Killarney Outlook

06/09/2024

PAT TAKES ON MASSIVE CHALLENGE FOR
COMFORT FOR CHEMO

Today, Friday 6th of September ,Pat Sheehan Weight Loss Coach (Club Vitea Leisure, Hotel Killarney) will take on the 101km Kerry Way Ultra Nite Marathon in under 24hrs.
The popular fitness coach will start at 9pm in South Kerry from Dromid and will continue through, Waterville, Caherdaniel, Sneem, Templenoe, Kenmare and reaching the finishing line at Killarney Race Course on Saturday evening.
“You can help by donating whatever you can big or small for this great cause for Comfort for Chemo Kerry at www.idonate.ie/Pat101k:, Pat said.All donations are processed securely.
Pictured at the Fundraiser launch in Killarney House & Gardens is Mary Horgan secretary & Bríd O’ Connor patient advocate for Comfortforchemokerry & of course Pats two biggest supporters Conellie & Maisie Sheehan.

05/09/2024

CHAMPIONS: Dr. Crokes celebrating their win over Di**le in the Senior Club Championship. See tomorrow's edition of Killarney Outlook - Out First Every Friday!
Dr. Crokes GAA

05/09/2024

FUN AND GAMES AT LEGION
JUVENILE
ACADEMY THIS WEEKEND

It will be all fun and games at Killarney Legion GAA club this Saturday when the club hold their annual juvenile academy open day.
Children from the ages of 3-11 are welcome, with Free registrations for U6 boys and girls on the day.
“You do not have to be a current member, so come along for a fun filled morning!”, Justin Healy, one of the organisers told Killarney Outlook.
From Bouncy Castles to novelty races there will be lots to keep the kids entertained including, Face painting, Novelty races, Skills competitions, Foot golf, Treasure hunt And much more.
Free refreshments on the day and each child gets a free club wristband!
Club grounds – V93 EH26.
Contact: Justin Healy 0863684108 for details!

04/09/2024

Colm Cooper u13 Tournament Launch Takes Place

This year’s u13 tournament returns on Saturday the 14th September and is back better than ever! 8 teams in total for Colm’s invitational competition from counties Dublin, Galway, Mayo, Cork & of course Kerry & the event will be hosted in Dr. Crokes home ground in Lewis Road. Colm’s iconic number 13 plays a big part in the blitz style tournament – teams are under 13, with 13 a side & with 13 mins per half! All as a tribute to Colm’s number during his illustrious time playing for The Kingdom & for the Crokes. Clubs from throughout the country are chosen who have a strong connection to Colm and to the club. The event will kick off at 11:30am and close out at 6pm. Colm and the wider Cooper family will be in attendance throughout the day and this year Colm’s young son, Conall will also be onlooking!
We would like to thank The Coffey family, as ever, for their generous sponsorship of medals and trophies for the event. This year, we are delighted to have Quills Woollen Market onboard as our headline sponsor. Radio Kerry will be broadcasting live from Dr. Crokes on the day and it promises to be fantastic day with skill, speed and comradery on show. All are welcome!

04/09/2024

ALL IRELAND GOLD FOR THE RATHMORE/GNEEVEGUILLA GIRLS

There were scenes of joy and jubilation when
Rathmore/Gneeveguilla won the U12 girls football Community Games final at the Community Games National Finals in Carlow last Sunday.
A win over Knocklyon Dublin in the semi final at 2.30pm, secured them a place in the final against Killan, Cavan later that day. Each of the players and their coaches deserve great recognition for helping to bring home the All Ireland U12 Football award, to the Rathmore Gneeveguilla area, for 2024.
Well done to : Laura Breen, Eve Cleverly, Caoimhe Darmody, Aisling Fenton, Sinead Hurley, Abbey Kissane, Ava Knee, Eabha Moynihan, Ruby Moynihan, Saoirse Murphy, Mairead O’Leary, Makayla O’Leary, Clodagh O’Connor, Olivia O’Connor, Aoife O’Donoghue and Laura Cronin.
Rathmore/Gneeveguilla Community Games would also like to congratulate our coaches Derek Moynihan, Donie O’Connor, Miriam Moynihan and Barry O’Leary on this achievement and thank them for taking the time to train the team and preparing the girls for the finals.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank each of the players for taking part and to their families, for all their support and for travelling to Carlow this weekend.
Congratulations once again to our Victorious Rathmore Gneeveguilla Community Games team on your All Ireland win.

