.Sam and Elaine O’Sullivan at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on St Stephen’s Day. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT was a wet Saturday morning but there was a decent turnout for the annual Bill Kirby Memorial Walk in aid of the Kerry Hospice.
The rain teemed down but around 200 showed up for the walk with Mike Gaffney and friends keeping spirits up playing music before the participants headed away to walk off the excesses of the day before.
Walkers left Kirby’s Brogue Inn at around 11.30am, went up Rock Street up Monavalley, over to the Bracker O’Regan Road, down Caherslee then back to The Rock through Pembroke Street.
Fiona and Kevin from the Brogue then generously supplied some free hot drinks and scones for the drenched walkers to warm them up.
The St Stephen’s Day event has raised €273,000 to date for charity ever since it began as a fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society back in 1999. Since 2006, all money raised has gone to the Kerry Hospice.
Organised by Michael ‘Fox’ O’Connor, the day has become a real tradition in town and long may it last.
Scroll down for photos…
Terry O’Sullivan with (in front) Bríd, Aine (left) and Aoife O’Sullivan at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on St Stephen’s Day. Photo by Dermot CreanDermot and Susan Leen at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on St Stephen’s Day. Photo by Dermot Crean.Frank Greaney, Brendan Hurley and Sam Locke at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on St Stephen’s Day. Photo by Dermot CreanNora and Lisa Curran, Cora and Anne Savage at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on St Stephen’s Day. Photo by Dermot Crean.Michael and Sandra O’Connell at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on St Stephen’s Day. Photo by Dermot CreanAndrea O’Donoghue, Grace Clifford, Frances Sheehy and Carmel Quilter O’Neill at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on St Stephen’s Day. Photo by Dermot Crean.Crowds gather for the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on St Stephen’s Day. Photo by Dermot CreanSetting off on the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on St Stephen’s Day. Photo by Dermot CreanMike Moriarty setting off on the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on St Stephen’s Day. Photo by Dermot CreanSetting off on the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on St Stephen’s Day. Photo by Dermot CreanSetting off on the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on St Stephen’s Day. Photo by Dermot CreanSetting off on the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on St Stephen’s Day. Photo by Dermot CreanSetting off on the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on St Stephen’s Day. Photo by Dermot CreanSetting off on the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on St Stephen’s Day. Photo by Dermot CreanSetting off on the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on St Stephen’s Day. Photo by Dermot Crean
Colin ‘Poshey’ Aherne and Lorraine Bowler holding the logo for the ‘Kerry Walk 4 Life’ campaign.
APRIL 25 is a date that should be firmly marked on your calendars for the ‘Walk 4 Life’ event that will be taking place at 8pm leaving from Tralee Bay Wetlands.
The 5km walk is being held to raise awareness about mental health and suicide awareness/prevention (click here to read our previous story on the event).
New details about the day have come to light about the event that promises to be a very special occasion for all involved.
There will be a registration night for those who have not yet done so on the night of April 24 (the night before the walk) from 6-9pm.
People who have registered will be able to come down on that night as well to collect their registration packs.
All of this will take place from 6-9pm in the signposted ‘Aras An Phobail’ building on Dean’s Lane building near the library here in town.
Registration packs for the event will cost €10 and will consist of a tee light, ‘Walk 4 Life’ wristbands, green ribbon, high visibility jacket and a flyer that has the information the help available to people in Kerry.
On the night of the walk (April 25) the sound of African drums will be there to greet you at the start of the walk as everyone gets ready to set off.
Afterwards you can expect to hear the both dulcet tones of the local KDYS rap group as they perform their songs for the ‘Walk 4 Life’ campaign, and those present will hear from a guest speaker who will be giving a short talk on mental health and suicide awareness.
Official ‘Walk 4 Life’ poster.
Tea and coffee refreshments will also be on hand afterwards also coupled with the lighting of tee lights.
