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Fund Raising

The most difficult part of any job is the fund raising. The running costs of diesel, insurance, etc. are very high and increasing every year. The voluntary help we get from family, friends and colleagues is immeasurable and we could not function without them. We are eternally grateful to the many people who donate clothes and non-perishable goods, which we transport to Belarus.

2007

Christmas Quiz

Our Christmas Quiz, again hosted in O'Connor's Guesthouse, was another huge success with 31 tables raising €1930. In a tie between 3 tables, the O'Connor from Faha table emerged the winners.

Our thanks to everyone who supported the event, either by donation or helping with the organisation of the evening. Their generosity is much appreciated.

A special thanks to Micheál and Sherry O'Dowd and staff, Niamh Cullinane, Euge Lyne, Mary Keane, Máire O'Dowd and Irene O'Mahony.
Well done to one and all.

Naomhóg Race

On our 7th annual Challange from Maharees to Brandon, we had to cancel leaving from Maharees as the seas were too rough for the crossing, so we set a new course around the bay at Brandon. The weather was generally good with sunshine but with a couple of showers. However this did not dampen proceedings and the day was a huge success with the large crowd.

The day kicked off with a speed race from Maharees with RIBs, jetskies and speed boats. As they skimmed the water into Brandon, Mike Shanahan won the day.
The main event was next and it was the turn of the Namhógs. With 6 boats lining out (from Brandon, Maharees and Dingle), the race began and was very close until the later stages, where the crew of Seamus Grady, Michael O'Sullivan, Liam Goodwin and Jane FitzGerald pulled ahead to win the day.



More images on web page 'Albanian Gallery'.

Again this year we had our under-16 race. This also was a good close race which was eventually won by Ciara Griffin, Michael, Gearóid and Róisín Walsh of Dingle.

In addition this year we had a novelity local fishermen's punt race with 7 punts taking part. In the end of the hotly contested race, where local pride was at stake, it was declared that Mike Lyne and Jimmy Grady were the winners.

Many thanks to everybody who took part, donated, contributed, and helped to the event.
Special thanks to all the rowers.
Euge Lyne and Mary Keane, who ran the show.
To collectors Jo Maunsell, Pam McCavert and Veronica Haywood. Brendan Rourke, Mary Jane Verniere and David Nix at traffic control. Paddy O'Neill and John McMahon for their entertainment with music and song.
John O'Connor, Diarmuid Lynch and Michael Flaherty for their video and photographic skills.
Diarmiud Keane and Mike Lyne who helped all through the day.
And to Darren Jones with his "Beefy" wagon to keep everybody fed.

A huge 'Thank You' to so many people who worked so hard to help make the event such success. (See web page 'Acknowledgements').


2006

Christmas Quiz

Our Christmas Quiz, was hosted in O'Connor's Guesthouse, was another success with 26 tables raising apx. €1700.

Our thanks to everyone who supported the event, either by donation or helping with the organisation of the evening. Their generosity is much appreciated.
A special thanks to Micheál and Sherry O'Dowd and staff, Helen FitzGerald, Niamh Cullinane, Euge Lyne, Mary Keane, and Ann FitzGerald. Well done to one and all.

Thank you also to our sponsors: Mike Deane, Steve Cullinane, Micheál O'Dowd, Kathy FitzGerald, and Ann Marie O'Dowd


Naomhóg Race

This year our 6th annual currach race from Brandon to Maharees took a different twist. Even though the day was sunny the sea was inclement to cross so it was decided to have two races, i.e. one in Brandon and another in Maharees at the same time. Boats from Dingle and the local currachs rowed in Brandon, while Maharees currachs stayed there and in both areas set a course.

In Brandon 6 boats took part (4 four-hand and 2 three-hand). After a hard battle the Cloghane currach of Colm O'Connor, Micheál Murphy, Micheál Cleary and William Murphy won the day in great style. The 3-hand battle was won by the local currach of Derry Murphy, Euge and Mike Lyne.


In Maharees Noel O'Connor looked after proceedings. 3 currachs took part here and the currach of John Frank Scanlon, Gerald McCarthy, John and Frank Hussey won the day.

Well done and thanks to one and all.


2005

Naomhóg Race

Our 5th annual currach race coincided with the local festival, Féile Lughnasa, so it was decided to change the route of the race to incorporate Cloghane to mark the occasion. The race commenced in Brandon, around Ballyquin Point, and up the Cloghane estuary. The boats went around the appointed buoys at the village and returned to Brandon.

