.The Kerry Mental Health & Wellbeing Fest, which celebrates five years from 8th to 15th October, will promote mental health and wellbeing through fun and interactive events throughout the county. Pictured at the launch in Páirc an Phiarsaigh, Tralee were Aodhan Morrison , Molly Brosnan , Fionnuala Murray , Keira Griffin , David Peskett and Orla Drummey. Photo: Domnick Walsh
‘MY Mental Health Matters’ is the theme for the 2022 Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest which will feature a wide range of in-person and online activities to suit all ages from October 8-15.
The key focus of the #KerryMHWFest, which is celebrating five years, is to promote mental health and wellbeing in Kerry through a fun and interactive programme of events throughout the county.
Well known Irish sports and entertainment personalities have joined many local voices – young and old – to share a video message outlining how their mental health matters to them.
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Boyzone singer and actor, Keith Duffy, said: “Whether I’m on tour, chilling in my dressing room, or if I’m doing my grocery shopping in the supermarket, my mental health matters.”
Magician Keith Barry, Kerry Paralympian Jordan Lee, Otto the Clown from Fossetts Circus, All-Ireland winning captain, Sean O’Shea and many other Kerry people, have also shared similar mental health messages.
Organised by an interagency steering group, the Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest is held annually to highlight World Mental Health Day on 10th October.
The Chair of the Steering Committee and Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention in Kerry, Donagh Hennebry, said: “The key message from this year’s Fest is that we all need to remember that whatever we do and wherever we are – regardless of gender, age or employment status – our mental health matters. The emphasis on community and the role that we can all play in ensuring our own mental health, and that of our friends and family, is strong.More events are in-person this year which will help us to connect with others more than was possible during Covid. We are grateful to the many people who have put their names forward to host a range of fun and interactive events that will promote mental health and wellbeing in Kerry.”
The Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest aims to create awareness of, and schedule events that empower people to engage with, the Five Ways to Wellbeing – Connect | Give | Take Notice | Keep Learning | Be Active.
All events are free, registration is essential and can be done by visiting the website or following #KerryMHWFest on social media.
The organising committee is a collaboration between Connecting for Life Kerry, Healthy Kerry, Kerry County Council, Kerry Recreation & Sports Parntership, the HSE, NEWKD, SKDP, Kerry Mental Health Association, Jigsaw Kerry, Munster Technological University/Kerry, KDYS, and Kerry Volunteer Centre.
Visit www.KerryMentalHealthAndWellbeingFest.com to see the full event schedule or for general enquiries about the Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest, please email kerrymhwfest20@gmail.com
.My Legacy Month ambassadors Pat Spillane and his daughter Cara Spillane encourage people to consider leaving a legacy gift in their will at the launch of My Legacy Month this September.
KERRY GAA legend Pat Spillane is appealing to people in Kerry to leave a legacy gift for a good cause.
Irish charities have noticed a positive increase in rates of legacy giving over the past five years, according to research carried out by My Legacy, an umbrella group of 80 Irish charities who are this month, celebrating My Legacy Month with ambassador Pat Spillane.
The research, released today (13.09.22) to mark International Legacy Giving Day, also revealed that 44% of their member charities believe that the biggest challenge to increasing legacy giving in Ireland is down to a lack of awareness about how to leave a legacy gift for a charity. As the ambassador for My Legacy Month, Pat Spillane hopes to change that.
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Speaking at the launch of My Legacy Month, Pat said: “Having recently made some big career decisions in my life and having taken a step back from my GAA punditry, it has given me time to take stock and consider what’s important to me and what I want next in life. My father died suddenly when I was very young and reflecting on that time, I realise how important it is to have your affairs in order for your own peace of mind and for your family too.
“Some people might be uncomfortable talking about wills and it can be something that people put on the long finger but it is a much easier process than people might realise. It’s an important task whatever stage of life you’re at – whether that’s buying your first home, starting a family, or even retiring or taking your career in a new direction like I am right now.
