LOCAL Community Garda Mary Gardiner has been announced as the Grand Marshal for this year’s St Patricks Day Parade in Tralee.
The Cork native is a hugely popular figure in Tralee and beyond, who has done amazing charity work since she was diagnosed with cancer back in early 2022.
Mary, who finished her successful treatments last month, has raised tens of thousands of euro for breast cancer research through various events last year.
Continued below…
.
She’ll take pride of place at the parade organised by Tralee Chamber in partnership with Kerry County Council on Friday week.
The highly anticipated event will once again showcase the best of rich Irish culture and community spirit. This year’s theme “Cúpla Focal” aims to honour and celebrate the Irish language and is expected to attract thousands of spectators to the streets of Tralee.
.Mighty Mikey Milk with Mary Gardiner and Teresa Walker Higgins at Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot Crean
AFTER a month of activities, Mary Gardiner completed her 100k in June for Cancer Research with a little help from her friends.
The popular local Garda, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in January, took to the road in the rain on Sunday afternoon accompanied by a couple of hundred people to finish her fundraising challenge which has raised over €25,000 so far.
The weather turned miserable just as the walkers set off from the Blennerville Windmill car park just after 12 noon, but nothing could dampen Mary’s spirits on the day.
Continued below…
.
“It’s unbelievable, especially given the weather conditions,” said Mary. “The support I’ve had all month has been amazing and today is the icing on the cake.
“It’s lovely to see all my basketball friends, Garda colleagues, friends and family from Cork, it’s absolutely unbelievable, we’ve turned Kerry pink. It’s a great boost,” she said.
Mary will undergo surgery today (Monday) and faces more treatment in the months ahead. She expressed her thanks to everyone who organised fundraising events and who contributed to the campaign over the last month.
It’s not over yet though, Andrea O’Donoghue is organising the annual Tony O’Donoghue Memorial Walk next Saturday from the Blennerville Windmill car park with funds raised going towards Mary’s campaign. Scroll down for photos…
Liz, Amber and Tara Galwey at Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot CreanMajella Kennedy, Tom Burke and Denis Kennedy at Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot Crean.Marguerite Walmsley, Sandra Hartnett, Siobhan O’Leary, Jacqui O’Connell and Fiona Cahill at Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot CreanSean and Anna Moriarty with Eileen and Charlotte Drislane at Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot Crean.Ruth Murphy, Una Lynch, Andrea O’Donoghue, Catherine Quane and Leanne Haussmann at Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot CreanCaroline Taylor and Montse Salvado at Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot Crean.Teresa Grimes, Alia Kate O’Mahony, Kingsley Belle O’Mahony and Leslie Grimes at Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot CreanAngeline Myers, Catriona Gogarty, Anne O’Halloran, Sharon O’Neill and Catherine Canty at Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot Crean.Charlotte Devane, Ethel Keane and Claire O’Sullivan at Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot CreanMichelle Collins, Katie Neill and Courtney Neill with Sarah, Padraig and Grace Collins with ‘Phoebe’ at Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot Crean.Mighty Mikey Milk with Mary Gardiner and Teresa Walker Higgins at Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot CreanJenny Pye, Sadie O’Donovan, TJ, Abbie and Joanne Ahern and Adam Pierse at Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot CreanBrid O’Connor, Trisha O’Shea, Aine McMahon, Kate Donnellan, Tracy O’Shea and Marie Janot from Team Fáilte, Killarney, at Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot CreanNiamh Daly, Michael ‘Fox’ O’Connor and Sarah Finnerty at Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot CreanSetting off in the rain for Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot CreanSetting off in the rain for Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot CreanSetting off in the rain for Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot CreanSetting off in the rain for Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot CreanSetting off in the rain for Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot CreanSetting off in the rain for Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot CreanSetting off in the rain for Mary Gardiner’s final walk of 100k in June for Breast Cancer Research on Sunday in Blennerville. Photo by Dermot Crean
.Michelle Greaney and Mary Gardiner are joined by local runners looking forward to the 3k Road Race to take place on Friday, June 24. Photo by Dermot Crean
DON’T forget that a road race to support Mary Gardiner’s 100km in 30 days campaign for Breast Cancer Ireland takes place on this Friday night..
Michelle Greaney from MG Coaching is organising the 3k run which takes place at 7pm in Blennerville. The route takes runners from the bridge at Blennerville, over Lohercannan, out to the Lock Gates and back to the bridge via the canal.
Local Garda Mary has already raised over €18,000 in her campaign and is nearing the end of the 100k challenge.
Continued below…
.
Registration on the day will be from 6.15-6.40pm Friday evening at the Blennerville windmill carpark. All funds go straight into Mary’s fundraiser. You can see the route here https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/57730579
Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer back in January and has already undergone chemotherapy treatment. She is facing surgery this coming Monday and other treatments in the coming months.
Mary will also be holding the last of her walks to complete the 100k this Sunday at 12 noon. People are invited to join Mary on the walk from Blennerville Windmill Carpark out to the Lock Gates and back for a cuppa at Skelper Quanes.
