Tag Archives: Livelife Foundation

VIDEO/PHOTOS: Hundreds Enjoy LiveLife Film Competition Awards

February 11, 2016 Stephen Roche

At the Live Life Film Awards were, from left Nicola O'Sullivan, Fionnbar Walsh and Susan Lawlor. Photo by Gavin O'Connor. — At the Live Life Film Awards were, from left; Nicola O’Sullivan, Fionnbar Walsh and Susan Lawlor. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

THE awards presentation for the Donal Walsh LiveLife Film Competition took place at the ‘Live Life Love’ day on Wednesday, at the Brandon Conference Centre, in Tralee.

The event, which is now in its third year, had over 700 attendees, and was in honour of Donal, a special teenager who spread the message of the importance of living life.

The first place winners on the day were Scoil an Spoirid Naomh in the Primary Schools Section, Darragh Clarke of Mercy Mounthawk in the Secondary School Section and Malcolm Willis and Noel McElligott in the Adult Section (see full results below).

Continued below…

The theme for the competition this year was ‘Live Life, Our World’. There were three categories – primary school, secondary school, and adult – and the shortlisted films of each category were screened and the overall winners were announced.

At the event, Kerry Footballers, Marc Ó Sé and Aidan O’Mahony, spoke about the legacy and the impact Donal has left behind while headlining act, Hermitage Green, supplied the music.

There were performances by Chapter 2, Paulie O’Brien, and 12 year old Joshua Roche while The Animal Roadshow brought along their animals for attendees to interact with.

Mary Lucey of the Live Life Foundation said: “Live Life Love Day is in its third annual event and in honour of Donal Walsh and the accumulation of months of work for the national film competition. The whole idea is that people capture the world and living life to the full in a two minute clip.”

“There are over 700 attending today and we’ll be screening the shortlisted films and the awards will be sponsored by Dairymaster. All the bands are giving up their time to play.” she said.

Fionnbar Walsh, father of Donal, spoke about the event; “It’s doubled in size every year and we have 60 films entered into the event and it’s all to spread the message Donal started about living life, enjoying it, and making the most of it.

“There’s schools from all over the country. There’s schools from Dublin, Wexford, Kerry. Schools from vertically all over. It’s just amazing how it has caught on. The theme of the films is to Live Life and you have to show how you feel about living life,” he said.

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Schoolchildren and Teachers of Ardfert National School, who were highly commended for their entry into the Donal Walsh Film Competition — Schoolchildren and teachers of Ardfert National School, who were highly commended for their entry into the Donal Walsh Film Competition

Ardfert National School was among those highly commended for their entry into the Primary Schools’ category of the the highly competitive competition.

One of the teachers, who helped the children produce the film, spoke: “The film was a collaboration between Ardfert, Killury and Abbeydorney National Schools. The schools came together and made a project and it focused on all the animals and the variety of life in our world and how much we have to do to protect them because it’s their world too.”

The IT Tralee TV & Film Society was also awarded as runners up for their entry in the Adult category of the competition.

Michael Simpson, who accepted the award on behalf of the society, spoke: “We made it as the I.T Tralee TV & Film Society but because of the timetable, we only saw the deadline for entry two days before it. Within six hours we had to come up with an idea and film it.”

“Our film is to show how each person can have their hobbies and be their own individuals within the college. We can make their world into our world and keep it seen. We are very happy with the outcome of it,” he continued.

“It was stressful to make it because we only had six hours and I was sitting up in college on my own trying to edit it as quick as I could; but it was very rewarding because of the lessons and skills learned from it,” he said.

The film can be watched below…

The society were runners up to a winning film of a high standard, which was written and directed by Killarney native, Malcolm Willis.

His film started as dark and atmospheric but had a great twist which brought to light the importance of living life.

Primary Schools Section

Highly Commended

• St Joseph’s National School
• Scoil Eoin Balloonagh
• Ardfert, Killury and Abbeydorney National Schools

Finalists:

• Third Place: CBS Primary School
• Second Place: Spa National School
• First Place: Scoil an Spoirid Naomh

Secondary School Section:

Highly Commended:

• Anton De Arribas De Renedo, St Brendan’s College, Bray
•Kevin Langon, Colaiste na Riochta, Listowel
• Leah Fleming, Loreto College Ballybriggan, Dublin

Finalists:

• Third Place: Shane Costello Mercy Mounthawk
• Second Place: Alan Holland, Pobal Isolde Palmerstown
• First Place: Darragh Clark, Mercy Mounthawk

Adult Finalists:

• Third Place: Richie O Connell Cork College of Commerce
• Second Place: ITT TV and Film Society
• First Place: Malcolm Willis and Noel McElligott

