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Ulster Bank Killarney to host charity event
CHARITY IN A HEARTBEAT: Brian McMahon (McMahon Culloty Construction), Agne Kremenskiene (AK Interiors), Donagh O'Regan (Reeks Consulting Engineers), Davide Mosca (Davide Mosca Design Ltd), Justin Healy (Ulster Bank Branch Manager Killarney), and Billy O'Sullivan (Killarney HeartBeat).
By Michelle Crean
One local bank is opening its heart by organising a fundraising event for a local charity this month.
Ulster Bank’s Killarney branch will open its doors for a special fundraiser in aid of HeartBeat Killarney, a voluntary support group which aims to help people who’ve suffered heart disease, a stroke or a cardiac event return to living as full as life as possible.
On Saturday, October 26 colleagues in the branch are hosting a home expert information event, where interested homeowners and homebuyers can speak to local professionals, including building contractors, engineers, architects and interior designers, in exchange for a discretionary donation to the charity.
The 30-40 minute slots will take place throughout the day from 9.30-4pm and should be booked in advance by emailing justin.u.healy@ulsterbank.com. In return for the consultations, people are asked to bring a donation on the day for HeartBeat Killarney.
“We in Ulster Bank are delighted to support Killarney HeartBeat, while also providing an interesting and informative experience for our customers and the wider community,” Justin Healy, Ulster Bank’s Killarney Branch Manager, said:
“Whether you’re looking to build your first home, or renovate and refresh your existing property, you’ll be able to share your thoughts and plans with our professionals – all we ask in return is that you donate however much you can to an important local cause. I want to thank McMahon Culloty Construction, Reeks Consulting engineers, Agne Kremenskiene and Davide Mosca for giving up their Saturday to raise money for charity.”
Billy O’Sullivan from HeartBeat Killarney, said that they work every day to provide information and events in the local area and need all the help they can get to ensure the best possible support for those who’ve suffered heart disease, a stroke or a cardiac event.
“I want to thank everyone who is involved in organising and hosting this wonderful initiative, particularly Ulster Bank colleagues in Killarney and the experts who are giving up their precious time and advice.”
This home expert information event forms part of Ulster Bank’s ongoing ‘Do Good, Feel Good’ initiative, which encourages colleagues to come together and raise money for a registered charity or charities of their choice.
News
Killarney and District Motor Club members honoured by Motorsport Ireland
By Cormac Casey Several members of Killarney and District Motor Club were honoured at the Motorsport Ireland awards lunch in Dublin on Wednesday. The highlight of the event is the […]

By Cormac Casey
Several members of Killarney and District Motor Club were honoured at the Motorsport Ireland awards lunch in Dublin on Wednesday.
The highlight of the event is the announcement of the sport’s top awards.
Kilkenny’s Jack Brennan (19) was named Young Rally Driver of the Year, while Wexford native Jack Byrne was named Young Racing Driver of the Year and the International Driver of the Year award went to recently crowned FIA Junior World Rally Champion, William Creighton.
Muckross-based co-driver Noel O’Sullivan was presented with his Irish Tarmac Rally Championship winning trophy.
This year saw the introduction of the Motorsport Ireland President’s Awards which celebrate the achievements of clubs and organisations.
Killarney and District Motor Club won in the innovation category for their work with their KDMC 2 initiative thanks to the efforts of the club’s vice chairman Mike O’Shea.
Rally Rescue teams were also recognised and the club’s Mike Cleary picked up an award for his role he played in what was a difficult year for rescue crew operators.
Tom O’Riordan, who looks after ambulance procurement on the club’s events, was presented with an FIA Volunteer Pin by Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper.
Killarney Advertiser Journalist Sean Moriarty was presented with an award for best use of of PR and media in 2023.
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Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest ‘thank you’ event at Brehon
Participation in the 2023 Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest has grown by more than 100% since 2020 with 98% of those who gave feedback saying they would attend similar […]

Participation in the 2023 Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest has grown by more than 100% since 2020 with 98% of those who gave feedback saying they would attend similar events again in 2024.
Feedback from more than 100 people who attended this year’s Fest events from 7th to 14th October was positive with 91% stating they were satisfied.
The Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest is held annually over the course of a week to highlight World Mental Health Day on October 10.
It aims to raise awareness of the available supports and services in Kerry as well as empower people to engage with the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ through offering a dynamic and interactive programme of events.
99% percent of respondents, most of whom identified as female, said they would recommend the Fest to friends next year. Some key notes for improvement included a request for more events with wider variety throughout the county.
The Chair of the Interagency Steering Group, John Drummey from Kerry Mental Health Association, said: “We wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to event organisers, community groups, businesses, funders and partners that facilitated the Fest’s dynamic and interactive programme of events in 2023. We are encouraged to see such growth in numbers attending the Fest events with a 50% increase from 2022. We are already making plans for the Fest from 5 to 12t October 2024 and we are looking forward to building on this year’s successes. That said, there is always room for improvement and we would welcome suggestions for new events and activities.”
Many of the event organisers attended a ‘thank-you’ event at the Brehon Hotel, Killarney, courtesy of the Kerry Volunteer Centre to coincide with the annual International Volunteer Day, December 5.
The Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest was organised by an interagency steering group made up of local agencies that support wellbeing in our community.
The organising committee is a collaboration between Connecting for Life Kerry, Healthy Kerry, Kerry County Council, Kerry Recreation & Sports Partnership, the HSE, NEWKD, SKDP, Kerry Mental Health Association, Jigsaw Kerry, Munster Technological University/Kerry, KDYS, Kerry Volunteer Centre and Family Resource Centres throughout the county.