News
Lissivigeen school to host Kerry Mountain Rescue fundraiser

Lissivigeen National School and its parent's association are hosting a coffee morning next Tuesday in Aid of the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team.
Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser this week Ciara Lowe of the parents' association said: "As we all know, Kerry Mountain Rescue offer a tremendous service to our wider community. This voluntary service holds a special place in the hearts of all associated with Lissivigeen because their third class teacher Mr. Robert Fell is an active member of the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team."
"They are in the business of rescuing and saving people's lives and often selflessly put themselves in the most dangerous of situations. Their bravery and kindness shows no end and we are very grateful to each and every one of them. It is with this inspiration that led the school to wanting to help raise some much-needed funds."
"Mr Fell has given the pupils an education into how rescue operations play out. Even the callouts at night where he has powered through a sleepless night, he will still turn up and teach the children the following morning."
"This shows the children a selfless way of helping others and the importance of empathy and bravery in human beings. He has shown them the gear, the photos and most recently had the crew call to the school to show them it in real life. As you can imagine the children would be in awe at such an opportunity. The parents' association were thankful to Mick from the Kerry Mountain Rescue who was involved in bringing the van with all their gear to the school last Friday to give a talk to the children. They got to experience it in a real life setting which was truly amazing."
The school has strong links with Kerry Mountain Rescue with many past pupils and parents having volunteered with the team.
The parents association are calling on locals to join them for their coffee morning at the Killarney Oaks Hotel Tuesday next 20th June from 10AM-12PM where there will be plenty tea and coffee, scones biscuits and treats. A raffle will also be held on the day with 100% of the funds raised going to the cause. For any enquiries on the coffee morning please contact Ciara on 0877050185.
Kerry Mountain Rescue are also one of the nominated charity organisations for this year's Ring of Kerry Cycle. With two weeks to go there is still time to dust off those bikes and put yourself up for the challenge if you haven't done so already. Kerry Mountain Rescue are actively looking for cyclists to raise money for their cause. With ever increasing call-out numbers and costings rising rapidly this vital local service needs local support.
News
One of Killarney’s great motorsport legends passes awayBy Cormac Casey
Dermot O’Sullivan, of Ardshanavooly, Killarney, sadly passed away this week. This popular Killarney businessman started in motorsport in 1968 participating in tarmac and forestry rallying and later in hot rod […]

Dermot O’Sullivan, of Ardshanavooly, Killarney, sadly passed away this week.
This popular Killarney businessman started in motorsport in 1968 participating in tarmac and forestry rallying and later in hot rod racing.
A high point in his motorsport career was competing on the 1982 Circuit of Ireland in his Datsun Sunny, at a time when competitors had no pacenotes, relying on sheer wit and skill.
In 2005, after a 23-year gap, he returned to rallying in a Talbot Sunbeam competing in the Killarney Historic Rally with his son Paul in the navigator’s seat, and competed in various events till 2009.
Whenever the glory of days of Kerry rallying are discussed in local pubs during the wee hours, it was certain that Dermot’s name would be mentioned. He had a sideways style of driving that kept every spectator entertained.
As much a flamboyant competitor behind the wheel of his Datsun, his ability to tell a good story was equally entertaining.
As a young motorsport enthusiast, I waited with anticipation each week as Dermot called to the ‘Advertiser’ office in Woodlawn to placing his weekly advert, to hear his animated description of his exploits on the rallying stages. As time went on, the stories never faded, and I always enjoyed our encounters.
Dermot establishing a successful chainsaw and lawnmower business in the 1970’s, down Pawn Office Lane, off High Street, Killarney. In true entrepreneurial spirit he saw a gap in the market, soon after establishing O’Sullivan’s Cycles as one of the first to introduce bike rental to Killarney, a business venture that is still successful today under the guidance of the current O’Sullivan generations.
A true character and an absolute gentleman. May he rest in peace.
Our sincere condolences to wife, Mary, sons Paul, Derry and David, daughters-in-law Barbara, Denise and Fiona, grandchildren Megan, Luke, Kate and Ciara and his great granddaughter Ava, his sisters Breda and Maureen and brother John, brother-in-law Bill, sister-in-law Ann, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours, and many great friends.
News
Kerry’s youth celebrated at the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards
This year’s overall winner of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement is Ryan Griffin from Waterville who was nominated by Mairead O’Sullivan from Killorglin Family Resource Centre. Ryan Griffin […]

This year’s overall winner of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement is Ryan Griffin from Waterville who was nominated by Mairead O’Sullivan from Killorglin Family Resource Centre.
Ryan Griffin is a member of the Skellig Stars and was chosen to represent Kerry at the Special Olympics.
Ryan’s biggest hurdle is communication and he had to overcome this during his trip to Berlin for the big event.
Ryan has overcome his disabilities by focusing on all the great abilities he has. Ryan attends mainstream school in Coláiste na Sceilge where he is a very respected member of the School Community. He is a member of Kerry Stars and also Downs Syndrome Kerry.
Ryan has always had a keen interest in sport and even played with the local team in Waterville, but now Ryan thinks it’s too fast for him so he prefers to cheer them on from the side-lines.
Ryan has always been involved with the Community and they have never left him out. Ryan started out his athletics career with Skellig Stars and without them he would have gone to the Special Olympics and he has never forgotten when he came from.
Ryan and his family are very grateful to the local community in Waterville and the surrounding area for all the support they have given them over the years and especially now with the Special Olympics coming closer.
The whole community from Waterville to Mid-Kerry got behind Ryan, raising funds to help his family go to Berlin for 2 weeks. Ryan is now an inspiration to others to overcome difficulties and “go for gold”.
Ryan was the only representative from Kerry on this years Irish Special Olympics Team and in fact one of the Youngest Athletes on Team Ireland at only 16yrs of age, which was a great honour for him.
This in itself is a great achievement but it also shows his friends at Skellig Stars, Downs Syndrome Kerry and in the wider community that dreams do come true.
It took a lot of hard work and determination on Ryan’s behalf to make these dreams come true, not least the long journey he had to make from South Kerry to Dublin once a month since last January to train for the Special Olympics. He also trained weekly with the Skellig Stars.
At the 2023 Special Olympics in Berlin Ryan took part in the 100m run and the relay but his biggest achievement was winning the Silver Medal in the mini javelin. This showed others that overcoming difficulties can be possible and you can achieve your goals with hard work and determination, which Ryan has in abundance.
Local Merit Awards
Aliza Gul, Killarney
Joey McCarthy, Killarney
John O’Connor, Killarney
Nattagun Ryan, Killarney
Samuel Behal, Killarney
St Brendan’s Choir, Killarney