Kerry Association In Dublin Newsletter May 2015

Pictured above with Billy Keane at the Association’s recent outing to the opening night of John B. Keane’s iconic play, The Field, at the Gaiety Theatre are members from left to right: David Fitzgerald, Siobhán O’Grady, Keelin Kissane, Billy Keane, Maurice Moynihan and Anita Kelly. Message from Leesha Duffy, Chairperson “As I begin my second year as Chairperson, I would like to thank you all for your support during the year. It was a busy year ending with a wonderful night when we awarded Danny Tim O’Sullivan the accolade of 2015 Kerry Person of the Year. We are delighted to welcome four new members to our Committee – Marie Bowler, David Fitzgerald, Pádraig Mawe and Mary McAuliffe. We have lots of plans for the coming year and hope there will be something for everybody to enjoy. I look forward to meeting you all at some stage during the upcoming months. Leesha”

Committee 2015 / 2016

Chairperson:

Vice-chairperson:

Leesha Duffy (Dromid)

Keelin Kissane (Lisselton)

Secretary:

Assistant Secretary:

Mary Shanahan (Valentia Island)

Keelin Kissane (Lisselton)

Joint Treasurer:

Joint Treasurer:

Donie Harmon (Churchill)

Frances Purcell (Glenbeigh)

PRO: Maurice Moynihan (Derrymore)

Marie Bowler (Cahersiveen) Aidan Curtin (Tralee) David Fitzgerald (Tralee) Pádraig Mawe (Listowel) Mary McAuliffe (Duagh) Rita McLoughlin (Cahersiveen) Finbarr O’Donoghue (Valentia Island)

Mary Donohue (Kilcummin) and Christy McCarthy (Glenbeigh) remain President and VicePresident respectively. We all look forward to representing you over the coming year. Meet Your New Committee Members:

Marie Bowler Marie is a native of Cahersiveen and is a recruitment consultant.

David Fitzgerald David is from Tralee and is a solicitor. He is also Treasurer of the Kerry GAA Supporters’ Club in Dublin

Pádraig Mawe Pádraig was born in Cahersiveen and grew up in Listowel. He is a solicitor.

Mary McAuliffe Mary is from Duagh and is a history lecturer in UCD. Mary’s focus will be mainly on getting the Association involved in the Decade of Centenaries events, the programme of commemorations relating to the significant events in Irish history that took place between 1912 and 1922.

AGM Our AGM took place in Wynn’s Hotel on Tuesday 14th April. Two motions were passed at the AGM as set out below: 1. The criteria for Kerry Person of the Year is now as follows: •

The person selected must have shown leadership, brought honour to, and performed community, charitable or other services to such an extent that could be described as being beyond the norm of everyday life.

And •

The person must have been born in Kerry, unless the unavailability of maternity services at the time of their birth, or the employment location of their Kerry parents at the time of their birth resulted in their birth taking place outside Kerry OR the person was adopted by Kerry parents and lived in Kerry until his / her secondary education was completed OR the person has resided in Kerry for a period of at least 20 years and he / she has made a contribution that could be described as extraordinary to the life and well being of Kerry and its people.

Membership Annual Membership falls due in April each year. You can renew your membership by completing and returning the form on the last page of this newsletter to Mary Shanahan.

2. Membership fees for 2016 will be €20 for an individual or €30 for a couple / family. Cheque Presentations On Saturday 2nd May in the Ring of Kerry Hotel in Cahersiveen the Kerry Association, together with representatives of the family of Kerry Person of the Year, Danny Tim O’Sullivan, had pleasure in presenting cheques for €10,000 each to Cúnamh Iveragh and Valentia Hospital, the chosen charities of Danny Tim to benefit from the raffle and auction held at Oíche Chiarraí 2015.

Events!! Upcoming events

•

June

July

And beyond…

11

9

Grand Canal Boat Trip

Fundraising BBQ for Our Lady’s Hospice, Harold’s Cross

9 – 11 October Weekend Away

Grand Canal Boat Trip

On Thursday 11th June at 7pm, we will be embarking on a barge trip along the Grand Canal. We will be “cruising”! between Charlemont Place and the Grand Canal Theatre. Finger food will be served and there will be a full bar on board. Price is €20 per person. If you haven’t already registered, please contact our secretary, Mary ([email protected] or (087) 926 2789) or assistant secretary, Keelin ([email protected]) to confirm your interest. Hopefully we will be basking in glorious sunshine on deck!

