News
Over 19,000 hits on Ian’s first podcast
B
By Darragh Doolan
Killarney teenager Ian O’Connell has taken his message to a whole new level - by starting a podcast on YouTube.
At just over 16 minutes long, the first episode of ‘Be Yourself’ has reached almost 20,000 views on the site since it was uploaded just two weeks ago.
“It’s a weird feeling when you fall, and you go to get up and you can’t,” he says in his podcast.
Ian describes the day of his accident and the aftermath in great detail, but it is his continuous positive response that draws so many people to listen to his message. For example, he tells of an experience during his time in the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dublin, when told by a nurse that “I don’t want to be saying this, but you know you’re not going to get movement back after your injury”. His response - “I felt like telling her to eff off, but I just smiled and said ‘watch me’”.
Over the last 18 months, Ian has been inspiring people of all ages with his messages of positivity, in particular his “if you can’t stand up, stand out” attitude. Since his cycling accident in August 2017 that resulted to injuries to his spine, Ian has been interviewed on local radio, met the likes of UFC star Conor McGregor and even made an appearance on RTÉ’s ‘Late Late Show’. Wherever he goes, Ian’s attitude towards his situation and positive outlook on life has resonated with many people in Kerry and beyond.
The first episode of Ian O’Connell’s ‘Be Yourself’ is available on his YouTube channel under the video name BE/YOUR/SELF EP 1.
News
Parnell commemorated in Beaufort on 125th Anniversary of Land League meeting
A special ceremony was held in Beaufort to mark the 125th anniversary of Charles Stewart Parnell’s historic visit to the village in 1880, when the Irish nationalist leader addressed thousands […]
News
St Pauls sign American Maisie Burnham
Killarney’s Utility Trust St Pauls women’s basketball team has announced the signing of American player Maisie Burnham for the upcoming 2025/2026 season. The club, who performed strongly in the latter […]