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Tour de Munster raises over €389k for Down Syndrome Ireland

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The 2022 Tour de Munster charity cycle has enjoyed another hugely successful year, raising €389,214.99 in aid of the Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI).

The grand total was revealed at a cheque presentation on December 16 which saw cyclists, supporters and DSI Munster branches come together to celebrate the achievements of this year’s Tour. In total, the tour raised a staggering €445,000, with some cyclists raising funds for other charities near and dear to their hearts.

Celebrating 22 years since its inception, the popular Tour de Munster charity cycle has now raised over €4.6 million. This is the 13th successive year that DSI has been the main beneficiary of the charity cycle, with the Tour raising €4 million alone for Down Syndrome Ireland’s Munster branches.

The funds raised will continue to make a tremendous difference to the lives of people with Down Syndrome in Munster, as well as their friends and families by providing vital services and facilities in each county which they so heavily rely on.

Led by cycling legend Sean Kelly and Olympic rower Gary O’Donovan, more than one hundred amateur cyclists took part in the event. They travelled more than 600 kilometres over the course of four days, visiting some of Munster's most famous towns and villages in an endeavour to raise vital funds for the Down Syndrome Ireland branches throughout Munster.

“On behalf of Down Syndrome Kerry members and their families I want to express my deepest gratitude to the cyclists, back-up crew, Paul Sheridan and everyone who in any way supported this year’s Tour de Munster and for their huge personal and financial efforts in support of our Kerry branch members and those of Clare, Tipperary, Limerick, Waterford and Cork," Enda O’Brien, Chairperson of Down Syndrome Kerry, said.

"The funds generated for Kerry this year will be directed to our Speech & Language Service which is vital for our members. Our branch does not receive any HSE or other Government funding to allay the cost of this service (€120,000 + per annum). Clearly, we are greatly indebted to those who go to such great lengths every year to participate, fundraise and support the Tour.”

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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.”

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