All proceeds from the event will be going to the chosen charities such as ‘Jigsaw Kerry’, ‘Pieta House’, ‘Be Aware Prevent Suicide’ and ‘The Kerry Peer Support Network’.
Any queries can be directed toward the email at: walk4life2015@gmail.com.
If you feel like you need to talk to anyone, then you can get in contact with the relevant services through the numbers below.
Mary Bowler and Ashley O’Shea at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT was a pretty miserable morning but the mood of the people who gathered outside the Brogue on Friday did not mirror the weather.
Everyone in the crowd of a few hundred people was in high spirits at the Rock Street venue before the start of the annual Bill Kirby Memorial Walk.
There was music and refreshments, with buckets passed around if anybody wanted to make a donation for the Palliative Care Unit in Kerry General Hospital.
Continued below…
Members of Born To Run club were also there to run the four mile route.
Organised by Michael ‘Fox’ O’Connor, the day, which has become a real tradition in town, was another great success and participants warmed up after with hot drinks back in the Brogue Inn.
Scroll down for a short video of the start of the walk and photos below…
Running participants take off at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanCarmel, Katie and Mike Ross at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Carmel Quinn, Barry Magee and Niamh Abeyta at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanRunners at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Alan and Sharon Mulgrew, Pauline Burke Crean,Taufeef Haq and Catherine Moylan at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanMarilyn and Danny O’Shea at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanMichelle and Niamh O’Sullivan at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanTaking off at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanJessica and Jill Harrington at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanClaire and Kathy O’Doherty at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanRunners at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanThe crowd gathers at the Bill Kirby Memorial Walk from Kirby’s Brogue Inn on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Sean Prendergast (front left) of the Kerry Cancer Support Group accepts a cheque from Jimmy Wrenn, the proceeds of the annual Jamie Wrenn Memorial Walk from Tralee to Castlegregory. Also included are Sandra Finn, Garda Deirdre Quinn, Jamie Wrenn, Mary Lynch, Joanne Dowling and Jerry Flynn. Photo by Dermot Crean
AN incredible €13,239.50 was raised for the Kerry/Cork Health Link Bus from the annual Jamie Wrenn Memorial Walk which took place in late July.
This brings the total from the last four years of the walk to €54,813, all of which has gone towards the vital bus service, run by the Kerry Cancer Support Group, which transfers cancer patients to and from Cork University Hospital.
Continued below…
The walk, from Tralee to Castlegregory, was founded in the early 2000s by Castle’ native, Jamie Wrenn. He wanted to give something back to Kerry General Hospital when he suffered from Cancer around that time. Jamie died five years ago, but after a break of a year, the walk was revived and for the last four years, funds have gone towards the Kerry Cancer Support Services.
Jamie’s son, Jimmy, who took part in the walk in July, was on hand to present the cheque on Thursday night.
“I’m just delighted that my father is still being remembered and it’s a great cause,” said Jimmy. “Well done to the Kerry Cancer Support Services for reviving it. I’m just glad to be associated with it,” he said.
Sean Prendergast of Kerry Cancer Support Services is delighted with the amount of money raised over the years.
“We’re very proud to be associated with the Jamie Wrenn walk. It’s a huge amount raised over the past four years. Mary Lynch and Jamie’s son Jimmy got together with ourselves and resurrected the walk and it’s grown year on year to be a huge success,” said Sean.
Susan, Bernadette and Linda Browne, Fenit, taking part in the Jamie Wrenn Memorial Walk from Tralee to Castlegregory in aid of the Kerry Cancer Support Group. Photo by Dermot Crean
OVER 80 people set off from the Aqua Dome on Saturday morning for the annual Jamie Wrenn Memorial Walk to Castlegregory.
The event was founded in the early 2000s by Castlegregory native, Jamie Wrenn, who died five years ago. He wanted to give something back to Kerry General Hospital when he suffered from Cancer around that time but for the last four years, funds have gone towards the Kerry Cancer Support Services.
The walk has raised a great sum of money over the years as Sean Prendergast of Kerry Cancer Support Group explained.
