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Richie’s half century rowing service rewarded

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By Michelle Crean

For over 50 years one local man has been involved in rowing - and he was rewarded at the weekend for his contribution and dedication.

Flesk Valley Under 18 girls who won bronze medals at the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships held in Wexford at the weekend. From l-r were: Donal Kelly Saoirse Sweeney Danielle O'Shea Eilis Mullane Caoimhe Kelly Paul Burke (Cox) and Colm Kelly (mascot).

Flesk Valley Under 14 boys who won gold and silver at the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships held in Wexford at the weekend. Pictured were: Cormac Flanagan Patrick Mullane Shay McCormack Kai McManus Shane Tomlinson Hubert Sobilo Aodhagán O'Sullivan and Daniel Fennelly.

Flesk Valley Under 16 boys who won silver at the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships held in Wexford at the weekend. Front: Dimitris Charalampakis and Gearoid Sugrue. Back: Jamie Daly Adam Counihan and Mark McCarthy.

Flesk Valley Under 12 girls who won gold at the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships held in Wexford at the weekend. Pictured were: Órlaith O'Sullivan Siun Morrissey Roisin Rea Jennifer Rea and Blathnaid O'Connell.

Flesk Valley Under 12 boys who won gold at the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships held in Wexford at the weekend. From l-r were: Aodhagán O'Sullivan Shane Tomlinson Colm and Colm Óg Ó Súillebháin Daniel Fennelly and Hubert Sobilo.

GOLD: Flesk Valley Pre-Veteran men who won gold at the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships held in Wexford at the weekend. From l-r were: Donal Kelly Colm O Suillebhain Tadhg Kelly (Cox) Ger Sweeney and Peter O'Sullivan.

Richard Leane from Killarney's Flesk Valley Rowing Club, received the accolade from the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation at the weekend’s All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships held in Ferrybank, Co. Wexford.

As an oarsman, cox, administrator, sponsor and supporter, Richie has made an immense contribution to his own club Flesk Valley but also to rowing in Killarney and Kerry, through his involvement with the Killarney Regatta and the Kerry Coastal Rowing Association.

Never one to seek the limelight, Richie is a consistent and unheralded presence behind so many rowing events in Kerry, and you never have to look too far to see the familiar stamp of Leane’s Tool Hire at so many rowing events, Donal Kelly, from Flesk Valley Rowing Club, explained.

"Nothing is ever a problem to Richie, and his easy going and obliging nature means that he can never say no when it comes to anything related to rowing!

"Richie is much-loved and highly regarded in rowing circles, but particularly in Flesk Valley where he has made an incredible contribution to the club in practically every role, and it’s fair to say that the health of the club today is in no small way due to his consistent presence and support over many years. Apart from the many practical things that Richie does for the club, his warmth and good humour are legendary, and there’s always lots of laughter in Richie’s company when the last race has ended.

Many congratulations Richie on this well-deserved honour from all at Flesk Valley Rowing Club!"

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Beaufort Film Night returns with French drama-comedy

Beaufort Film Night will return on Friday (October 17) at Cullina National School, with a screening of the French drama-comedy The Marching Band. The film tells the story of Thibaut, […]

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Beaufort Film Night will return on Friday (October 17) at Cullina National School, with a screening of the French drama-comedy The Marching Band.

The film tells the story of Thibaut, a successful conductor recently diagnosed with leukaemia. A search for a bone marrow donor reveals that he was adopted and has a brother, Jimmy, a cafeteria worker.
The two meet, discover a shared love of music, and form a strong bond through an unexpected collaboration with Jimmy’s workplace band.
The Marching Band (French title En Fanfare) will screen at 8.30pm. Admission is €7, cash only, and will cover the motion picture licence fee.
The film has a 12A rating and is in French with English subtitles.
Beaufort Film Night is a non-profit community group that screens cultural English and international films that usually do not receive general release in Kerry.
The event is supported by Kerry County Council Arts Office and Access Cinema. Cullina National School is providing the venue.
Further details are available on Beaufort Film Night’s Facebook page @BeaufortFilmNight.

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Tributes to Paudie O’Callaghan of the Fáilte Hotel

The town of Killarney and the wider Kerry community have been mourning the loss of Paudie O’Callaghan, who passed away peacefully over the weekend after a long illness. Paudie, pre-deceased by […]

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The town of Killarney and the wider Kerry community have been mourning the loss of Paudie O’Callaghan, who passed away peacefully over the weekend after a long illness.

Paudie, pre-deceased by his father Dermot and his brothers Donal and Dermot, was deeply loved by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Valerie, his daughter Megan, granddaughter Rubie, his mother Eileen, his brothers Michael, Colm, and Niall, sisters-in-law Noreen, Eliza, Carol, and Kathy, and extended family, including nieces, nephews, brothers- and sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours, and friends.
Paudie was widely recognised as a true gentleman and a cornerstone of Killarney’s business and social life. Minister Michael Healy-Rae TD paid personal tribute, saying: “This week brought very sad news with the passing of my great friend, Paudie O’Callaghan. Paudie was one of life’s true gentlemen, full of life, laughter, loyalty, and heart. He was a man who’d do anything for a friend, and I was blessed to count him as my very best. Even in difficult days, Paudie’s strength and spirit never left him.”
Minister Healy-Rae recalled meeting Paudie every Saturday in Killarney, walking the town together, meeting people, and enjoying the simple but meaningful moments that defined their friendship. He also noted the pride Paudie had in becoming a grandfather, a joy that brightened his final weeks.
The Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce also paid tribute to Paudie’s contribution to the town. A statement from the Chamber said: “Paudie O’Callaghan played a very active and progressive role in the business life of Killarney and was always willing to lend a hand and contribute positively to whatever projects the town was engaged with. He spearheaded the Killarney Vintners Association for many years and was a very able and influential representative for that sector. His enormous contribution to the sporting and social life of the town is already well documented, and he contributed hugely to the town he loved in so many ways.”
Paudie reposed at the Fáilte Hotel on Monday evening. The funeral cortège arrived at St Mary’s Cathedral,on Tuesday morning, followed by burial at Aghadoe Lawn Cemetery.
Tributes highlighted Paudie’s warmth, loyalty, and dedication to family, friends, and the Killarney community.
Minister Healy-Rae summed up the sentiment shared by many: “People come and go throughout our lives, but every so often, someone truly special comes along who makes life better just by being part of it. That was Paudie. I’ll miss him dearly.”

Photos by Eamoon Keogh

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