“Leaving a legacy gift in your will is a really valuable way to ensure that a cause you care about is supported in the future. One of the myths around legacy giving is that it only applies to very wealthy or older people but in reality, anyone can make a difference by including a gift in their will and planting a seed for the future,” he said.
Pat and My Legacy are calling on people from Kerry to grow their own legacy by considering a gift to a charity in their will.
According to My Legacy, the three simple steps involved in writing a will are:
• Make an appointment with a solicitor: To discuss your wishes and decisions for the future.
• Look after loved ones: A will provides for your loved ones, assigns guardians, protects assets, and can help reduce inheritance tax.
• Consider a legacy gift to charity: If you have a cause close to your heart, consider including a gift to that charity in your will. A gift may be big or small and is tax free.
Further information on how to make a will and the My Legacy Month campaign is available at www.mylegacy.ie.
THE ALL-STARS: The Rock All-Stars and their coaches were very disappointed last Sunday as the weather didn’t allow them to have their usual activities. However, there’ll be more football and fun again next Sunday at 11am at the Austin Stack Club in Connolly Park. Our youngsters get great enjoyment in taking part in social games and in learning and enjoying basic football skills. Fáilte Uí Cheallaigh roimh chách chuig an ngrúpa diagnóisbhunaithe seo….éinne a bhfuil diagnóis aige/aici. If interested in our Sunday morning session just come along or, for information, contact Sarah (087-281 0239) or Sandra (087-294 6658).
PEIL FAOI 7 (born 2015/16/17): Our U7s played Legion with Rock pride and passion last week and what brilliant football they played! We have some outstanding players in this age group. Our next GoGame will be played next Sunday….the Red of St Pats v the Black‘n’Amber of The Street of Champions. Good luck, boys!
PEIL FAOI 9: More action ahead for our Under 9s! Plenty football on the horizon! (i) The Bracker ‘Regan Cup games commence on Thursday (15th) and will continue for several weeks. (iii) On Sunday last, our game v Churchill fell foul of the weather but it has been re-fixed for September 25th. (ii) Our much-looked-forward-to trip to the St Finbarr Club in Togher, Cork, is now pencilled in for October 15th. Let’s be prepared, boys: work on your skills, eat healthily and early to bed!
PEIL FAOI 11: (i) The Rock U11s are scheduled to play v Na Gaeil at 6.30pm on this Thursday (15th) in Connolly Park in the final round of the Central Region Board’s Go Games. Good football expected! (ii) On Saturday we head for Glanmire in Cork to participate in that club’s annual Michael O’Leary Tournament in which 12 teams from Cork, Kerry, Waterford and Dublin will partake. A feast of Gaelic football awaits our U11 stalwarts who, undoubtedly, will do us proud! Best of luck to our representatives! An Charraig Abú!
PEIL FAOI 13 – CENTRAL LEAGUE: The result from the Central League Division 1B semi-final….Team Amber (AdeS) 5-3 (18); Na Gaeil Team Green 1-10 (13). Our mighty Team Amber boys earned their place in the final with victory over Na Gaeil ar an gCillín on Saturday evening last (10th). An exemplary 1st half showing by our lads secured victory. Two goals apiece from our deadly full forward duo of Kyle Yoxall and Jack Delaney were complimented by points from David Ahern and Liam Swords. At the other end Seán McCannon and Oisín Cotter organised an impenetrable defensive shield.
All the team’s hard work resulted in Team Amber sitting on a healthy half-time lead of 0-11….4-2 to 0-3. In the second half Na Gaeil, to their credit, refused to throw in the towel but the Team Amber defence held firm and a goal and point from Jack Delaney was enough to ensure that Team Amber had deservedly run out winners at the end of game time.
Who was our Man-of-the-Match? Jack Delaney lead from the front with a haul of 3-1 in another superb squad effort; Jack was also seen to good effect dropping in to midfield in the 2nd half and encouraging his teammates to further effort. The John Mitchel Club boys await us in the final. We’ll need a 100% effort from every one of the 30 boys on the Team Amber panel this Tuesday and Thursday in preparation for Sunday’s final. Let’s ‘up’ our skills a little more, boys!
An exciting Black‘n’Amber v Green‘n’Gold final awaits us! Thanks to Na Gaeil for another gripping encounter and thanks to the referee for his handling of the game. Team Amber: Seán McCannon, Ediart Topali, Oisín Cotter, Diarmuid Hennessy, Conor Murphy, Liam Swords, Alex Dafoor, Karol Kowalczyk, David Ahern, Noah Reidy, Oran O’Donoghue, Kyle Yoxall, Jack Delaney, Nathan Hurley, Séamus Keenan, Nathan O’Connor, Mark Foley, Conor Hanafin Ewan Canty.
PEIL FAOI 14: The boys who gave a good account of themselves in the recent Lee StrandMilk Tournament in Connolly Park: Seán Clifford, Conor O’Regan, Adam Johnston, Eoghan Murphy, Rian Walsh, Eoin Mangan, Ben Litchfield, Denis Brassil, Micheal Cotter, Alex Touhy, Aodhán Horgan, Brian Kavanagh, Rory Lynch, Jake Carmody, Jack Shanahan, Jack Diggin, Denis Griffin, Jay O’Connor, Rory Kavanagh, Paddy Lucid, Max Grzybowski, Jayden Moriarty, Vinny Moriarty, Darragh Lyons, Barry Laide, Gabriel Maszorek, Tadhg Falvey, Harry Murphy.
PEIL FAOI 15 – CEANTAR THRÁ LÍ: An outstanding display of Gaelic football was given in the recent Kerry U15 County Championship Final between Tralee District and Castleisland District. A kick of the ball separated the sides at the final whistle….a great last-minute long-distance free by Ronan Carroll gave a 0-1 victory to Tralee. This encounter exhibited all that’s wonderful in Gaelic football and was a joy to watch. We witnessed great forward play, accurate movement of the ball, well-placed passes and well-drilled defences. The play was open, honest and very skilful. Tralee’s ‘Black’n’Whites’ settled well sa chéad leath. We saw Ryan O’Driscoll’s great ‘mark’ that led to Ben Murphy’s brilliant goal and, shortly after, Ryan himself pointed a left-footed ‘beauty’.
Several ‘daylight robberies’ were committed by the ever-alert Boa Foley….he was like a terrier shouldering a greyhound and grasping the hare!
Olivier Lata’s kick-outs were accurate and well-placed and greatly helped the Tralee cause. In the latter part of the first half, the ‘Island boys began to dominate, go mór mór timpeall lár na páirce, and that dominance continued early in the second half.
However, the ‘Strand of the Lee’ players ‘upped’ their resolve and found new energy. Ryan’s second point of the second half could easily have been a goal. We read 1-11 to 1-10 on the scoreboard.
Our boys were ‘coming’! Gavin Ó Cathasaigh levelled with a ‘beauty’ after really outstanding play by Tralee. Again we saw another very important terrier-like interception by Bao.
A Gearóid ‘free’ brought us level but the ‘Islanders stole ahead once again! Hearts throbbed as a Ronan ‘free’ brought us parity. Jamie Mc pushed us ahead but we were hauled back. Another beautiful point by Gavin and we seemed to be over the line! Relief….but our lads ‘played around,’ tried to hold possession and lost the ball. Castleisland attacked dangerously. Saorchic isteach d’Oileán Ciarraí….1-15 v 1-15! Ó, a Thiarcais, an raibh deireadh linn? Another free….for us….that aforementioned great great last-minute long-distance free by Ronan Carroll gave a 0-1 victory to Tralee.
The cheering from stand and terrace was an ‘ode to joy’! Corn an bhua! A game to savour! A night to remember!
Foireann bhuacach ghaisciúil Thrá Lí: (AdeS); Bao Foley (AdeS), Brendan Meehan (K-O’R), Liam O’Connell (AdeS); Conor Dennehy (JM), Fionnán Ryan (AdeS), David Sergent (JM); Ben Murphy (captaen)(AdeS)(1-0), Ronan Carroll (AdeS)(0-3, frees); Brayden Pierse (K-O’R); Gavin Casey (AdeS)(0-2), Cormac Bastible (AdeS); Gearóid White (JM)(0-3, 2 frees), Ryan O’Driscoll (leaschaptaen)(AdeS)(0-6), Jamie McCarthy (JM)(0-2). Fir ionaid: Ruairí Kennedy (K-O’R), Cody O’Sullivan (JM), Alex Tuohy (AdeS), Max Maszorek (AdeS), Nick Lacey (K-O’R), Rory Lynch (AdeS), Fionnán Brosnan (JM), Oisín Brosnan (JM), Leon Sweeney (AdeS), Luke O’Sullivan (JM), Aaron Horgan (K-O’R), Killian O’Donnell (JM),Rian Walsh (AdeS). ‘Well done’ to Eddie Lacey, John Brosnan and Morgan O’Connell.
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PEIL FAOI 15 – AN CLUB: (i) The result of the Kelliher’s Garage Central Region U15 Division 1A Final: Laune Rangers 0-12 Austin Stacks 2-11. Our two first half goals proved to be the difference between the sides in an otherwise closely contested and entertaining game at the John Mitchel Club pitch, Ballyseedy, on Wednesday 7th. Outstanding football was played by The Rock against a good and determined group of Launeside players.
The Central Region U15 Division 1 Shield was presented to joint captains, Leon O’Connor and Gavin Casey. Well done, boys, on a great victory! And…‘well done’ to our mentors…and parents. (ii) |Our club’s Division 5 warriors took on Ballymac in their final on Monday last ar an gCnoc Gorm. Well done, boys!
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BACK TO SCHOOL: Keep up the learning, boys! Ní hualach do dhuine an fhoghlaim (learning is no encumbrance)!
PEIL FAOI 17: ‘Well done’ to our minors who, having defeated Na Crócaigh, have reached the club championship final against Keel/Listry. Team: Michael Tansley; Seán Moynihan, Colm de Brún, James Fisher; Pádraig Ó hAllmharáin, Luke Ó Cathasaigh (captaen), Seán Heaslip; Daniel Ó Ciarba, Ben Murphy; Thomas Deregee, Ronan Carroll, Ryan O’Driscoll; Aaron Nolan, Paddy Lane, Damien Hogan; Noah Townsend, Jack Ó Murchú, David Lucid, Donnacha Horgan, Gavin Ó Cathasaigh. The juvenile section of the club is so happy and proud to see these lads, who have played their way through our underage structures, reach the heights of a minor county final. Éacht agus mórghaise, a leaideanna na Carraige!
COLÁISTÍ: Good wishes to all Rock lads who’ll be playing in upcoming college matches.
CLUB LOTTO: Thanks to all who support and promote our club lotto: (i) Paudie Commane’s Bookshop, Rock Street, (ii) The Burger Shack, Monavalley, (iii) O’Flynn Interiors (Malachy Nagle), Lower Rock Street, (iv) Kirbys’ Brogue Inn, Lower Rock Street, (v) Husseys’ Deli, Prince’s Quay, (vi) Carmel O’Neill, (vii) Maguires’ Butcher Shop, Caherslee, (viii) Barrys’ Supermarket, Upper Rock Street, (ix) www.austinstacks.ie (x) and/or onhttps://play.clubforce.com/play_newa.asp?ll_id=X529#Anchor
AN SIOPA: Items are available to order on www.oneills.ie. The Ganzee Club Clothing Collection is available in all sizes. Check out all the style ranges in hoodies, t-shirts and sweatshirts on www.ganzee.ie/austin-stacks-gaa-clubs/
CHAMPIONSHIP: ‘Well done’ to our seniors v Na Gaeil (and best wishes v Neidín).
SCÓR NA SINSEAR: Kerry County Final: 7th October. Munster Final: 18th October.
The new season at Tralee Boxing Club got off to a flying start last week, with a massive turnout for registration night on Monday 5th.
