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James O'Donoghue launches the Paddy Turner Memorial Walk.

KERRY and Legion sharpshooter James O’Donoghue was on hand on Killarney’s High Street this evening to help unveil details of the first-ever Paddy Turner Memorial Walk.
The event is being organised in honour of popular Killarney man Paddy Turner, who died last year, and it will take place on Saturday, April 23. “As Paddy loved to walk every day, it is fitting that the people who knew him so well are now walking in his memory,” said organiser Enda Walshe.
For the launch, friends of Paddy gathered at 6pm this evening at the bench erected in his memory at the top of High Street.
Registration will be in the Killarney Avenue Hotel at 10.15am on April 23 and the walk itself will proceed along Mission Road, entering the demesne area at the Deenagh Bridge entrance and continuing through Killarney National Park following the route of the Circular Walk (a total of 5km).
The registration fee is a minimum donation of €10 with proceeds to go to two local charities.
One of these is the Killarney Men’s Shed which is a dedicated, friendly and welcoming meeting place where men come together and undertake a variety of mutually agreed activities. “The facility is open to all men regardless of age, background or ability. It is a place where you can share your skills and knowledge with others, learn new skills and develop your old skills,” said Enda.
“New members are always welcome and can be assured that there is something of interest for everyone as the men have ownership of their Shed and projects and decide their own program of events. An objective of Men’s Sheds is to enhance or maintain the well-being of the participating men.”
In addition, the Killarney branch of the Kerry Mental Health Association will benefit. For many years, the association has been supporting people with mental health problems through social housing, befriending, recreational programmes, holidays, breaks for carers, transport and the provision of occupational therapy and IT equipment. The KMHA also advocates on behalf of people with mental health problems and their families and carers.
“Both these deserving charities are housed in the same complex on the site of the old Ross Products Factory on Upper Lewis Road, just a stone’s throw away from where Paddy lived,” said Enda.
“Huge thanks to Jean Courtney of Killarney Valley Athletics and Pat Dawson of the National Parks & Wildlife Service for their cooperation in facilitating the walk and also to the Gardaí for their assistance.”
 

 
Kerry and Legion football star James O’Donoghue launches the Paddy Turner Memorial Walk.