News
Over €100k raised for 10 deserving charities

By Michelle Crean
The aim of this year's 54321 Challenge was to raise €100,000 and delighted organisers have exceeded that by €270!

CHEQUES: A number of cheques were given to charities from the 54321 Challenge. Pictured front l-r were: TJ O’Connor Orla O’Sullivan (Cystic Fibrosis) Caroline Danaher Alannah Foley (Alannah and Polly’s Fight for Sight) and Carol Moran. Back l-r were: Denis Daly Mary Fitzgerald (Comfort for Chemo) Kathleen Sheehy (ADAPT) Mary Horgan (Comfort for Chemo) Anne McCarthy Maura Sullivan (Kerry Hospice) ?????? (HeartBeat Killarney) Eoghan O’Grady (The Irish Pilgrimage Trust) Noreen Sheahan and Tomás Crowley (ADAPT).

CHEQUES: A number of cheques were given to charities from the 54321 Challenge. Pictured front l-r were: TJ O’Connor Orla O’Sullivan (Cystic Fibrosis) Caroline Danaher Alannah Foley (Alannah and Polly’s Fight for Sight) and Carol Moran. Back l-r were: Denis Daly Mary Fitzgerald (Comfort for Chemo) Kathleen Sheehy (ADAPT) Mary Horgan (Comfort for Chemo) Anne McCarthy Maura Sullivan (Kerry Hospice) ?????? (HeartBeat Killarney) Eoghan O’Grady (The Irish Pilgrimage Trust) Noreen Sheahan and Tomás Crowley (ADAPT).
It was an amazing feat for the 50 participants who, over four days, completed three cycles, and climbed two mountains for local deserving charities in August. It brings the total raised to date by the Challenge to €400,250 supporting a number of very deserving Kerry charities over the years
The 54321 Challenge committee and participants came back together again on Friday night at Francie Sheahans in Killorglin to present the cheques to the 10 charities; The Irish Pilgrimage Trust, Kerry Hospice, Comfort for Chemo Kerry, ADAPT Kerry, Skellig Stars, Cystic Fibrosis Kerry, Sera Huskey, HeartBeat Killarney, Alannah and Polly’s Fight for Sight and Scoil Iognaid Ris Dingle.
Over 80% of this year’s participants had completed the challenge previously over the first nine years but a new participant added a fresh lease of life completed the entire challenge in just 22.5 hours.
Jamie O’Shea from Dromid, who had previously completed the challenge over four days, was elated when he knocked it out of the park.
A major contributor to this year’s fundraising efforts were a number of Spinathon Days including Killarney.
"On behalf of this year's 10 Kerry charities and the 54321 Challenge team, we would like to say thank you to all those who have sponsored and supported us along the way," , TJ O'Connor said.
“If the last few years has taught us anything, it is to be thankful for what we have, our health is our wealth, and the power of people working together can get us through some of the most difficult situations."
He also added that spending four days with such positive and enthusiastic people should be prescribed by doctors, as their positive energy was infectious and great for the heart and soul.
News
Street Orienteering added to Wander Wild programme
By Sean Moriarty A new event has been added to the extensive Wander Wild Festival next weekend. Kerry Orienteers will run a family-friendly Urban Orienteering event as part of the […]

By Sean Moriarty
A new event has been added to the extensive Wander Wild Festival next weekend.
Kerry Orienteers will run a family-friendly Urban Orienteering event as part of the festival on March 25.
Participants can start at the Killarney Plaza Hotel Basecamp anytime from 2-4pm on Saturday.
Orienteering is an exciting outdoor adventure sport which involves walking or running whilst navigating around a course using a detailed map and sometimes a compass. And the Wander Wild Street Orienteering will have courses suitable for all ages and abilities.
“The aim is to navigate in sequence between a set of control points and decide the best route to complete the course in the quickest time. It does not matter how young, old or fit you are, as you can run, walk or jog the course and progress at your own pace. If you need any help or tips members of Kerry Orienteering Club will be available to assist during the day,” said organiser Brendan O’Brien.
Two routes are available: ‘Wander’ – 2km (easy, wheelchair and buggy accessible) and Wild – 4km (moderate), and bookings can be made via: https://t.ly/jHm2R.
News
Quiz helps to fund Easter pilgrimage
A popular annual table quiz, which raises funds to send Kerry children and young adults with special needs to Lourdes, will be held in Killarney next week. The Tim Moore […]

A popular annual table quiz, which raises funds to send Kerry children and young adults with special needs to Lourdes, will be held in Killarney next week.
The Tim Moore Memorial Table Quiz will be held in the Gleneagle Hotel at 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 29.
The entry fee for tables of four is €40 and it is €20 for teams of four schoolchildren with great prizes up for grabs on the night.
All proceeds will go to the Irish Pilgrimage Trust which organises trips to Lourdes every Easter for children and young adults with additional needs.
They will be brought on the pilgrimage on Easter Sunday and all the volunteer helpers and medical staff that will accompany them will cover for their own travel costs.
The annual quiz, which is running for close on 30 years, is dedicated to the memory of the late Killarney accountant Tim Moore who was a tireless campaigner for the Irish Pilgrimage Trust. He passed away, suddenly, in 2002 and his friends have continued the quiz as a tribute to his legacy and to ensure the charity continues to be supported.
It hasn’t been held for the past two years due to the pandemic but all involved are thrilled that it is back for 2023.
Kieran Coffey, the retired principal of Fossa National School, is one of those who spearhead the Kerry pilgrimage to Lourdes and he has appealed to the public to support the very important fundraiser which helps offset some of the costs involved.
“We are delighted to be in a position to continue Tim’s great work and to dedicate the quiz to him. The event is always so well supported by the people of the greater Killarney area and we greatly appreciate that generosity,” said Kieran.