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Mammoth multiple climbs in memory of Tom Griffin

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MEMORIAL CLIMB: Laura Griffin, her boyfriend Luke Stuart-Mills, and Denise Buckley, pictured with family and friends, climbed five mountains in five days in memory of Tom Griffin.

By Michelle Crean

It's the challenge of a lifetime - climbing almost 12,000 feet up five mountains in five days for charity - and it's all in memory of local man Tom Griffin who died at the young age of just 52 years.

Tom's daughter Laura Griffin, her boyfriend Luke Stuart-Mills, and aunt Denise Buckley decided to take on the mammoth challenge 'Following Tom': Memorial Charity Fundraiser as a tribute to him as he was an avid outdoors-man, who loved to walk, hike, swim, and generally adventure in his time off. Sadly Tom died after having a haemorrhage while kite-surfing on his holidays in Portugal in June last year.

On Monday Laura and crew began their first climb up Mangerton Mountain, one of her dad's favourite mountains, followed by Torc on Tuesday. On Wednesday they planned to climb Tomies, but due to difficulties accessing it, they instead climbed just over the equivalent height on Purple Mountain. Yesterday (Thursday) they set up once again and completed Strickeen, and will today (Friday) finish off the whole adventure by completing a climb up Carrauntoohil.

"It's been absolutely fantastic and we've been blessed with the weather," Laura told the Killarney Advertiser yesterday.

"We're trying to commemorate and honour dad's life and picked the mountains he enjoyed doing. Dad was 6ft 2" and had a long stride we had to chase him up the mountain which is why it's called 'Following Tom'. It's one of those things, it's sad but through the sadness we wanted a way to honour him and remember the good times."

Tom was well known in Killarney but relocated to Kildare as he was working as a Senior Manager at Intel.

His wife Michelle is also from Killarney.

Laura has so far raised over €12,000 through a GoFundMe page for Killarney Water Rescue, Kerry Mountain Rescue Team and the Kenya Education Project.

However, she added that there is a glitch which says the funding is at over €15k due to an error when someone donated and the page hasn't yet been updated.

She added a huge thanks to everyone who has donated so far.
"There has been amazing support by everyone, the response has been lovely."

To donate, go to GoFundMe: 'Following Tom': Memorial Charity Fundraiser

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Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

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O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Muckross co-driver Noel O’Sullivan is set for a busy season as he returns to the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) while also preparing for a record-breaking attempt on home soil.

O’Sullivan and driver Callum Devine have signed with the Swedish team JC Raceteknik for a full campaign focused on asphalt events. Their season begins this week at the Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena in Spain. O’Sullivan remains the only Killarney-based co-driver competing at this level for a full season.
He brings significant international experience to the team, having previously worked with WRC driver Jon Armstrong during his early European outings. O’Sullivan and Devine recently proved their pace against top European crews with a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Rali Ceredigion in Wales.
Devine said:
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to the ERC. It’s always great for a driver to compete against Europe’s best on some iconic events. We’ve had great success back home in Ireland over the past few seasons, winning two Irish Tarmac Rally Championships, and we feel now is the right time to come back and take on some ERC events. Starting with Rally Sierra Morena, I’m delighted to be joining JC Raceteknik. I know they are a very professional team with a wealth of experience, and I’m looking forward to working closely with them.”
The European schedule will not interfere with O’Sullivan’s local plans. Following the rally in Spain, the pair will return to Kerry for the Rally of the Lakes over the May Bank Holiday weekend. They are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory in Killarney as they look to move back into the lead of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The move to the European stage follows a successful week for O’Sullivan, who was recently named the International Motorsport winner at the Kerry Sports Star Awards.

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Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June

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Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June


A new heritage motoring event, the Killarney Classic Tour, has been confirmed for June 26–27, 2026. The two-day tour is designed to celebrate the iconic rally stages of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula.


Headquartered at the Gleneagle Hotel, the event is non-competitive and open to a wide range of vintage and historic cars. Organisers are placing a particular focus on period-correct rally cars and recreations that reflect the history of the Circuit of Ireland, the Circuit of Munster, and the early years of the Rally of the Lakes.
The tour is the work of two well-known figures in Irish rallying, Mike Marshall and Micheal O’Mahoney. Marshall, a founding member of the Rally of the Lakes and Clerk of the Course for over 20 years, has designed a route that allows drivers to experience famous stages like Moll’s Gap at a relaxed pace. O’Mahoney, a long-term supporter of the sport through Rentokil and a historic car owner himself, joins Marshall in the venture.

Co-Founder O’Mahoney said:
“This event is about bringing people back together – the cars, the stories, and the friendships that have always been part of rallying. It’s a chance to step away from competition and simply enjoy these roads.”



The Saturday itinerary includes a lunch stop in Castletownbere before the field returns to Killarney for a gala dinner at the Gleneagle Hotel. The evening will feature guest speakers and a focus on the shared history of the sport.
“This event is about bringing people back together — the cars, the stories, and the friendships,” added Micheal O’Mahoney.
Registrations are now open at www.KillarneyClassicTour.ie.

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