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Thousands turn out for Darkness into Light – Nathan’s Walk

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By Sean Moriarty

Photos: Konrad Paprocki

Over 4,500 people took part in the annual Darkness Into Light – Nathan’s Walk charity walk on Saturday morning which made a welcome return after a two year hiatus as a result of the pandemic.

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TEAM LONDON: Noel O'Sullivan Tara Cronin and Fiona O'Sullivan were amongst the large group of volunteers that helped run the Cricklewood London walk. Photo: Lucia Butler

The 5km walk, led by local Radio Kerry DJ Brendan Fuller from Killarney Racecourse and along the lake shore via Ross Castle, started under the cover of darkness at 4.15am and ended just as dawn was breaking raising awareness and funding for mental health by inviting walkers to take a journey from the darkness into the light.

Although scaled back versions of the walk – in compliance with social distancing rules – did take place over the last two years, the 2022 edition was the first time that a group walk was allowed go ahead since the outbreak of COVID.

“We had a great turn out,” founder Marie O'Carroll, who set up the Killarney walk in 2011 following the tragic loss of her 14-year-old son Nathan, told the Killarney Advertiser. “There was a great atmosphere. The crowd were very good and the Gardai told me there were over 4,500 people at the racecourse for the start."

The organisers paid tribute to volunteers, walkers and event sponsors Electric Ireland, JM Reidy’s and Independent Irish Health Foods for their support.

Meanwhile two walks took place in London and both had a direct Killarney influence on the organising team. Aghadoe’s Liam Kearney took charge of a walk on the London Irish Rugby Club’s training ground.

Tara Cronin looked after the Cricklewood-based launch which first took place in 2014.

She was helped by Ballaugh man Noel O’Sullivan, who is the president of the GAA in Britain, and his daughter Fiona.

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Killarney for Palestine film screening

Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz. The event, which […]

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Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz.

The event, which took place on July 3, included two screenings, both of which were fully booked. Guests enjoyed cheese and wine before the shows.
‘No Other Land’ depicts the ongoing destruction in Masafer Yatta, a cluster of villages in the Southern West Bank, and shows the experiences of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The film won in the Best Documentary category at this year’s Academy Awards.
The screenings were organised in association with the West End School of Arts.
All proceeds from the €25 tickets benefited Camp Breakerz Crew, a children’s charity based in Gaza that provides creative outlets through dance and is involved in food distribution programs in Nuseirat Camp and Deir-Al-Balah due to food shortages.
Sally MacMonagle, who recently spent time in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, also spoke at one of the screenings.

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Bid to host European Presidency summit meetings gathers pace

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026. Deputy Cahill […]

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Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026.

Deputy Cahill believes Kerry’s available accommodation, food, and conference facilities are “second to none,” with Killarney as the central location.
“Visitors from every corner of the earth have been coming to Kerry for centuries now, to experience its beauty and serenity and have returned on many occasions because of the fabulous time they have enjoyed during their stay here,” said Deputy Cahill. “Where else would you want to bring the senior Government Ministers of all of our EU counterpart states, to experience Ireland, its customs and heritage?”
The Rossbeigh TD outlined various attractions available for visitors during downtime: “During their downtime, they can visit the Blaskets and Slea Head, Sceilg Mhichíl and the Ring of Kerry, Killarney’s Lakes, Gap of Dunloe, National Park and Sliabh Luachra, all of our glorious beaches from Ballybunion to Rossbeigh, Kells to Ventry, Whitestrand to Inch, Ballinskelligs to Cromane, Waterville to Derrynane.” He also cited Kerry’s golf courses, Listowel Writers Week, the Rose of Tralee, and Puck Fair as potential experiences.
Deputy Cahill confirmed he has raised this matter with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris; and Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne.
“If Killarney’s bid is successful in bringing the Heads of State to our county for meetings, conferences and functions, it will be a massive boost to the local economy in Killarney and also throughout the county,” added Cahill.”Iwill continue to push in the coming months for Killarney and Kerry to be included as bases for the rounds of meetings that are to take place from July 1 to December 312026.”

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