Scroll down for photos…

At the Life Life Film Awards were Tralee CBS Primary School pupils with Kerry footballer, Marc O'Se and Aidan Mahony, rock band, Heritage Green and Fionbarr Walsh. Photo by Gavin O'Connor. — At the Life Life Film Awards were Tralee CBS Primary School pupils with Kerry footballer, Marc O’Se and Aidan Mahony, rock band, Heritage Green and Fionnbar Walsh. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

Having fun with an iguana at the Live Life Film Awards were, from left: Rebecca Crowley and Peppy Fitzgerald from Ardfert National School. Photo by Gavin O'Connor. — Having fun with an iguana at the Live Life Film Awards were, from left: Rebecca Crowley and Peppy Fitzgerald from Ardfert National School. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

At the Life Life Film Awards with Kerry footballers, Marc O'Se and Aidan O'Mahony were Presentaion Secondary School students, from left: Laura Donnelly, Aoife Dillane, Emma Slattery, Eva McCormick, Roisin Curran, Elizabeth Meehan, Eva Kelliher and Claire Tansley. Photo by Gavin O'Connor. — At the Life Life Film Awards with Kerry footballers, Marc O’Se and Aidan O’Mahony were Presentaion Secondary School students, from left: Laura Donnelly, Aoife Dillane, Emma Slattery, Eva McCormick, Roisin Curran, Elizabeth Meehan, Eva Kelliher and Claire Tansley. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

At the Live Life Film Awards with the band Hermitage Green were Presentation Secondary School students, from left: Maeve Pearse, Anna Sheehy, Muirne Scanlon and Sarah Campion.

At the Life Life Film Awards with Kerry footballers Marc O'Se and Aidan O'Mahony with Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn pupils. Photo by Gavin O'Connor. — At the Life Life Film Awards with Kerry footballers Marc O’Se and Aidan O’Mahony with Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn pupils. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

At the Life Life Film Awards were, from left: Saoirse Mhaoldomhnaigh, Cheyene Tanuir, Katrina Uie Churrain, Ciara Derath and Aisling Ni Ainifein. Photo by Gavin O'Connor. — At the Life Life Film Awards were, from left: Saoirse Mhaoldomhnaigh, Cheyene Tanuir, Katrina Ui Churrain, Ciara De Rath and Aisling Ni hAiniféin. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

Lifestyle, News

LiveLife Foundation Benefits From Killarney Cycling Event

November 3, 2015 Dermot Crean

Fionnbar Walsh accepts a cheque for €1815 from Sean Mulchinock, Event Manager for The Wrong Way Round Cycle which was raised by over 400 cyclists for the Donal Walsh Life Foundation when they took part in The Wrong Way Round Cycling Festival in August. Cycling enthusiasts from all over Ireland travelled to Killarney for the festival where they journeyed along the stunning Ring of Kerry in the opposite direction to the traditional anti-clockwise route and also The Hard Way Round which took in Ballaghbeama, Ballaghasheen and the infamous Coomaneaspaig climb. Photo: Don MacMonagle Repro free photo... Press release: Cycling enthusiasts from all over Ireland travelled to Killarney for the festival where they journeyed along the stunning Ring of Kerry in the opposite direction to the traditional anti-clockwise route and also The Hard Way Round which took in Ballaghbeama, Ballaghasheen and the infamous Coomaneaspaig climb. The festivities kicked off at The Gleneagle Hotel where participants fuelled up on porridge before heading off on their grueling cycles. There were further food stops dotted along the 160km and 180km routes and all participants successfully crossed the finish line by the early afternoon where they were welcomed with an outdoor party and live entertainment. “We were delighted with the turnout for year two of the Wrong Way Round and congratulate all the riders who took up the challenge and endured rain, sunshine and showers. We look forward to growing the event in 2016,” said Event Manager, Sean Mulchinock. The Donal Walsh life Foundation is a charity set up by the family of Kerry teenager Donal Walsh who, during his short life, fundraised tirelessly to provide age appropriate teenage facilities in hospital and hospice centres as well as promoting his anti-suicide message. Donal’s parents Fionnbar and Elma continue the message of teen suicide that he started by visiting schools, community centres and churches throughout Ireland. To date over €300,000 has been raised with over €250,000 used in providing Donal Walsh Rooms in all Pieta and Console Houses across the country. They are also providing teenage rooms in Milford Hospice and in the new Tralee Hospice. Next year’s Wrong Way Round Cycling Festival will take place on Saturday, August 27 for further information and regular updates check out www.killarneycyclingfestival.com or email info@killarneycyclingfestival.com — Fionnbar Walsh accepts a cheque for €1815 from Sean Mulchinock, Event Manager for The Wrong Way Round Cycle Photo: Don MacMonagle

THE Donal Walsh LiveLife Foundation was the grateful recipient of funds raised from a cycling event held on the Ring Of Kerry earlier this year.