03/09/2024

GREAT GOLF PLAYED AT THE ST. PAUL’S GOLF CLASSIC

The sun shone and a fresh westerly breeze greeted the early starters in the St Pauls Basketball Club Golf Classic in Beaufort on Saturday morning. Cllr Niall O Callaghan fired off the first drive at 8.40am and by evening time over 30 teams had negotiated their way around the long but pristine track. When all the calculations were complete it was the Gallivans Murphys Insurance (GMIB) Team of Tina O Sullivan , Sinead O Shea , Sinead Lynch and Lelia Moloney who displayed great course management and no little skill to find themselves in the winners enclosure. But they had to be at their very best as another all female combination chased them home all the way home. Aileen Curtayne and her team played wonderfully well and secured the silver medal. Jim Delaney assembled a crack squad of Anthony O Carroll, Donal Carroll and Ryan Kavanagh and they were the final group home, capturing third place. The Tony O Sullivan led Kerry Agri Business Store are never far away from a podium finish and they dovetailed well to grab fourth place.
Lorcan King hit a beauty to the challenging 2nd hole to secure nearest the Pin while Paudie Kerins was like a radar on the fourth to pilfer that prize.
The Club would like to thank most sincerely everyone who took part in the Golf Classic , sponsored a team or a tee box. Special thanks to Tadgh Clifford and the greenkeeping team who had the course in immaculate shape despite the recent days of unpredictable weather. To Helen and the staff in the Clubhouse who made sure everyone got fed and watered. Finally this event would not be the success it was, over 35 teams took part, without the work of organising Committee, namely Sean Brosnan, Joe Sheehan, Maurice O Donoghue , Jim Delaney, John Carroll and Tom Looney .
Full Results
1st
Gallivan Murphy Insurance GMIB
Tina O Sullivan , Sinead O Shea , Sinead Lynch , Lelia Moloney .
2nd
Bunkers Bar
Aileen Curtayne , Deirdre Galvin , C Doyle ,A Walker .
3rd
Senator Windows
Jim Delaney , Anthony O Carroll , Donie Carroll , Ryan Kavanagh .
4th
Kerry Agri Business Store
Tony O Sullivan , Kieran Mccarthy , Brendan Nagle , Mike Fitzgerald .
Nearest the Pin
2nd Lorcan King
4th Paudie Kerins

03/09/2024

Back to School for Adults in Ballyseedy Woods

Back to School season is upon us but this time it’s for adults. Kerry Walker of the Nature Hub will be hosting a four week forest school experience beginning on September 17th. The group will gather every Tuesday morning in Ballyseedy Woods to reconnect with Nature through games, activities, and art. Kerry Walker who has set up The Nature Hub in 2020 has many years of experience as a Forest School Leader and Forest Bathing Practitioner and has now opened up the opportunity of Forest School to Adults.
‘I believe in Nature’s power to heal and inspire people of all ages.
With our busy schedules, especially at this time of year, adults will get an opportunity to slow down and make contact with our natural environment.’ says Kerry Walker from Killarney.
Expect a supportive space that allows us to get back to our roots. The group will gather every Tuesday morning in the woods to create and connect with nature through fun nature based activities. There will be hammocks and tree swings, just like Forest School for children, this will also be great fun!
This is part of the Forest Connections Project run by Biodiversity Partners in collaboration with The Nature Hub and supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine. Please visit thenaturehub.ie/events/ for further information and to book your place. See you in the woods!

