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Over €70k donated to three charities

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CHALLENGE CHEQUE: The 54321 Challenge 2019 raised €72,506 for three Kerry charities. Front from left are: Caroline Lynch, Denis Daly (Skellig Stars) Maura O'Sullivan (Kerry Hospice Foundation), Frank Heidtke (Dingle Coast and Cliff Rescue Service), and Maggie Teahan. Seated in second row from left are: Audrey Graham, TJ O'Connor, Tony Dunne and Catherine Foley. Standing at back row from left are: Ann Foley, Diarmuid Foley, John Falvey, Martin McCarthy, John O'Donoghue, Declan Sheehan, Maureen O'Sullivan Dennehy, Cian Higgins, Anne McCarthy, Michael Foley, Irene Heffernan and Pat Sullivan. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

 

It was yet again a mighty challenge but it was worth it as a whopping €72,506 was this week handed over to three Kerry charities.

On Saturday last, participants who took part in this year’s 54321 Challenge met in The Victoria House Hotel to present a cheque to this year’s selected charities; Skellig Stars, The Kerry Hospice and Dingle Coast and Cliff Rescue Service. This brings the amount raised to date by the 54321 Challenge to €206,712 for various Kerry charities.

This year’s 54321 Challenge took place from the August 22 – 25 with 37 people, the largest number of participants since the Challenge was started. It began from the GAA grounds in Killorglin and they cycled around the Ring of Kerry on day one.

This would exhaust most people but not these, as they were up early again the following day, travelled to the base of Carrauntoohil, and climbed Ireland’s highest mountain.

“The conditions on the day were challenging but the heads never went down,” one of the organisers, TJ O’Connor, said.

Having returned safe and sound from Friday’s challenge, on Saturday they once again took to the bicycles and cycled from Killarney to the foot of Mount Brandon and climbed it, the persistent rain throughout the climb did not dampen the spirits of this amazing bunch of people, they even sang a few songs and danced a set when they reached the top.

The challengers spent a welcome night in Dingle before embarking on the final day which was a cycle from Dingle to finish where it all started in Killarney where they received a hero’s welcome at the Gleneagle Hotel where supporters of all three charities gathered to welcome them home, followed by well-deserved drinks and pizzas at Kayne’s Bistro.

“It was a weekend of bonding, banter, singing, struggles, laughs but most of all a great sense of achievement in completing the challenge on a personal level and for three great causes for all the participants,” he added.

“On behalf of the Skellig Stars, The Kerry Hospice and Dingle Coast and Cliff Rescue Service and the 54321 Challenge team we would like to say thank you to all those who have sponsored and supported us along the way.”

The date for next year’s event will be confirmed shortly and they will be recruiting teams so if you would like to be part of next year’s Challenge or would like further information please call the event organisers Carole Moran on 087 9471336 or TJ O’Connor on 087 6277141.

Follow them on Facebook: 54321challenge or visit www.54321challenge.org.

 

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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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