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Over 10,000 to cycle at 35th Ring of Kerry

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The Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle is celebrating 35 years as Ireland’s largest one-day charity fundraising event. Taking place on Saturday, July 7, registration for the charity cycle will open on March 10 and the event is expected to see 10,000 recreational cyclists take part, with a small number of locals readying their High Nelly vintage bikes for the cycle again this year.

Cyclists signing up to complete the scenic 175 km fun cycle will be raising money for 14 carefully selected main beneficiary charities this year and choosing one to fundraise for. 30 additional charities associated with the event are also allocated funds from the registration proceeds. Funds raised to date have contributed towards new hospital extensions, special needs facilities, care for the elderly, suicide prevention, sea and mountain rescue, cancer, kidney, end of life support and more.

The main beneficiary charities chosen this year has expanded from 10 to 14 to include national charities such as Pieta House, the Irish Kidney Association and Enable Ireland, all of whom do compelling work for communities across Munster and Ireland.

The 2018 Main Beneficiary Charities can be categorised into disability support services, cancer and family support services and community as follows:

Disability Support Services

  • Buy a Bus Campaign - Kerry Parent & Friends Association
  • Down Syndrome Ireland
  • Enable Ireland
  • Irish Kidney Association
  • St Mary of the Angels (intellectual disability residential care)

Cancer & Family Support Services

  • Breakthrough Cancer Research
  • Bru Columbanus (family accommodation for seriously ill)
  • Kerry Hospice Foundation

Community Care

  • Baile Mhuire
  • Caherciveen Social Services
  • Irish Community Rapid Response
  • KDYS (helping young people reach their potential by equipping them to become stronger and more resilient with skills which last a lifetime)
  • Pieta House
  • St Joseph’s Home, Killorglin

“With 35 years of experience behind us, our goal for 2018 is to help people make the most of their achievements by creating a fun and inclusive event and giving them more choice in charities to support,” said Tony Daly, Chairman of the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle. “Our main beneficiary charities have expanded this year from 10 to 14 and include national and local charities who do great work in the communities but need our help to continue. We are looking forward to welcoming all 14 charities, our many cyclists and invaluable volunteers in July to celebrate 35 years of the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle.”

The registration fee for 2018 is €100 plus a 3.5% service fee. Cyclists can choose to fundraise for their selected charity through an online fundraising page with Everyday Hero or sponsorship cards. Cyclists can pre-order their official Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle jerseys at registration.

“There are many great projects and initiatives which will benefit from funds raised and if you choose to fundraise, every euro will go directly to your chosen charity,” added Cathal Walshe, PRO of the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle. “Registrations will take place on a first come, first served basis and we are encouraging all participants to keep an eye on our social channels for regular updates including preparation tips and how your fundraising efforts are positively affecting the charities involved.”

Registration for this years event on the opens at 8am tomorrow (Saturday) on the cycle website. When registering, cyclists will have a opportunity to select a charity to cycle for by clicking the appropriate button. Having done so one can then opt to request a sponsorship card or alternatively make online donation through EveryDayHero.

The process is straightforward, much like booking a concert/airline ticket. So make sure to get in and register.

For more information see:

Website - www.ringofkerrycycle.ie

Facebook - @RingofKerryCharityCycle

Instagram - @RingofKerryCycle

Twitter - @RingOKerryCycle

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New St author brings Fitzgerald’s story to life

Talented Killarney author Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, who has penned a fascinating book on the life and times of The Great Gatsby writer F Scott Fitzgerald, has said there is strong […]

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Talented Killarney author Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, who has penned a fascinating book on the life and times of The Great Gatsby writer F Scott Fitzgerald, has said there is strong anecdotal evidence that the great American wordsmith had Kerry roots.

There has been suggestions that Fitzgerald’s family can traced to Horse Island off Ballinskelligs and research is ongoing to determine if the famous novelist, essayist and short story writer gave any indication of his Kerry connection during his lifetime.
Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, formerly of New Street, Killarney and now residing in Beaufort, is the author of Gatsby: Death of an Irishman which was released in March to coincide with the 100th anniversary of publication of Fitzgerald’s most famous work.
O’Sullivan Greene’s research found that Fitzgerald (1896-1940) was initially deeply ashamed of his Irish connection but his views softened when he took an interest in revolutionary politics.
The Killarney man’s book guides the reader through F Scott Fitzgerald’s troubled upbringing, his quest for status, his ambivalence towards his Irish heritage, the socio-political climate of early 20th-century America and the careless jazz era excesses portrayed in The Great Gatsby.
The book peels back the intricate layers of Fitzgerald’s character, revealing the underlying themes of identity and self-rejection in his work, his shifting views of Irish issues and how his personal battles influenced his writing and contributed to his tragic life.
Patrick O’Sullivan Greene will deliver what promises to be an engaging talk on the life and times of F Scott Fitzgerald in the ANAM Arts and Cultural Centre in Killarney on Thursday, July 3 at 6.45pm.
Part of the Celebration of Irish and American Friendship programme, the free lecture is titled Revolution, Rejection and Revival and it will mark a celebration of 100 years of The Great Gatsby.
The event will also include a glamorous 1920’s dance spectacular, tuition on how to dance the Charleston and a live performance by Killarney’s own Liberace, Jack Patrick Healy. The master of ceremonies for the event will be Radio Kerry’s Brendan Fuller.
The author will also share the story of how F Scott Fitzgerald’s grandson, Thomas Manhan, came to Ireland to learn Irish following his graduation in 1964.

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U2’s The Edge among new Irish Citizens

U2 guitarist The Edge, whose real name is David Howell-Evans, was among over 7,500 people granted Irish citizenship this week at the INEC. The ceremonies took place on Monday and […]

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U2 guitarist The Edge, whose real name is David Howell-Evans, was among over 7,500 people granted Irish citizenship this week at the INEC.

The ceremonies took place on Monday and Tuesday this week
Applicants from over 143 countries and across all 32 counties on the island of Ireland are making a declaration of fidelity and loyalty to the State to become Irish citizens.
Seven ceremonies were held over the two days. Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, is joined by Minister of State for Migration, Colm Brophy, and Minister of State for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice, Niall Collins.
“Today’s ceremony was very moving, the room was full of so many people, everyone from different backgrounds, with different stories. It was a privilege to be a part of it and to experience the collective joy as we all became citizens together. I moved to Ireland with my parents as a baby, so it’s not a stretch to say that this is long overdue! I have always felt Irish, Ireland will always be home to me and I’m so grateful for that,” said The Edge.
Ahead of the ceremonies, Minister O’Callaghan said:: “This ceremony marks an important milestone in the lives of those receiving Irish citizenship. For each new citizen it signifies a deep connection to Ireland, its values, and its people. Ireland welcomes our new citizens as full members of society, and their contributions will undoubtedly strengthen the fabric of our nation. I encourage all new citizens to continue to actively engage in their communities so that, together, we can build a thriving society.”
Minister Brophy congratulated the new citizens, adding: “Migration plays an essential role in Ireland’s development. It strengthens our economy, enriches our cultural diversity, and deepens our sense of solidarity. We are proud to welcome each new citizen as valued members of our communities.”
Judge Paddy McMahon was the Presiding Officer for the ceremonies. administered the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State, where new citizens commit to observing Irish laws and respecting its democratic values.
The Citizenship Division has seen a significant increase in applications, processing over 20,000 in 2023 and nearly 31,000 in 2024, up from around 12,000 annually just over two years ago.

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