02/09/2024

Gallarus Hosts
Monumental Visit from Minister Peter Burke TD, Securing Jobs and New
Investment

Gallarus was honoured to host Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr. Peter Burke TD, on Tuesday, 13th August 2024. This momentous visit marked a significant milestone for Gallarus, highlighting the company’s leadership in the manufacturing industry and digital transformation.
Accompanied by esteemed partners, including Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR), InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Ireland, and the Industry Research & Development Group (IRDG), the visit showcased Gallarus’ cutting-edge innovations in Industry 4.0. Gallarus demonstrated its pioneering Unified Namespace (UNS) technology, which integrates real-time data across manufacturing sites, reducing waste, increasing efficiency, and enabling predictive maintenance.
The presence of Local and European politicians, Sean Kelly, Michael Healy-Rae and Bobby O’ Connell further emphasized the significance of Gallarus’ contributions to the industry. Discussions during the visit were pivotal, leading to commitments for creating new jobs and securing future investments that will drive the company’s growth.
John McKeon, CEO, and Patrick McCarthy, COO, emphasized the importance of this visit in expanding Gallarus’ influence in the sector. “This visit is a testament to our team’s hard work and innovation,” said McKeon. “We are excited about the opportunities it opens up for Gallarus in terms of growth and collaboration.”
Minister Burke praised Gallarus for its innovative spirit and its critical role in enhancing Ireland’s enterprise landscape, stating that the company’s efforts are vital for the country’s economic future.
This visit sets the stage for Gallarus’ continued success, reinforcing its commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaboration across Ireland, Europe and North America.

02/09/2024

Met Éireann releases storm names for the 2024/25 season



Met Éireann, along with the National Weather Services of the UK (Met Office) and the Netherlands (KNMI), has released the list of new storm names for the 2024/2025 storm season, which starts on Sunday 1st September.
Each of the three meteorological services has contributed seven names to this season’s list. Met Éireann’s contributions have been taken from a list of more than 500 suggestions by primary school children participating in ESB Science Blast last February.
The full 2024/25 list is Ashley, Bert, Conall, Darragh, Éowyn, Floris, Gerben, Hugo, Izzy, James, Kayleigh, Lewis, Mavis, Naoise, Otje, Poppy, Rafi, Sayuri, Tilly, Vivienne, Wren.
The names chosen by Met Éireann are in bold and the Storm names increase public preparedness for extreme weather

01/09/2024

A group of pilgrims from Glenflesk and neighbouring parishes who were on a pilgrimage to Medjugorge from the 7th to 14th August led by Fr Jim Lenihan PP Glenflesk and Fr Mark Moriarty.

01/09/2024

Going Back In Time at M uckross Traditional Farms

Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club along with Muckross Traditional Farms and the Irish Vintage Society held a hugely successful All Ireland rally on Sunday August 25th.
The weather held dry for the majority of the day which was a blessing for the thousands of people who enjoyed the rally.
The Traditional cottages were a big hit with visitors who got a step back in time into Ireland of the 1930’s and 40’s, with the blacksmith forge and carpenters workshop to bread making and butter making.
Field activities had ploughing, cultivating and seeding carried out with horses and Vintage tractors. There was hay making, stooking turf and displays of old hand tools.
Killarney School Of Music kept the public entertained with crossroads dancing throughout the day.
There were cars on show from the 1930’s and tractors from the 1940’s.
We would like to thank everyone who carried out their pride and joy vehicles to go on display for the public to view.
Also a huge thanks to the hard working members and friends who put in weeks and months of planning in the lead up to Sunday. They’re were also volunteers from the Killarney Chamber as well as kerry mental health who helped with marshaling.
There well be a cheque presentation to Kerry Mental Health in the coming weeks with the proceeds from the day.

