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Much missed Weeshie Fogarty remembered on his home patch
FAMILY AND FRIENDS:Mayor of Killarney Marie Moloney unveils a plaque in honour of former Radio Kerry and GAA pundit Weeshie Fogarty who died in 2018 at Dalton's Avenue in Killarney on Thursday. Also in photo are Joan Fogarty and her family Denise Carol-Ann Kieran Glen Spellman and grandkids Lucy and Eva Angela McAllen Killarney Town Council Patrick O'Sullivan Chairman Kerry County Board Fiona Stack Radio Kerry and Liam Maguire Legion GAA. Photo: Don MacMonagle
UNVEILING:Pictured at the unveiling of the Dalton's Avenue Roundabout dedicated to Weeshie Fogarty in Killarney on Thursday were Joan Fogarty and her family Denise Carol-Ann Kieran Glen Spellman and grandkids Lucy and Eva.Photo: Don MacMonagle
FAMILY AND FRIENDS:Mayor of Killarney Marie Moloney unveils a plaque in honour of former Radio Kerry and GAA pundit Weeshie Fogarty who died in 2018 at Dalton's Avenue in Killarney on Thursday. Also in photo are Joan Fogarty and her family Denise Carol-Ann Kieran Glen Spellman and grandkids Lucy and Eva Angela McAllen Killarney Town Council Patrick O'Sullivan Chairman Kerry County Board Fiona Stack Radio Kerry and Liam Maguire Legion GAA. Photo: Don MacMonagle
UNVEILING:Pictured at the unveiling of the Dalton's Avenue Roundabout dedicated to Weeshie Fogarty in Killarney on Thursday were Joan Fogarty and her family Denise Carol-Ann Kieran Glen Spellman and grandkids Lucy and Eva.Photo: Don MacMonagle
By Michelle Crean and Sean Moriarty
One of Killarney's most dedicated football men was honoured on Thursday - when a roundabout was named in his memory.
Killarney Municipal District dedicated the roundabout at the junction of Dalton’s Avenue and Marian Terrace, to the late broadcaster and sportsman, Weeshie Fogarty.
The proud Legion, basketball champion and Radio Kerry commentator was one of the town’s best loved sons.
Thursday’s event was attended by his wife Joan, daughters Denise, Carolann, son Kieran, grandchildren Eva and Lucy, son-in-law Glen and the extended Fogarty and Slattery families.
Local politicians and Legion club members were also present.
“Weeshie, as we know, made his mark in journalism and broadcasting, particularly on Radio Kerry, where his unique style and turn of phrase won audiences far beyond the Kingdom and gave him a truly international reach,” Mayor Marie Moloney told the assembled group.
“Weeshie’s voice was instantly recognisable. He had a special and unique way of talking about football and in talking about anything for that matter. And behind all of that was a tremendous passion – a passion for sport, a passion for Kerry and a passion for Killarney.
He also enjoyed much success at club and intercounty level on the playing field with his beloved Legion club and in his many years as a referee.
“It is hugely appropriate that this roundabout is within a short distance of his beloved Fitzgerald Stadium, which in many ways was his second home. I can remember hearing a broadcast in which Weeshie, speaking from the commentary box, described the vista of the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, St Mary’s Cathedral and St Finan’s Hospital, where, of course, he worked for many years. The piece proved Weeshie’s deep love for Killarney and its people. This was complemented by the award-winning Terrace Talk programme which had an enormous listenership.”
Killarney Legion GAA Club said that they are "delighted and proud" that the Killarney Municipal District saw fit to dedicate the roundabout to the man who "is a legend".
"Weeshie gave a lifetime of service to the club, from the day he joined on February 3 1955, as a player, trainer, coach and officer," PRO Enda Walshe said.
"Serving in all the main officer roles, he was a key driving force behind the publication in 1979 of a 'Legion of Memories', an award-winning book tracking the first 50 years of the history of Killarney Legion."
Weeshie played for the club to the highest level, also representing Kerry at all levels culminating in winning an All-Ireland Senior medal in 1969. After his playing career ended he turned his attention to refereeing, taking charge of several County Championship finals.
Outside of the playing arena Weeshie excelled in his role as a broadcaster for over 20 years on Radio Kerry and was known throughout the country as the 'Voice of Kerry Football'. In this role he won numerous accolades including PPI Radio Awards and was inducted into the prestigious McNamee Awards Hall of Fame in 2016 for his lifelong contribution to the GAA.
He dedicated his working life to the care of others in his role as a psychiatric nurse in St Finan'sHospital, which fittingly overlooked his beloved Fitzgerald Stadium.
"It is a fitting tribute to a man who gave his all for his club, town and county. The word legend is often overused but Weeshie Fogarty was a legend,” added the club PRO.
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Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections
Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]
Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.
Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.
The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.
Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.
Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.
She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.
“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”
In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.
In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.
last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History – Irish Life and Lore’.
During the broadcast she talked about her parents’ membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.
This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.
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Philip is running over 100kms for Cancer charity
Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday. Phillip has already […]
Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday.
Phillip has already completed four half marathons at various locations around Killarney – all in aid of Kerry Cancer Support Group – or the Cancer Bus as it popularly called.
This is the second time that Phillip has run four half marathon and an official race for the charity.
Back in 2021 he finished with 5km Run Killarney event but his finishing race this time around is over eight times the distance at 42kms.
“We are delighted with Philip’s continued fundraising support but also with his awareness raising for the charity,” Breda Dyland, Service Manager Kerry Cancer Support Trust.
“We are getting busier all the time and still get no statutory funding so are dependent on fundraisers like Philip’s to keep us on the road. We have just put our new wheelchair accessible bus on the Cork route so Philip’s funding will be going towards the operation of this vehicle.”
Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections
Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109...
Philip is running over 100kms for Cancer charity
Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up...
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