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Spinathon a boost to 54321 fundraising drive

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6 years ago

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DEDICATED: TJ O'Connor, one of the organisers of the 54321 Challenge, taking part in the spinathon in Killorglin on Saturday last.

 

By Michelle Crean

Three spinathons and four collections took place over the bank holiday weekend to help boost fundraising efforts for this year's 54321 Challenge - with the help of Kerry manager Peter Keane and 'Local Gossip' comedian Bernard Casey.

The charity Challenge has no option but to go back to basics this year with just five participants instead of the usual 50. This means there's a significant drop in funding for the chosen charities so organisers took to the streets of Killorglin, Cahersiveen, Listowel and Dingle on Saturday.

All but Listowel had participants take part in a charity spinathon while volunteers collected funds to help boost the cash flow - and they're planning another fundraising day on Main St in Killarney on August 15, with other venues to be confirmed.

Then it'll be time to take on the enormous task of the Ring of Kerry Cycle on day one on August 20, followed by a climb 3,407 feet up Carrauntoohil on day two, day three the five will challenge themselves further by cycling over 78kms from Killarney to the foot of Mount Brandon and then climb 3,123 ft up Mt Brandon, and day four on Sunday, August 23 they'll finish with a cycle from Dingle to Killarney.

To date the Challenge has raised almost €207,000 supporting a number of very deserving Kerry charities.

This year Skellig Stars, a group of children and adult athletes with special needs; Kerry Hospice Foundation and Enable Ireland Kerry are the chosen charities. Each charity will have a champion undertaking the challenge on their behalf.

"The spinathon was done because fundraising was quite slow this year as we've only five taking part due to the restrictions when we'd normally have 50," one of the organisers TJ O'Connor said.

"It was fantastic, it was amazing really. We had over 30 people spinning on the day. We are overwhelmed with peoples' generosity and kindness." However, he added that they haven't gotten the final figure yet from Saturday's event as it has to come in from four locations and be counted.

Anyone looking to donate can do so via www.54321challenge.org or see the individual charities Facebook pages for online donation information or donate by Direct Debit to Bank of Ireland, Killarney. Sort code 90-57-58 Account No. 74356384 (BIC BOFIIE2D and IBAN IE88BOFI90575874356384).

"Thanks to everyone who has donated so far and those who took part in the spinathon. Your kindness is greatly appreciated."

 

[caption id="attachment_33233" align="alignleft" width="329"] STARS SUPPORT: Former Kerry players Billy O'Shea and Bryan Sheehan lending their support with current Kerry manager Peter Keane.[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_33239" align="alignleft" width="302"] FUN: Having fun whilse supporting local charities was Helen O'Sullivan Murphy pictured with Seamus Kerrisk Manager of Keane's SuperValu Killorglin.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_33238" align="alignleft" width="383"] ON YOUR BIKE: Comedian Bernard Casey got on the bike to lend his support for the spinathon on Saturday last.[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_33235" align="alignleft" width="571"] SPINNING: Rita O' Sullivan, Marian Kelly, Brendan Sheehan and Michael O'Sullivan from Skelligs Stars in Cahersiveen taking part in the spinathon on Saturday last.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_33234" align="alignleft" width="566"] SUPPORT: Sean Murphy supporting the spinathon on Saturday last.[/caption]

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Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award programme to resume this October

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5 hours ago

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6 June 2026

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The Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award Programme is set to return this autumn following a six-year absence.

The Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society confirmed that the 12th annual award ceremony will take place in Killarney during the final weekend of October 2026.

The prestigious award programme was suspended due to resource constraints after the 2019 presentation to Ireland’s UN Peacekeepers, with its resumption further delayed by the pandemic.

“This has been made possible through the generous support of the Kerry County Council Community Support Programme, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, and other sponsors,” Society Chairperson Jerry O’Grady said.

The memorial society will shortly issue an official call for nominations for the 2026 recipient. Over the years, the accolade has honoured a wide range of humanitarian work, with previous recipients including GOAL aid workers Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki, Trócaire’s Sally O’Neill, the late Donal Walsh, and emergency rescue groups including the RNLI, Irish Coast Guard, and Kerry Mountain Rescue.

Full details on the nomination procedures and closing dates can be obtained directly from the society by emailing oflahertysociety2008@gmail.com.

Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award programme to resume this October

The Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award Programme is set to return this autumn following a six-year absence.

The Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society confirmed that the 12th annual award ceremony will take place in Killarney during the final weekend of October 2026.

The prestigious award programme was suspended due to resource constraints after the 2019 presentation to Ireland’s UN Peacekeepers, with its resumption further delayed by the pandemic.