01/09/2024

Community Spirit at Knockanes Grotto

As another season of outdoor Masses draws to a close, Knockanes Community extend a warm welcome to all to join them in Holy Mass this Tuesday, September 10th at 7pm to celebrate the completion of recent renovations to their beloved grotto.
For the past few summers the hills of Knockanes have come alive with the sound of Ave Maria as neighbours gather nightly to pray and sing to their Queen of the May.
This community ritual, which was revived during the Covid pandemic, shows no sign of abating with residents unwilling to relinquish their rosaries any time soon. And having revamped the spiritual edifice of their townland, thoughts this year turned to its actual stonework.
First installed as part of a “crusade” in the late 1930s, according to the annals of Knockanes National School, a near century of various weather events had taken its toll and the grotto was in urgent need of repair.
And true to the spirit of their forefathers who “gathered stone from field and fence” for the original structure, this time round young and old dipped into recent First Holy Communion money right through to state pensions to enable specialist craftsmen reinforce the entire stonework, repaint the statue and make other additional improvements to the site.
The rosary group would also like to thank South Kerry Development Partnership and Knockanes National School’s bake sale for supporting their project.
With renovation work now complete, the restored grotto will be blessed during the Mass on Tuesday.

31/08/2024

31/08/2024

Models In Recovery Take to the Catwalk

One of the highlights on the social calendar in Killarney is taking place at the INEC on Thursday 12th September 2024.
The Models In Recovery Charity Autumn Winter Fashion Show in aid of the Killarney Branch of the Kerry Hospice Foundation was launched this week by All Star Kerry Footballer Kayleigh Cronin along with models in recovery and members of the Killarney Branch of the Kerry Hospice Foundation.
Last year’s event raised over €40,000 for the Kerry Hospice
“It’s a novel event as all the models are cancer survivors. Ordinary women and men who are taking to the catwalk to help raise funds for a worthy cause”, Chairperson Pat Doolan told Killarney Outlook.
MC for the evening once again is Donegal native and TV personality Noel Cunningham. Musical entertainment will be provided by Liam O’Connor & family just back from entertaining the crowds at the Olympic village in Paris. Also performing will be “The 3 O’s” [the O’Leary Brothers] who will be providing entertainment during the wine reception.
As usual there will be lots of lovely door & spot prizes. Wine reception at 7.30pm and show starts at 8pm.
“It’s also timely to highlight the fact that Kerry Hospice is in the process of extending it’s services countywide. Planning permission is being sought to add another 5 beds to the existing 15 bed inpatient unit at UHK. It is also intended to have a multi disciplinary satellite Palliative Day Care Unit based in Killarney to provide services for the Killarney and South Kerry regions” said Killarney Branch PRO, Cathal Walshe.
The night will start at 7.30pm sharp with a wine reception followed by the fashion show at 8pm.
Tickets priced at €20 are available from Pat Doolan [085-1543514] and INEC Booking Office [064-6671555].
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31/08/2024