The Wrong Way Round Cycle held in August saw over 400 cycling enthusiasts from all over Ireland travelled to Killarney for the festival where they journeyed along the stunning Ring of Kerry in the opposite direction to the traditional anti-clockwise route and also The Hard Way Round which took in Ballaghbeama, Ballaghasheen and the infamous Coomaneaspaig climb.

The event was managed to raise funds for a great cause and Fionnbar Walsh accepted a cheque for €1,815 from Sean Mulchinock, Event Manager for The Wrong Way Round Cycleon behalf of the Donal Walsh Life Foundation on Tuesday.

The Donal Walsh life Foundation – the charity set up by the family of Kerry teenager Donal Walsh who, during his short life, fundraised tirelessly to provide age appropriate teenage facilities in hospital and hospice centres as well as promoting his anti-suicide message – has
to date raised over €300,000 with over €250,000 used in providing Donal Walsh Rooms in all Pieta and Console Houses across the country.

They are also providing teenage rooms in Milford Hospice and in the new Tralee Hospice.

The next year’s Wrong Way Round Cycling Festival will take place on Saturday, August 27 for further information and regular updates check out www.killarneycyclingfestival.com or email info@killarneycyclingfestival.com

Entertainment, News

VIDEO: Christmas Day TV Screening Of Cycle To Bring Donal Walsh’s Message To Rome

December 9, 2014 Dermot Crean

A TV special which captures the Home To Rome Cycle which took place earlier this year, will be screened on Christmas Day on Irish TV.

The cycle, which brought Donal Walsh’s LiveLife message from Tralee to the Vatican, raised €170,000 for 24 different cancer charities.

Tom Foley, Tralee, Maurice Brosnan from Scartaglin and Tony Galwey, Currow, and many other cyclists from all over the country took part, while Caroline McConnell from Tralee was a medic with the group.

They began their 2,060km journey to the Eternal City from St John’s Church on Wednesday, June 19 and finished up at The Vatican on July 5.

The participants were honoured by the Tralee Municipal District of Kerry County Council last month for their efforts.

A camera crew from Irish TV followed the cycle and produced a one hour documentary that will be screened at 9pm on Christmas Day on Channel 191 if you have Sky TV.

If you don’t have Sky, you can also catch it on Free to Air, Freesat 400, eVision boxes or online at http://www.irishtv.ie/

Here’s a preview of what to expect…

Post by Brian Hurley.

Sport

PHOTOS: Fans Flock To Fels Point To Meet Nicholas Roche

October 8, 2014 Gavin O'Connor

Katie and Dara Reidy, with Tour de France cyclist, Nicolas Roche. Photo by Gavin O'Connor. — Katie and Dara Reidy, with Tour de France cyclist, Nihcolas Roche. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

TOUR DE FRANCE cyclist, Nicholas Roche, came to the Fels Point Hotel on Monday night as part of an event to raise funds for the Donal Walsh LiveLife foundation.

A crowd of around 250 cycling fans greeted the ‘Le Tour’ rider. It was a thrill for young fans in particular, who got a chance to meet one of their heroes.

A true pro, Nicholas was more than happy to sign autographs, take selfies and have a brief chat with the kids that congregated around him.

“It’s quite a long time since I’ve been around this part of Ireland, I haven’t been here since I was around 16. It’s great to be back down here,” said Nicholas.

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“Cycling is getting bigger in Ireland every year, during the tour I always see Irish flags on the side of the road and it’s always a great lift. But I know a lot of people who wish me well can’t be there, so these nights are a opportunity to meet those people who give me such support,” said Nicholas.

After the meet and greet with fans, Nicholas, spoke on stage in an interview with Radio Kerry’s Weeshie Fogarty. After that, the floor was opened to attendees to ask Nicholas about the sport and his life as an elite cyclist.

Roche, who is the son of former Tour de France winner, Stephen, has just signed up for one of the top teams in the world, Team Sky, the home of last year’s tour winner, Chris Froome.

Event organiser, Joe O’Shea, had these words to say about the visit from one of the world’s best riders.

“Nicholas is very impressed by how much Donal Walsh inspired people, we’re hoping to have a sportive someday and have Nicholas Roche be our main rider.”

“He’s a really down to earth guy, top riders don’t have much time when they are off, so the fact he came down here to help us out shows what a good guy he is,” said Joe.

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