Saturday 5 March Oíche Chiarraí 2016

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Fundraiser for Our Lady’s Hospice, Thursday 9th July, Garda Boat Club This year’s annual fund-raising event, with which members of the Association are involved, in aid of Our Lady’s Hospice, Harold’s Cross, will take place in the Garda Boat Club, Longmeadows, Islandbridge on Thursday 9th July at 8pm. Wine, cheese and finger food will be served; light entertainment will be provided and there will be a raffle and an auction. The event - now in its seventeenth year - is a very sociable and enjoyable one, as those of you who have attended in the past can vouch. Tickets at €20 are available from Marion Walsh (087) 283 2018. Book early and don't be disappointed!

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Weekend Away After a year of a break, we are very pleased to announce that the annual weekend away is being restored. So mark the weekend of 9th – 11th October in your calendars. This year’s trip will be to Carlow. The full itinerary as well as booking form are on the following pages. Early booking is advisable.

•

Oiche Chiarraí 2016 We have already pencilled in the date for Oíche Chiarraí 2016 as being Saturday 5th March so save the date!!

•

Other Events We are in the process of organising other events and we will update you as soon as they are finalised. We are also very happy to take on board any suggestions that you, the members, may have.

KERRY ASSOCIATION DUBLIN / CORK “GATHERING” WEEKEND AWAY TO SEVEN OAKS HOTEL, ATHY ROAD, CARLOW Friday 9th October 2015 Coach will depart opposite Heuston Station, John’s Road at 12.30pm and arrive at hotel at 1.45pm approx. Tea / coffee served on arrival. Check into hotel. Afternoon free to enjoy full leisure facilities of the hotel which includes 20 metre pool, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and gym. Dinner will be served at 7.30pm in Milford Banqueting Suite. A night of music and dancing with Pat Bermingham will commence at 9.30pm. Saturday 10th October 2015 Breakfast will be served up to 10.30am. Depart hotel by coach at 11.00am for Kilkenny City arriving at 11.45am. Optional Tours in city include Kilkenny Castle or Smithwick Experience. Depart city at 2.30pm stopping off at Arboretum Home & Garden Heaven, Leighlinbridge where you will have time to enjoy a snack / lunch at your own expense or browse around few shops. Depart here at 3.30pm for return to hotel at 3.45pm. Dinner will be served at 7.30pm in Milford Banqueting Suite. A great nights entertainment with a 5 piece band will commence at 9.30pm. Sunday 11th October 2015 Breakfast will be served up to 10.30am. Morning free for mass etc. Vacate bedroom by noon and bring luggage to reception. Lunch will be served at 1.00pm. Depart hotel at 2.00pm by coach for Heuston Station arriving at 3.15pm approx.

Price of this Weekend which includes 2 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast; return transport; plus coach trip on Saturday will be €150 per person sharing. Single room supplement of €10 per night will apply. Early booking is advisable. To secure your place on this weekend trip please forward a booking deposit of €50.00 to: John F. O’Sullivan (087) 254 9088 [email protected]

Mary Shanahan (087) 926 2789 [email protected]

Maura Hughes (086) 242 8446 [email protected]

Booking form for Kerry Assocation in Dublin / Cork Gathering Weekend Away to Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow Town, Co. Carlow Fri. 9th October to Sun. 11th October 2015 The cost of this weekend trip will be €150 per person sharing which includes 2 nights D/B/B; return transport and coach trip on Saturday to Kilkenny. Single room supplement of €10 per night will apply. To secure your place on this weekend, please complete and return this form together with a deposit of €50.00 per person as soon as possible to: John F. O’Sullivan, 143 Glendale Estate, Leixlip, Co. Kildare. Mary Shanahan, 12 Belvedere Place, Dublin 1.

087 2549088;

(087) 926 2789;

Maura Hughes, 42 Westminister Lawns, Foxrock, Dublin 18.

[email protected] OR

[email protected] OR

(086) 242 8446;

[email protected]

Contact Name:- .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. Address:- ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Phone Numbers:- Landline Names

…………………………………………… Mobile Phone Rooms No of Rooms

…………………………………………………..