KILLARNEY FOR
PALESTINE TO HOLD CHILDREN’S MEMORIAL VIGIL

The Killarney for Palestine group, who continue to hold weekly vigils at the Market Cross (on a Thursday at 7p.m.) and every Sunday (adjacent to the Courthouse) in respect of highlighting the ongoing genocide in Palestine are planning to hold a Children’s Memorial Vigil.
“This Sunday we intend holding a vigil for all the children in Gaza who cannot go back to school. Over 16,400 children have now been confirmed dead in the last 10 months and this figure exceeds the number of 15,500 children who attend primary school in Co. Kerry, not including the amount comparable to those attending secondary schools. In short, it would mean at the very least that no primary school children would be returning to school in Kerry this week. It is also noteworthy that the Lancet Medical journal has estimated the true death toll of the Israeli assault on Gaza to be in the region of 186,000, so there are doubtless, thousands upon thousands of other children unaccounted for in the official figures:, organisers Susan Larkin and Lisa O’ Sullivan from Killarney for Palestine told Killarney Outlook.
“It is estimated that 80% of the school system in Gaza has been systematically destroyed. UN spokespersons as of April 2024 have spoken out against the pattern of targeting schools, teachers, and systems of education and have likened it to a “scholasticide”, which refers to such systematic destruction of the education infrastructure. (UN experts deeply concerned over ‘scholasticide’ in Gaza | OHCHR) This is a devastating state of affairs and we believe that there should be solidarity from every strata of society for Palestine as a result”, they said.
Killarney for Palestine invite members of the public to join us in honouring these children as we gather just adjacent to the Courthouse, this Sunday at midday to say a few words and hopefully have some contributions from students and children themselves. We will then undertake a brief walk together though the town, through Plunkett Street, Main Street, New Street and New Road, pausing for reflection at the schools on this route, on the stolen lives and dreams of the children of Gaza.
All are welcome, teachers, parents, children and any other members of the community who wish to attend. The group held a very successful similar walk for the children of Gaza that was very well attended by members of the community and it would be very much hoped to have this walk be a similar success.

30/08/2024

Chaos on the roads now the
ultimate Kerry joke

People are deliberately avoiding Killarney town because of the chronic traffic congestion which is having a hugely negative impact on business and is leading to growing frustration, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has complained.
The organisation’s executive said traffic chaos, which appears worse this year than ever before, is now the biggest single issue for the town to contend with and it needs to be addressed as a matter of absolute priority.
The Chamber has urged the Department of Transport, as well as Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Road Safety Authority, to act immediately by identifying the preferred route for the new N22 Farranfore to Killarney project.
In 2003, a route corridor was identified but the project was suspended due to the prevailing economic circumstances at the time.
In 2019, Kerry County Council, in consultation with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, recommenced a review of the scheme to consider and assess all options which could improve the transport connectivity between Farranfore and Killarney and onwards to Tralee and Cork.
Now, five years on, little progress has been made.
Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has urged Kerry’s TDs and senators to use their access to the minister and department officials to demand that they deliver progress on the N22 project – for starters.
Now is the opportune time to secure that commitment with a general election looming, the business organisation said.
“It has been going on far too long and it is now the ultimate Kerry joke. Motorists are encountering absolute gridlock on all the approach roads and in the town centre on a daily basis and it’s time for action,” the Chamber said.
“The chronic, daily traffic back-up in Killarney town centre and on all the approach roads has now reached crisis proportions,” the Chamber added.
“It is far too simplistic to suggest that it is merely a seasonal problem and an indicator of the town’s success because that is of little consolation to those who are late for work, missing trains and buses, late for medical appointments and caught up in snarling traffic for what seems like an age”.
The town business representative body said it is very much aware and fully acknowledges that the matter has been raised time and again by the elected members and officials of Killarney Municipal District Council and Kerry County Council but repeated appeals appear to be falling on deaf ears.
Pledging its full backing to representations made by councillors, the Chamber wants:
• The preferred Farranfore to Killarney route to be identified and funding to be provided to deliver the project before the end of this decade.
• A fast decision on the long-promised Bohereen-Na-Goun inner relief road, from New Street to Monsignor O’Flaherty Road, to ease town centre congestion.
• Funding to be provided, as a matter of priority, for a planned strategic link road from the Killarney Bypass to Pak Road.
• Urgent improvements on the Killarney Bypass Road including the new junctions to and from Lewis Road and Kilcummin for which planning permission has been obtained.
• Additional resources to be provided to An Garda Siochána to ensure congested roundabouts are policed at busier times.
• The creation of more parking options to ease the congestion caused by motorists circling the town.