“This has been made possible through the generous support of the Kerry County Council Community Support Programme, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, and other sponsors,” Society Chairperson Jerry O’Grady said.

IRISH UN VETERANS HONOURED IN KILLARNEY – JUNE 4th 2019 Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe pictured after accepting the Mons Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award 2019 on behalf of the Defence Forces in St. Mary’s Church of Ireland, Killarney on Tuesday evening. Also in photo are Mayor of Killarney Niall Kelleher, Jim Casey, Chairman, IUNVA, Major General Kieran Brennan, Deputy Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Patrick Flynn and UN Veteran John O’Mahony, Hugh O’Flaherty, Pearl Dineen, Jerry O’Grady and invited guests. Photo: Don MacMonagle Press release: Before a large audience in the unique and beautiful St Mary’s Church of Ireland in Killarney, including foreign Ambassadors and Diplomats and UN Veterans, Killarney’s Deputy Mayor Niall Kelleher presented the Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award Scroll last evening to Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe and Irish UN Veterans Chairman Jim Casey. Representing the Hugh O’Flaherty Family and Memorial Society, Judge Hugh O’Flaherty and Pearl Dineen presented the International Humanitarian Medal to Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Kieran Brennan and Brigadier General Patrick Flynn. The Award Ceremony was preceded by a powerful performance by Donal Courtney of his acclaimed one-man play “God Has No Country”, receiving a standing ovation from all present. In his introduction, Memorial Society Chairman Jerry O’Grady said, “Heroes are often defined as those who give of themselves, often putting their own lives at risk for the greater good of others. By this measure, without seeking fame or fortune, the brave men and women of the Irish Defence Forces wearing the iconic blue beret, are truly heroes, deserving of our unbridled admiration and support” Addressing the gathering, Deputy Mayor Niall Kelleher said, “From Lebanon to Cyprus and from El Salvador to Kosovo, Irish UN peacekeepers have always served with diligence and distinction. Irish Defence Forces in particular have always been warmly welcomed wherever they have served. That honourable service has probably come to greater public attention in recent years through the telling of the story of the Siege of Jadotville, but for decades now, Irish men and women have proudly entered some of the world’s most dangerous and volatile regions. It is important to remember at time too those 86 members of our Defence Forces who have paid the ultimate sacrifice”. In his acceptance speech, Minister Paul Kehoe said, “Just like the incredible humanitarian work carried out by Monsignor O’Flaherty over 75 years ago, the Irish Defence Forces have also brought great honour to Ireland through their participation in peacekeeping operations over the last 60 years. One of the elements that I am often struck by as Minister is the deep respect and admiration for the Irish Defence Forces right around the world”. The Minister added, “Ireland’s unbroken and proud history of participation in UN missions is one of the things that helps makes us stand out as a nation. It strengthens our values; it deepens our international relations; it shows that one small country can make a huge difference on the global stage. As Minister, I am determined that we continue our great Peacekeeping tradition”. The minister paid a special tribute to one member of the audience, Scartaglin native Irish UN Veteran John O’Mahony. In 1980 while serving in the Lebanon, John was shot and seriously injured but happily he survived. Sadly, two of his colleagues, Pte Derek Smallhorne and Pte Thomas Barrett were killed. The final element of the Award Ceremony was the presentation of a generous bursary to the Veterans Association by Donal Hickey, Vice Chair of the Muckross House Trustees Board. Included in the audience were four members of the Raaijmakers family from the Netherlands. Their uncle Anton Musters (Fr Anselmus) was an Augustinian Priest in Rome and an active member of the Rome Escape Line. One month before the Liberation of Rome, he was captured by the Gestapo, interrogated and tortured, but he refused to reveal any information on the Rome organisation. He was being transported to a prison camp in Germany when he escaped during a stopover in Florence and returned to Rome on the day of Liberation. If Fr Anselmus had given up the Rome Organisation during torture, it is probable the Msgr Hugh and many others would not have survived the war. His bravery saved the lives of many of the Escape Line organisers. Earlier in the day, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Rome, two symbolic trees were planted in the Graveyard of the O’Connell Memorial Church in Cahersiveen, the burial place of Monsignor Hug O’Flaherty. Further Information: oflahertysociety2008@gmail.com

The memorial society will shortly issue an official call for nominations for the 2026 recipient. Over the years, the accolade has honoured a wide range of humanitarian work, with previous recipients including GOAL aid workers Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki, Trócaire’s Sally O’Neill, the late Donal Walsh, and emergency rescue groups including the RNLI, Irish Coast Guard, and Kerry Mountain Rescue.

Full details on the nomination procedures and closing dates can be obtained directly from the society by emailing oflahertysociety2008@gmail.com.

