News
Pat is on top of the world

By Sean Moriarty
A Gneeveguilla man realised a life-long ambition by scaling Mount Kilimanjaro in East Africa.
Pat Brosnan retired from his teaching post at Lissivigeen Nnational School in February last year.
Since then he has devoted his new found free time to prepare for the ascent of the highest mountains in Africa.
At 5,895 metres, the fabled mountain is almost six times the height of Carrauntoohil.
The 59-year-old made the summit of Kilimanjaro on February 2 after eight days of climbing and almost one year to the day after he left his teaching career.
He joined a seven-person team that included three Americans and three Canadians, and such were the demands of the ascent only five of the party made it to the top.
An experienced guide helped each day and a separate group of Sherpas transported their camping gear and clothing to each night’s camp site.
“Our guide climbed Kilimanjaro over two hundred times so he knew what he was talking about,” he told the Killarney Advertiser.
Altitude sickness was common amongst members of the group and while Pat did admit to suffering some headaches he said his pre-event preparation helped him cope with the demands of the climb.
“One man was throwing up regularly. Another had to abandon over severe hypothermia,” he said.
He regularly climbed local mountains like Mangerton, Carrauntoohil and Brandon, but the bulk of his training was done in the Glanageenty outdoor amenity near Tralee.
“It was a bucket list dream for me,” he added.
While it took the team eight days to scale the mountain, it took just two to come back down. Each day they went so far up the mountain to get used to the new altitude before dropping back down to camp each night.
“We had no phone coverage for 10 days, it helped us focus on the mountain,” he said.
The last day of the climb was the hardest. They started at 11pm and arrived at the top just before daybreak.
The group had less than 10 minutes to enjoy the sunrise before they started their descent.
Pat thanked his family and friends, especially his wife Mary, for all the support and encouragement over the last 12 months.
News
Killarney twinned with Italian town
By Sean Moriarty It has taken 10 years but the Italian town of Casperia is now an official twin town with Killarney. The idea to twin the picturesque town near […]

By Sean Moriarty
It has taken 10 years but the Italian town of Casperia is now an official twin town with Killarney.
The idea to twin the picturesque town near Rome was first mooted by the old Killarney Town Council.
However, when town councils were discontinued in 2014 the task was handed over to Killarney Town Twining Association and was supported by the elected Killarney Municipal District members of Kerry County Council.
A delegation from the association and the council visited Casperia in 2019 to sign the Italian side of the twining agreement.
The pandemic further delayed the process but on Thursday last Killarney Mayor Niall Kelleher and Casperia Mayor Marco Cusso met to formally sign the charter in Killarney.
“This was honouring a commitment made by the former town council to establish a twinning under European guidelines back in 2014,” said association chairman Sean Counihan.
“Unfortunately the town councils were abolished and Killarney Town Twinning Association pursued the matter.
“We are delighted that the municipal authority saw fit to move the beautiful town of Casperia near Rome from association status to full twinning with Killarney.
“We deeply appreciate the members’ positivity in honouring the former Town Council’s decision.”
The signing between the two mayors took place over the St Patrick’s Festival weekend when Killarney Town Twining Association also welcomed groups from other towns like Pleindfeld in Germany and Concord, North Carolina, USA.
News
Music and fun at Fossa Rambling House
By Sean Moriarty The Fossa Two Mile branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann held its first Rambling House night of music and dance on Saturday night. Their return to the stage […]

By Sean Moriarty
The Fossa Two Mile branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann held its first Rambling House night of music and dance on Saturday night.
Their return to the stage was timed to coincide with the St Patrick’s weekend celebration and also marked the first big event at the Castlerosse Park Resort since it re-opened on Thursday night following its winter break.
As well as a feat of Irish music, dance and poetry, Fossa-based Ukrainians gave performances in their native language too.
“What a great night we had at our CCÉ Rambling House last Saturday night,” Chairman Tim Kissane said.
“There are so many people to thank that we apologise in advance if we miss anybody out. Firstly, to the management and staff Castlerosse Park Resort for hosting our event and the wonderful service they provided.
“To our very talented stalwart musicians Mike Jack, Noreen and Maura who entertained us all so well from start to finish.
“To all our guest performers, from The Racing Pigeons to the Biddy Group and all the singers, musicians and storytellers in between go raibh mile maith agaibh. Special mention to our Ukrainian singers who performed two songs in their native language for us on the night. Thank you to all our members and supporters and to Fear an Tí, Mick Myers agus Bean an Tí, Theresa Kissane who kept the night flowing. Our fireplace display was kindly lent to us by the Beaufort Pioneers and adorned with ‘things of old’ from Brendan O’Sullivan.”
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