Classes have been at full capacity all week long, with our regular boxers and new members alike, clamouring to get back to a good fitness routine after the summer holidays. We are delighted to see all the crew again, ready to get back to fighting fitness.
TBC would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest members, we have a very experienced coaching team this season, who are more than happy to share their vast set of boxing skills and knowledge with all boxers, regardless of experience levels.
We encourage all our new team members to approach the trainers and to ask as many questions as they like while learning the ropes.
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Noel and Tommy Kelliher, along with Seamus O Mahoney are stalwarts of the club, and well known in Kerry boxing circles for their years of experience and success as both boxers and coaches. Following in their footsteps, we also have qualified coaches and ex boxers, Sean, Bryan, Lee and Simon.
Rounding out the coaching team, a dedicated group of coaching assistants, Jimmy, Willy, Lynda, Nikki, Nora, Joe and Claire, are the icing on the cake, making this year’s team one of the strongest in the county.
Tralee Boxing Club also launched the last leg of its integration through boxing project this month. We have welcomed approximately 35 new Ukrainian boxers of all ages to our club for the month, in an effort to welcome more people into our community through the sport.
We are fortunate to have highly enthusiastic, hard working participants in the project and hope they come to feel at home in the club. We wish all our boxers will continue to enjoy the positive, encouraging, atmosphere that we’ve had at training sessions so far.
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Finally TBC would like to wish all our competitive boxers the very best of luck next weekend in the John Mahon Tournament in Limerick. Dmitrii, Joe, Oisin and Jayden have all been putting in fantastic work over the last few weeks to get into fighting shape. We’re incredibly proud of them all here at the club and wish them every success in the ring next weekend.
FOUR community projects will receive funding of €129,292.75 under the CLÁR programme.
Under this round of CLÁR funding, sports clubs, schools and community groups will receive grants of up to €50,000 to develop a range of projects that will benefit people of all ages.
The successful projects include astroturf pitches, community gyms, playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, outdoor pool tables, outdoor cinemas, walkways, public toilets and car park facilities.
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The four successful projects receiving funding today are:
• Duagh Sports and Leisure Complex is receiving €50,000 for the expansion of the car park at the Duagh Sports and Leisure Complex.
• Kerry Parents and Friends, Valentia is receiving €42,792 for the development of a sensory garden at Tigh an Oileáin, Valentia Island.
• Scoil Naisiunta on Fhaill Mhor (Foilmore NS) is receiving €31,500 for the resurfacing and improvements to the car parking area.
• Kilflynn Community Together is receiving €5,000 to develop the Kilflynn Nature Garden
Welcoming the news, Kerry Fianna Fáil TD and Minister for Education, Norma Foley said: “I am delighted that four key community projects and organisations in Kerry are being supported through this tranche of CLÁR funding.
“This round of CLÁR investment will help to enhance and upgrade a range vital outdoor community amenities, from car parks to sensory gardens, which greatly enrich and improve the local amenities in those areas.”
.David Clifford and his Kerry team mates will be at Kingdom Greyhound Stadium this Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
KINGDOM Greyhound Stadium is sure to have a healthy attendance on this Friday night as part of the Kerry GAA Fundraiser in aid of the Kerry Teams Training Fund.
The victorious Kerry senior football team and Sam Maguire will be in attendance as well as the Kerry Senior Hurling Team.
There will be a 12 race programme and all the Kerry GAA Clubs will be paired with a dog on the night in the Club Championship Event.
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The 12 winning clubs from each race are then placed in a draw and the first club drawn will receive the top prize of €1,000. Five other clubs will also receive consolation prizes.
This will be an opportunity to meet all the Kerry stars up close for photos and selfies with Sam.
There will also be a Best Dressed Lady sponsored by Jasmine Boutique Tralee and a Best Dressed Man sponsored by Sean Hussey Menswear.
On the night there will be some great prizes to be won with the Best Dressed Young Kerry GAA Supporter Competition that will be judged by David Clifford.
With face painting and other kids activities on the night, fabulous raffle prizes up for grabs and music before and after racing, it’s a night for all the family. Gates open at 6.30pm with the first of 12 races off at 7.46pm.