“It’s one of our biggest fundraisers. We’ve run it for the past four years and it’s raised in the region of €40,000 and went a long way to buying our bus, so Castlegregory people have been very supportive,” he said.
Jamie’s son, Jimmy, who now lives in Tralee, was also there to do the walk.
Continued below…
“My dad started it around 2001 because he was a cancer sufferer himself and he wanted to give something back to the hospital. It mushroomed from there but unfortunately when he passed five years ago it lapsed for a year or two. Then Mary Lynch of Kerry Cancer Support Group got in contact with me and asked could we revive it and I said ‘no problem’,” said Jimmy.
“It’s a very proud day for me. Over the years it’s raised about €100,000 for the hospital and Kerry Cancer Support Group so it’s for a great cause,” said Jimmy.
The walkers set off at 10am and stopped in Curraheen for fruit and water before being treated to much-needed food by The Junction Bar in Camp. Then it was on to a short stop at the Seven Hogs before arriving in Castlegregory for 5pm.
They then enjoyed a sponsored barbecue in Ferriter’s Pub with music by the Castlegregory Ramblers. A great day was had and loads of money raised for a great support group.
Scroll down for photos…
Taking part in the Jamie Wrenn Memorial Walk from Tralee to Castlegregory in aid of the Kerry Cancer Support Group were Sarah Flynn and Maura Hennessy from Castlegregory. Photo by Dermot CreanCaroline Lynch, Niall Lucey, Mary Lynch and little Zoe Lucey before the start of the Jamie Wrenn Memorial Walk from Tralee to Castlegregory in aid of the Kerry Cancer Support Group. Photo by Dermot CreanAndy McGrath, Dublin, Janna Moriarty, Tralee and Vicky McCarthy, Tralee, before the start of the Jamie Wrenn Memorial Walk from Tralee to Castlegregory in aid of the Kerry Cancer Support Group. Photo by Dermot CreanParticipants begin the Jamie Wrenn Memorial Walk from the Aqua Dome in Tralee to Castlegregory in aid of the Kerry Cancer Support Group. Photo by Dermot CreanGrace and Abbey O’Sullivan with Hazel Browne and Marcella O’Sullivan, Castlegregory, taking part in the Jamie Wrenn Memorial Walk from Tralee to Castlegregory in aid of the Kerry Cancer Support Group. Photo by Dermot CreanTaking part in the Jamie Wrenn Memorial Walk from Tralee to Castlegregory in aid of the Kerry Cancer Support Group were Trish Kelly, Ardfert, James Loveridge, Oakpark, Margaret Gleasure Farmer, Tonevane and Chris Moloney, Listowel. Photo by Dermot CreanTaking part in the Jamie Wrenn Memorial Walk from Tralee to Castlegregory in aid of the Kerry Cancer Support Group were Edward and Margaret Hoare, Tralee. Photo by Dermot CreanColin and Mary Wallace, Doon, Tralee with Neil and Mary Daly, Farranfore, taking part in the Jamie Wrenn Memorial Walk from Tralee to Castlegregory in aid of the Kerry Cancer Support Group. Photo by Dermot CreanLauren Nolan, Emer O’Mahony, Lesley Sugrue and Ellie Sugrue, Tralee, taking part in the Jamie Wrenn Memorial Walk from Tralee to Castlegregory in aid of the Kerry Cancer Support Group. Photo by Dermot CreanJaneve and Bill Maguire, Ardfert, taking part in the Jamie Wrenn Memorial Walk from Tralee to Castlegregory in aid of the Kerry Cancer Support Group. Photo by Dermot CreanAt back; John O’Sullivan, Aoife O’Hanlon, Jerry Flynn, Koren O’Brien and Hannah McCarthy. In front; Mary Lynch, Sandra Breen and Garda Deirdre Quinn, before the start of the Jamie Wrenn Memorial Walk from Tralee to Castlegregory in aid of the Kerry Cancer Support Group. Photo by Dermot Crean
