Connect with us

News

Killarney Sanctuary Runners set to launch

Published

on

RUNNING GROUP: Michael O’Riordan is inviting the public to a community meeting to launch 'Sanctuary Runners' Killarney tomorrow evening (Tuesday). Photo: Michelle Crean

By Sean Moriarty

 

Running enthusiasts who would like to join an organisation that extends friendship, via running, to people in Direct Provision are invited to attend a public meeting.

 

The Sanctuary Runners, who encourage Irish people to run alongside, and in solidarity with those in Direct Provision, bringing greater awareness to the system in which asylum seekers live, will meet tomorrow (Tuesday) night, at the John Paul II Pastoral Centre on Rock Road.

 

Sanctuary Runners was officially launched in Dublin last November where they partake in regular 5k runs in Clondalkin.

 

Mike O’Riordan is a member of Killarney Valley Athletic Club and participates in the Parkruns in Muckross every Saturday. He has arranged for Sanctuary Runners founder, Glenbeigh man, Graham Clifford to launch the initiative in Kerry.

 

Graham was inspired to launch Sanctuary Runners after witnessing a solidarity-inspired initiative which brought together 200 runners, spanning 40 different nationalities for last June’s Cork City Marathon.

 

“After the success of the marathon in Cork we decided it was important to set up similar groups across the country,” Grahamsaid. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from those in Dublin and already have 80 Irish runners signed up to run with us here when they can.”

 

Mike O’Riordan, who formerly worked with the Killarney Asylum Seekers Initiative (KASI) will coordinate the Killarney Sanctuary Runners.

 

“Whether you run every week or haven’t run for years this movement will welcome you just the same,” Mike said.“Many of the people who will run with us from Direct Provision won’t have taken part in physical exercise for a long time and often the energy and motivation required to do it can be low. You don’t have to run, you can jog a little or just walk too. So together we hope to use this healthy, fun initiative to get people fit again, to put smiles on faces, to bring people together and to show what a caring, compassionate and welcoming town Killarney really is.”

 

 

Advertisement

News

Spa GAA and Kerry Parents & Friends secure energy grant funding

Spa GAA and the Kerry Parents & Friends Association are among the Kerry organisations to benefit from the SE Systems Community Fund Programme 2025. Both groups have been announced as […]

Published

on

Spa GAA and the Kerry Parents & Friends Association are among the Kerry organisations to benefit from the SE Systems Community Fund Programme 2025.

Both groups have been announced as successful applicants for the national energy grant funding scheme, which supports community and sports organisations in delivering sustainable, energy-efficient projects that help reduce running costs.
The fund, launched in 2022, provides financial assistance, technical resources, and expert guidance to not-for-profit organisations working to improve energy efficiency and sustainability.
For Spa GAA, the funding will go towards a full insulation retrofit of the club’s Sports Hall and Clubhouse, as well as upgrading existing floodlights to new energy-efficient LED fittings. The project follows the installation of a Solar PV system earlier this year, continuing the club’s move toward greater energy conservation.
Speaking at the official funding announcement in Cork, James Cahill of Spa GAA thanked SE Systems “for supporting the power of sport and recreation to bring people together, promote healthy lifestyles and build connections in the community.”
Spa GAA has also been selected as one of three clubs nationally to feature in SE Systems’ print media campaign promoting the Community Fund.

Continue Reading

News

All eyes down as St Oliver’s hosts bumper bingo fundraiser

It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night. The event, which is being held […]

Published

on

It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night.

The event, which is being held to raise additional funds for the school’s Special Classes, will take place in the Killarney Racecourse in the Celtic Steps venue.

According to Colm Ó Súilleabháin, Principal of St Oliver’s, the idea for the fundraiser was the brainchild of Denise Hendey, a parent of one of the children in the Special Classes who approached the school wanting to assist with raising much-needed funds for the classes. “She has been utterly amazing with the amount of work and organisation she has put into this event, sourcing an incredible number of fantastic prizes for the raffle and spot prizes for the bingo winners” he said.
Continuing he said “We are so appreciative of the incredible support we have received from all the businesses who have sponsored some amazing prizes and made very generous donations in support of the event.”

St. Oliver’s has eight separate Special Classes, home to 62 children. All monies raised on the night will go towards purchasing additional resources for the classes.

The event will commence at 7pm with doors opening at 6pm. So be sure to come along to what is promised to be a fun-filled night with numerous opportunities to win some amazing prizes and hopefully if there is a ‘knock on the door’ or a ‘bang on the drum’ it will be on your bingo card!

Bingo books (€10) and raffle tickets (€5) are available to buy from the school office and will be available on the night. All welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport