative town leader who opposes the arrival of rock and roll. The character tries to keep control as music changes life in the community. Mayor Hyde is protective of her son Dean, played by Jaidon Ward Barrett, and works with Sheriff Earl, played by Conor O’Leary, to maintain order.
Orna has performed with the society since its first production in 1985 and has appeared in every show.
She said she has built her life around the group. “I have been afforded countless unforgettable memories, fabulous friendships, laughter, loss and love, and above all moments that have shaped my life and will treasure forever,” she said.
Her past roles include Eliza Doolittle in ‘My Fair Lady’, Sally Smith in ‘Me and My Girl’, Reno Sweeney in ‘Anything Goes’, Laurie in ‘Oklahoma’, and Mrs Johnstone in ‘Blood Brothers’.
She received an AIMS Best Actress nomination for Oklahoma. In later years she played Maria, Duchess of Derreen in Titanic and Alice Beane in Titanic.
Orna said Killarney Musical Society has been more than theatre. “KMS has been far more than a stage to me, it has been part of my life, a second home filled with laughter, tears, lifelong friendships and memories of a lifetime,” she said.
Tickets are available on Ticketmaster and at the Gleneagle box office.