30/08/2024

SPAR Community Fund ‘Stay in the Game’ recognises Flesk Valley Rowing Club
Flesk Valley Rowing Club, Killarney has been selected as one of five winners nationally in this year’s SPAR community fund competition, ‘Stay in the Game’, in association with Ireland’s double Olympic champion, Kellie Harrington.
This year, SPAR’s community fund is focussing on encouraging teenage girls to stay in sport and develop a lifelong engagement with sport. The fund recognises clubs that are fostering the continued participation of girls in sport.
Flesk Valley Rowing Club, based in Castlelough Bay on Lough Lein in Killarney, was founded in 1920 and is currently home to almost 120 young rowers aged from 10 to 18, 80% of whom are girls. The club has just completed a very busy period of hosting a coastal county championship regatta In Killarney and taking part in the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships in Di**le last weekend.
Commenting on the prize, club chairman, John Fleming said, “Winning under the ‘Stay in the Game’ campaign, is a fantastic endorsement of the work that goes on at Flesk Valley throughout the year and a boost for all our volunteers who give so much of their time to the girls and boys who row with us”.
The club was nominated for the prize by Miriam Brosnan, whose daughter Isabella rows with the club, and John expressed his thanks to Miriam, adding, “It was great to have been nominated by a parent and we are grateful to SPAR for selecting us as one of five winners from over 250 entries nationwide”.
As well as a prize of €2,000 for the winning clubs, each club also had the opportunity to nominate two girls to meet and interact with double-Olympic champion Kellie Harrington at a ‘Stay in the Game’ workshop. Flesk Valley nominated under 16 rowers Isabella Dennehy and Clodagh Flanagan, and they along with their mothers Miriam and Breda, made the trip to Dublin on Thursday August 22nd for a day of filming and chat with Kellie and eight other girls from around the country, in advance of the launch of the SPAR ‘Stay in the Game’ social media campaign.
Speaking this week, Miriam said, “the girls had a fantastic day out in Dublin and they were thrilled to meet Kellie Harrington, and the other girls from around the country to share their experiences in sport. Kellie was so lovely and generous with her time, and very open with the girls about the important role sport has played in her life, and she gave them a great insight into her recent Olympic success too!”
Apparently, the girls also extended an invitation to Kellie to visit Killarney and Flesk Valley the next time she is in the Kingdom, and presented her with her very own Flesk Valley hoodie.
There was no rest for the two girls after the glamour and bright lights of the big city, they were back in action for Flesk Valley in the wind and rain last weekend at the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships in Di**le!

30/08/2024

Our politicians safe for another five years must deliver on the traffic

Speaking of politics being a safe career bet these days, I look forward to the special meeting of the Killarney MD on traffic mayhem. The meeting is overdue. The June elections are nearly forgotten and I am not alone in wondering if the councillors have all been sunning themselves since their reelection.

What prompts me on this is the revelation how Kerry County Council is one of the highest earning counties from traffic fines per 100,000 population.

Galway City Council, Cork City Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Waterford City and County is followed by , Kerry County Council which alone issued 17,674 parking tickets in 2023.

Killarney and Tralee followed by Di**le are the real workhorses here. The council budget for 2024 estimates parking fines and charges will net a whopping Euro 3.5 million. “This is a critical source of local income for the Council,” town manager and financial director of the council Angela McAllen outlined last November.

I wonder where the fines are being handed out in Killarney? It would be nice to find the streets and or the car parks and how often the parking on double yellow lines around the HaHa and the Post Office are targeted and when.

There is huge money now being paid over by a very dissatisfied motoring public including our tourists in Killarney - stuck in traffic trying to circle the town before they can even find a car park space!

Politicians themselves are no longer there on a voluntary basis but are well paid out of the public purse, remember too, with earrings amounting to what would be a decent salary for many people. It is ten years since the reform of local government. Meetings are no longer night time talking shops and are meant to be held as business meetings during working hours. Our experienced and paid councillors must deliver for the public in Killarney. A five point plan on the traffic to be put before the executive with a timeline is the least we can expect.