Type of Accommodation Single

Twin

Double

Travel by bus Yes

No

Other upcoming events with a Kerry connection •

Listowel Writers’ Week 27th – 31st May has an excellent line-up – check out the Festival programme on www.writersweek.ie

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Fleadh Cheoil Chiarrai 2015 17th June to 21st June will be held in Cahersiveen. Barr na Sráide CCE have asked us to encourage Kerry people in Dublin to visit Cahersiveen that weekend. They have a very busy line up from start to finish and almost everything on offer is free entertainment. These include: - Ceilí at the Gig Rig @ 8.30 pm - Tim Joe & Anne O’Riordan Friday June 19th - Music at the Gig Rig from 9.30pm til late with Padraig Ó Sé (RNG) Family & Friends Saturday June 20th - Live on Gig Rig @ 1pm Danny O’Mahony (Radio Kerry) & Cyril O’Donoghue Sunday 21st - Ceilí @ Gig Rig with Donnie Nolan and Taylor’s Cross 3pm-6pm They have a €10 cover charge for their opening night concert which includes Conal Ó Grada (The Raw Bar Collective) and Benny Mc Carthy (Danú) joined by singer Nell Ní Chroinín, winner of Corn Uí Riada 2014. There is a cover charge €6 to attend any of the competition days which are open to the public. •

Leap on Your Bike - Saturday 18th – Sunday 19th July This is a charity cycle from Annascaul to Leixlip supporting Cycle Against Suicide, Down Syndrome Ireland, St. John of God Community Services and St. Vincent de Paul. For more details see www.leaponyourbike.com

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Kerry GAA Supporters’ Club in Dublin Golf Classic – Friday 18th September Once again, the Supporters’ Club will be holding a Golf Classic in Lucan Golf Club on the Friday of the All Ireland Football Final.

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Dingle to Dublin Craft Fair – 7th and 8th November The inaugural Dingle to Dublin Craft and Food Fair will take place in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire on November 7th and 8th. The official opening will be conducted by Mary Kennedy of RTE. This fair will be promoting Kerry food and crafts for the two days. Applications are being invited to exhibit at stands at the fair and the closing date for applications is June 15th. So if you or anybody you know might be interested, we have a number of application forms available – contact Mary or Keelin.

Other news Death of Tom Woulfe

The death took place recently of the Kerry Association’s oldest member, Tom Woulfe, who was in his hundredth year. Tom was a native of Ballybunion and he was one of the most influential figures in the GAA’s history. Tom played in 4 Dunloe Cup finals for his school before going on the represent Munster at that level. He was a founding member of the Civil Service football clubs in 1935 and was appointed President of the Civil Service GAA Club in 1965. He was Treasurer of the Dublin County Board between 1940 and 1944 and he set up the first disciplinary committee of the GAA in Dublin in 1941 before taking on the role of Dublin manager in 1944. His greatest claim to fame was his drive to seek a vote in 1959 for the removal of the infamous ban on members of the GAA playing or attending foreign games. He pursued this goal until the ban was removed in 1971. He was also a driving force behind the lifting of the ban on members of the RUC from playing foreign games. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Help required for Research on the Garda Siochána and the GAA A contact of the Kerry Association, Brian Willoughby, is currently compiling a book about Garda members, both male and female, who have represented their counties at senior level between 1922 and 2015. So far Brian has received over 1,100 names of members and it is his intention to profile each player for the book. Brian is also interested in any Garda GAA photos that merit inclusion in the book. The publication of the book will be a tremendous public relations exercise for the force and will highlight the enormous contribution made by members of the Garda Siochána to the GAA. Any help you might be able to offer with this mammoth task would be greatly appreciated by Brian. He is concerned that some information may be missed and he is trying to cover all angles. His contact details are: Brian J. Willoughby All Ireland Garda Gaelic Football Representative Mobile No:- 086 8282246 Email Address:- [email protected]

Membership Form Annual Membership falls due in April each year. If you have already paid we would like to say "thank you". If you have forgotten please forward €20.00 to the address below. We would be pleased to receive any additional information from you on this form, which of course is strictly confidential and for use of the Kerry Association only. Personal Details

Name: Address:

Phone: Email: Kerry Birth Place: Business Details

Company Name: Company Address: Phone: Email: Website address: Do you know other interested people? Do you know any friends, relations or work colleagues who would like to join the Kerry Association for fun outings, cultural or social activities? If so, please ask them to get in touch. We would love to hear from them. Please send the completed forms and €20.00 to the Secretary of the Association Mary Shanahan, 12 Belvedere Place, Dublin 1. Tel: (087) 926 2789