IRISH UN VETERANS HONOURED IN KILLARNEY – JUNE 4th 2019 Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe accepts the Mons Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award 2019 on behalf of the Defence Forces from retired Supreme Court Judge Hugh O’Flaherty, (grandson of the monsignor) in Killarney on Tuesday evening. Also in photo are from left,, Jim Casey, Chairman, IUNVA, Major General Kieran Brennan, Deputy Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Patrick Flynn and UN Veteran John O’Mahony. Photo: Don MacMonagle Press Release: Before a large audience in the unique and beautiful St Mary’s Church of Ireland in Killarney, including foreign Ambassadors and Diplomats and UN Veterans, Killarney’s Deputy Mayor Niall Kelleher presented the Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award Scroll last evening to Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe and Irish UN Veterans Chairman Jim Casey. Representing the Hugh O’Flaherty Family and Memorial Society, Judge Hugh O’Flaherty and Pearl Dineen presented the International Humanitarian Medal to Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Kieran Brennan and Brigadier General Patrick Flynn. The Award Ceremony was preceded by a powerful performance by Donal Courtney of his acclaimed one-man play “God Has No Country”, receiving a standing ovation from all present. In his introduction, Memorial Society Chairman Jerry O’Grady said, “Heroes are often defined as those who give of themselves, often putting their own lives at risk for the greater good of others. By this measure, without seeking fame or fortune, the brave men and women of the Irish Defence Forces wearing the iconic blue beret, are truly heroes, deserving of our unbridled admiration and support” Addressing the gathering, Deputy Mayor Niall Kelleher said, “From Lebanon to Cyprus and from El Salvador to Kosovo, Irish UN peacekeepers have always served with diligence and distinction. Irish Defence Forces in particular have always been warmly welcomed wherever they have served. That honourable service has probably come to greater public attention in recent years through the telling of the story of the Siege of Jadotville, but for decades now, Irish men and women have proudly entered some of the world’s most dangerous and volatile regions. It is important to remember at time too those 86 members of our Defence Forces who have paid the ultimate sacrifice”. In his acceptance speech, Minister Paul Kehoe said, “Just like the incredible humanitarian work carried out by Monsignor O’Flaherty over 75 years ago, the Irish Defence Forces have also brought great honour to Ireland through their participation in peacekeeping operations over the last 60 years. One of the elements that I am often struck by as Minister is the deep respect and admiration for the Irish Defence Forces right around the world”. The Minister added, “Ireland’s unbroken and proud history of participation in UN missions is one of the things that helps makes us stand out as a nation. It strengthens our values; it deepens our international relations; it shows that one small country can make a huge difference on the global stage. As Minister, I am determined that we continue our great Peacekeeping tradition”. The minister paid a special tribute to one member of the audience, Scartaglin native Irish UN Veteran John O’Mahony. In 1980 while serving in the Lebanon, John was shot and seriously injured but happily he survived. Sadly, two of his colleagues, Pte Derek Smallhorne and Pte Thomas Barrett were killed. The final element of the Award Ceremony was the presentation of a generous bursary to the Veterans Association by Donal Hickey, Vice Chair of the Muckross House Trustees Board. Included in the audience were four members of the Raaijmakers family from the Netherlands. Their uncle Anton Musters (Fr Anselmus) was an Augustinian Priest in Rome and an active member of the Rome Escape Line. One month before the Liberation of Rome, he was captured by the Gestapo, interrogated and tortured, but he refused to reveal any information on the Rome organisation. He was being transported to a prison camp in Germany when he escaped during a stopover in Florence and returned to Rome on the day of Liberation. If Fr Anselmus had given up the Rome Organisation during torture, it is probable the Msgr Hugh and many others would not have survived the war. His bravery saved the lives of many of the Escape Line organisers. Earlier in the day, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Rome, two symbolic trees were planted in the Graveyard of the O’Connell Memorial Church in Cahersiveen, the burial place of Monsignor Hug O’Flaherty. Further Information: oflahertysociety2008@gmail.com

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Three generations of O’Connor family complete Killarney parkrun

Published

10 hours ago

on

6 June 2026

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Three generations of O’Connor family complete Killarney parkrun


Three generations of the O’Connor family completed the 5km course together at Killarney House and Gardens last Saturday.


Grandfather Mike, his son Jeremiah, and grandson Brian all participated in the weekly event. Organisers noted that the family’s participation shows what parkrun is about, as the event is open to people of all ages and abilities.
The free weekly 5k community event takes place every Saturday morning at 9:30am sharp in the Killarney House gardens (V93HE3C). Members of the public are welcome to walk, jog, run, volunteer, or spectate.

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