29/08/2024

The Models In Recovery Fashion Show was launched at the INEC this week. Included are from left: Cathal Walshe, Kerry Hospice Foundation, Kayleigh Cronin, Kerry Footballer, Bernie Riordan, Karen Bruton, Debbie O'Leary, Angela Curran, Ann O'Leary and Pat Doolan, Kerry Hospice

28/08/2024

ALL IRELAND FLEADH CHEOIL 2024 GLENFLESK CCÉ

Thousands of people gathered in Wexford to compete in the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil this month. Glenflesk CCÉ were well represented in music and dance and came home with several All Ireland Medals.
Amongst the medal winners were Grace Angland who achieved a silver medal in the Piano Under 18 competition.
Glenflesk Ceili teams, trained by Norrie Sheehan, brought many medals back to Kerry. The Under 18 Ladies 4-hand Ceilí team won gold with team members being Olivia Angland, Éabha Rudden, Katy Galvin and Aoife De Burca.
Following this the under 18, 4-hand Ceilí mixed team with Jack and Éabha Rudden, Aoife De Burca and Rory McElligott achieved a b***e medal for Glenflesk.
And to finish, Áine Ní Núalláin, Alan Wheelan, Jack and Kate Rudden won gold in the Under 18 Mixed 4-hand Ceili competition.
Olivia Angland competed in the concertina under 15 and gave a great performance. This competition was live streamed on the day by TG4.

28/08/2024

HUGE CROWDS ATTEND KERRY COASTAL ROWING REGATTA

On Sunday last, August 18th 2024, Flesk Valley Rowing Club hosted the second Kerry County Championship Coastal regatta of the year in Castlelough Bay on Lough Leane in Killarney.
This was the final dress rehearsal and qualifying event for the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships taking place in Di**le next weekend, and 15 Kerry rowing clubs were represented in races from u12 beginners to Masters.
The regatta attracted a huge crowd from north, south and east Kerry and there was a great atmosphere on the shore throughout the day, and a riot of colour and chaos on the water! More than one bemused visitor to the national park stopped by to watch the racing, sample the refreshments, and enjoy the scene. The event was officially opened by Cllr. Maura Healy-Rae, Mayor of the Killarney Municipal District, who wished all the clubs a great day of rowing and every success at the All-Irelands next week.

Commenting after the regatta, John Fleming, chairman of Flesk Valley Rowing Club expressed his satisfaction with the event saying, “We are really delighted with the success of the regatta and the support we got from all the visiting clubs, including our neighbours Fossa, Workmen and St. Brendan’s and the local community here in Killarney. The regatta wouldn’t have happened without the hard work of our own volunteers, members, parents and committee, who pulled out all the stops on Sunday and over the past couple of weeks. From stewarding and course building, to the shop and litter picking, not to mention boat handling, coaching and coxing, it was a massive club effort.”
The regatta was held under the auspices of the Kerry Coastal Rowing Association, with Mary B Teahan, Johanna King, Andrew Wharton and Máire Twiss coordinating the regatta with great efficiency, while Kevin Crowley, Jason O’Connor and Denis O’Leary looked after water safety and provided live race commentary, which really added to the drama and excitement.
John Fleming added, “We are grateful for the support we received from the Hegarty family (Spar Muckross Road) and Muckross Rowing Club who offered us the use their safety launches on the day”. John in particular wanted to single out Richie Leane (Leanes Tool Hire) for his unstinting support of Flesk Valley Rowing Club over so many years, and his equipment was again everywhere in evidence at this regatta, and he was at the centre of the action on the shore catching and loading boats”.
First-aid cover for the regatta was provided by Donal McCarthy and Mikey Fleming of the Killarney Order of Malta Ambulance Corps, who continue to provide a fantastic voluntary service to the people of Killarney and its environs, with customary professionalism and good humour.
The regatta was held on Lough Leane with the kind permission and encouragement of the management of the Killarney National Park and the weather on Sunday really showcased the wonderful local amenity that is the national park, and the home of Flesk Valley Rowing Club.
Best of luck to all of the Kerry clubs travelling to the All-Irelands in Di**le next weekend.