ORGANISERS behind the inaugural ‘Automobili Italia Tralee’ car show this weekend have plans to expand the event into a full festival celebrating Italian culture in the town.
Automobili Italia Tralee will take place on Friday and Saturday. Close to 100 cars, motorbikes and even tractors and vans will assemble at the FBD Insurance/Peevers Slye Cotter car park on Dan Spring Road on Friday for an evening of craic and conversation.
A live DJ will entertain fans – and all are welcome to attend – and it promises to be a great evening of Italian car culture.
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Already there are several Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Alfa Romeos confirmed for the show. Several Ducati motorcycles will be on display and there is hope that at least one Aprilia road racing bike will be there too.
On Saturday the group will set off on a tour of West Kerry before returning to the Rose Hotel for a social evening.
Last week, event organisers canvassed participants in the Cannonball Ireland event that overnighted in Killarney and more exotic cars are expected as a result of this.
They hope to grow the event into a celebration of Italian culture in the future. “Look at all the Italian restaurants in town, I count at least seven,” said organiser Rory Kerins.
“This could grow and expand in years two and three, into a full-blown Italian festival, with music, food and all that goes with it. It is niche and that is what will make it special.”
The first cars are expected in Tralee after 6pm on Friday with more arriving each hour. Spectators are welcome to attend both days – funds are being raised for the Irish Wheelchair Association.
SINN Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, has called on the government to invest in Haematology Services in University Hospital Kerry.
Deputy Daly says he has been hearing from patients and hospital staff about deficiencies in Haematology services in the hospital.
“Before the Dáil broke in July, I raised the issue of paediatric oncology services asking for better coordination around care, and more haematology and oncology services to be facilitated in UHK,” said Deputy Daly.
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“Many of these patients already feel unwell and travel to Cork University Hospital (CUH) or further afield which places unnecessary stress and financial burden on families. I was informed that the current model was working well for patients, with the appropriate level of care being provided.
“Since then, I have discussed the lack of haematology services further with patients and medical staff and it is clear that the HSE must address these by investing in three key areas.
“Establish a Haematology Day Ward in UHK to enhance patient care locally. To facilitate this, ten spaces that provide the requisite beds or chair, and associated sinks and waste receptacles, are required.
“Patients with blood cancers should be treated in UHK. These patients, and any patient undergoing systemic treatment, will require multiple visits at scheduled intervals over weeks and months. It is reasonable to expect that these patients are treated closer to home.”
“An ‘Isolator’ is required to ensure that chemotherapy products are prepared and dispensed in a sterile environment. Presently, I am informed that the Isolator in CUH is inoperable for a fortnight which has resulted in essential treatments being deferred. The provision of an Isolator in UHK would enable CUH and UHK to work together and load balance.”
“There is an urgent need to recruit laboratory staff. At the moment there is a Rota of 1 in 5 for Haematology staff, while the recommended Rota is 1 in 10. Staff are burnt out and there is no recovery period.”
“The recruitment of staff is critical as sources in the health service tell me that laboratories must be accredited by INAB (Irish National Accreditation Board). I am informed, for example, that bone marrow cannot be tested in UHK due to the time consuming nature of the process and the lack of staff. If accreditation is lost, then major services such as maternity, surgery, acute medical care and A&E cannot go ahead. This would compromise UHK’s Model 3 status.
“Two Consultant Haematologists have been hired but this is not enough and more staff is needed, which the Union has also been calling for. Government must address this under-investment in UHK and ensure that the appropriate level of care is truly available not only in Kerry, but in the South / South West region,” said Deputy Daly.
A BOOK of Condolences for the late Queen Elizabeth II has been opened at the offices of Kerry County Council at County Buildings, Rathass, Tralee.
ORGANISERS behind the inaugural ‘Automobili Italia Tralee’ car show this weekend have plans to expand the event into a full festival celebrating Italian culture in the town.
SINN Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, has called on the government to invest in Haematology Services in University Hospital Kerry.