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Motor club pays respect to “faithful colleague”

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Members of Killarney and District Motor Club paid a fitting tribute to their late colleague Mike Falvey who was laid to rest in Churchtown Cemetery yesterday afternoon (Thursday).

Mike passed away last week following a sudden illness.

Mike held many roles in the club and was particularly active if a rally route passed his native Beaufort, Churchtown or Shanera areas.

He is best remembered for his role as a member of the arrowing or stage-set up crew on either the Rally of the Lakes or the Killarney Historic Rally.

“Growing up on the Churchtown stage of the Rally of the Lakes, it was inevitable that Mike and his brothers would become involved in rallying and while Diarmuid and Donal went on to become well known and successful co-drivers, Mike concentrated on the many tasks behind the scenes, without which any rally cannot happen,” said a club tribute statement.

“Mike, following in the footsteps of his first cousin, Podge Moriarty, initially came into the Rally of the Lakes team to take on one of the most difficult, but crucial, roles in any rally, namely the erection of the arrows and other stage signage along the rally route.”

It was a job he took on with unprecedented professionalism and dedication – as he would have said himself: “If it’s worth doing at all it is worth doing right and if you cannot do it right, just leave it after you.”

With his motto firmly at the forefront of club members’ minds, KDMC gave Mike the send-off he deserved.

Over 50 members of the club lined the road from his father Jerry’s house in Cappaganeen to St Mary’s Church Beaufort.

The road from St Mary’s to his final resting place at Churchtown Cemetery was laid out in the same style as a rally stage, each junction correctly numbered and perfectly arrowed as if Mike had done the job himself. Each location was marshalled by members of the club or neighbouring clubs in recognition of his work as Chief Marshall for the Rally of the Lakes.

“Mike’s sudden and unexpected departure at the age of 46 has shocked and saddened all who knew him and has brought home to all of us in KDMC the importance of the role which Mike played during his years as a valued member of both the Rally of the Lakes and the Historic Rally Teams,” added the club statement.

His funeral cortege, which was led by his Citroen van, decked in official rally stage set-up door-panels and driven by his brother John, was another tribute to a man who had done so much for the club over the years.

“It was great to see Killarney and District Motor Club come out in force to show their respects to one of the club’s faithful colleagues,” said Dermot Healy who was one of the organisers of Thursday’s marks of respect. “Over 50 members lined the road from his dad’s house to St Mary’s Church.”

Mike will be missed by his daughter Chloe father Jerry his partner Tanya, brothers John, Diarmuid and Donal, sisters-in-law Siobhán, Máiread and Kelly, nieces, nephew, aunts, cousins, neighbours and many close friends.

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Proinsias says farewell to Gaelscoil after 33 years

By Michelle Crean For over three decades one face has been constant at Gaelscoil Faithleann but today (Friday) it all changes as the school’s first and only Principal to date […]

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By Michelle Crean

For over three decades one face has been constant at Gaelscoil Faithleann but today (Friday) it all changes as the school’s first and only Principal to date says a fond farewell.

It’s a day full of mixed emotions for Proinsias Mac Curtain who was appointed the school’s Principal on September 1, 1989.

Today, the school’s 245 children and staff will host a number of events at the school for him which are sure to stir a few emotions.

It follows a special Mass on Innisfallen Island on Saturday morning as 150 children, staff members, parents council and Board of Management members boarded a boat for the occasion. And the location was apt as the school is called after the island, Proinsias explained to the Killarney Advertiser.

“It was lovely, it was meaningful as the school is called after Innisfallen Island. I’ve been blessed with the school community down through the years. It was a pleasure to work with school staff and parents, Boards of Management – but the most important is the children. I’m proud of them and their achievements. They are great children and I’ll miss them.”

He said the school will be in great hands as Lisa Ni Iarlaithe, who has been at the school since 1991, takes over as Principal.

He also praised the hardworking staff.

“I’ll miss it but I’m comfortable to step back as the school is in excellent hands.”

Proinsias is originally from Tournafulla Co Limerick. He began his career as a teacher in Scoil Iognáid in the centre of Galway city, the largest Gaelscoil in the country at the time.

Shortly before he died his father Jerry, who loved to holiday for a few days a year in Killarney, had heard of a new school opening here and phoned Proinsias to tell him. The rest they say is history.

He says his love of Irish language was inspired by Tournafulla Primary School Principal Liam O Loineacháin and in St Ita’s College Abbeyfeale by Jim Tierney and the late Johnny Nelligan.

And although three decades is a long time, Proinsias says it flew by and that he has seen many changes over the years. The first is seeing the children of former pupils coming to school. The second is the advancement of technology – some good and some not so good!

“The biggest change was the growth of technology, the changeover to the whiteboard and the use of devices which makes it challenging for parents. It’s wonderful you can access so much, but there are advantages and disadvantages.”

He added a huge thanks to his wife Karen who supported him down through the years when he was out late at meetings, adding that she was “very patient”.

He also thanked Sean O Luanaigh.

“He has been my chairperson since the start and has been such a tremendous support, help and guidance down through the years.”

In retirement he plans to spend more time with his family including his three children Ruadhán, Meadhbh and Cormac.

He also plans to get more involved in Beaufort Tidy Towns as well as the Annals of Innisfallen project.

“It’s always been an interest of mine. I also plan to relax for a few weeks, make more time for family, and I look forward to playing more trad music, bee keeping, gardening and travel.”

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Start clocking up those ‘Kingdom Kilometres’

With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways. The recently opened […]

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With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways.

The recently opened Kingdom of Kerry Greenways between Tralee and Fenit and between Listowel and Abbeyfeale are already proving hugely popular with locals and visitors to Kerry.

Representatives of the tourism Industry, local public representatives, travel writers and influencers gathered in Kerry on Monday to experience the exciting new tourist attractions and welcome the arrival of the longer daylight hours as the clocks changed over to summertime.

Sarah Hanrahan, a social media influencer who posts about Irish travel and has more than 100,000 Instagram followers, described the experience.

“Ireland has some of the most amazing outdoor spaces. For a lot of my followers and other people, connecting with green spaces has become much more important to their overall sense of well-being as well as their health and fitness. It’s been really gorgeous to experience the Tralee to Fenit, and Listowel to Limerick Kingdom of Kerry Greenways; a fantastic trip sampling the warm hospitality of Kerry and a great reminder of the active holiday options that are right on our doorstep.”

The new purpose-built trails provide an accessible and inclusive experience for visitors of all abilities.

Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy and the Mayor of Listowel, Cllr Aoife Thornton, said that the greenways offer an exceptional recreational amenity for everyone to enjoy.

“The greenways are situated in some of Kerry’s most scenic landscapes and offer spectacular and safe off-road facilities for people of all ages to enjoy as the landscape comes into bloom. They also offer warm hospitality at the trail head towns of each route.”

Visit www.kerrygreenways.ie to find out more.

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