What a success in a beautiful sunny day! This year 14 boats took part in the race. Due to demand and former success, an extra category was included - a 3-hand class, as well as the usual 4-hand class. Crews from Brandon, Cloghane, Maharees, Castlegregory, Camp, Dingle, Cúas, Baile na nGall and also Cork city took part this year. It was a spectacular sight to see the flotilla of boats round the 2 buoys in Cloghane to the cheers and applause of the large crowd which had gathered, both in the village and along the estuary.

We also had an under 16 race in Brandon.


Concert

On Easter Sunday night (March 27th) we held a concert in our local community hall. The concert, entitled was dedicated to one of Ireland's finest folk groups, namely Planxty. Songs and music of that era were preformed by Paddy O'Neill, Niall Johnson, David Kearney and Kenny O'Flaherty. Also, John FitzGerald from Brandon graced us with his excellent dancing. The night was a great success and enjoyed by a capacity audience of both young and old.

Christmas Table Quiz '05

Our Christmas Table Quiz was held on the Dec. 30th again at O'Connor's Guesthouse, Cloghane. Many thanks to hosts Sherry and Micheál O'Dowd, and staff.
It was a great success with 30 tables, raising apx. €2000.

2004

Naomhóg Race

On August 15th we finally held our 4th annual currach race from Brandon to Maharees. We initially had changed our usual date to accommodate a regatta, but had to cancel the event on August 8th at the eleventh hour because of inclement weather.

Before the main race, we held an Under 16 race in Brandon.

Brandon to Maharees

The day was a success as the weather held. We had our largest entry to date - 12 boats. The sea was calm which made for a lovely row across Brandon Bay.

Swim

For the first time we held a sponsored swim to entertain the crowd in Brandon while the currach race was on. There were 11 entrants, with Jayne Mullally first to shore. These fine swimmers are to be congratulated for taking part during the rain showers.

Thank you

A special mention to Brenda Kennedy of Annascaul who had prepared a Barbecue for the event on the initial date, but as mentioned above, had to be postponed due to inclement weather. So sorry for Brenda who went to a lot of trouble and effort with this. Many thanks Brenda.

People in Need Telethon

As the People in Need Telethon only happens every 4 years, we decided to do something this year. On Easter Sunday night we held a local 'You're a Star' concert in our community centre in Brandon. It was a brilliant night, comprising mainly of local talent performing music, song, dance and humour to a full house.



Money raised from the night was donated to the People in Need Trust, who contributes all proceeds of that county to local charities, in our case Kerry. Many thanks to all who took part, attended and helped in any way.

Special thanks to Mary Keane, Tricia Hendrick, Eithne FitzGerald, Euge Lyne and Doreen Leonard.


Christmas Table Quiz '04

Our Christmas Table Quiz was held on the Dec. 29th again at O'Connor's Guesthouse, Cloghane. This year it was decided to donate the proceeds to "The Adrian O'Connor Fund", which was set up to help the O'Connor family with expenses incurred following Adrian's unfortunate accident whilst on visit to London. Adrian is a much loved by the local community and is and is a great supporter of what Positive Aid is all about.

This was our most successful quiz to date. There were nearly 50 tables of participants and we raised approximately € 5500.

In March, Denis White again held another successful quiz for us in the Green Room Bar. Many thanks to Denis and Rena and to the O'Connors of the Green Room.


2003

Naomhóg Race

On August Bank Holiday weekend we held our third annual Currach Race from Maharees to Brandon. Eleven crews, from Brandon, Maharees, Camp, Dingle and also this year Ballybunion. Due to unfavourable weather conditions, it was decided that the boats would leave from Fermoyle strand instead of Maharees, - a distance of 4 miles.
The boat of Jackie Goodwin, Paul Goodwin and Barry and Graham Heasman was first to cross the finishing line.

A first for Brandon this year - an under-16 currach race at Brandon, which proved to be a major success. 6 boats each containing a crew of 2 boys and 2 girls, gave us a most exciting race. The boat of Jillian O'Brien, Liam Flannery, Ciara and Gene O'Connor of Dingle just held out to claim first position.

Everybody taking part this received a completion certificate for their achivment. Many thanks to Lisa Murphy for her ideas and work on this.

We would like to thank everybody who contributed, participated and helped in anyway to the success of the day.
See web page 'Acknowledgements' for all names,
and 'Albanian Gallery' for more photos.


Christmas Table Quiz '03

On December 30th, we held a quiz hosted by O'Dowd's Bar (of O'Connor's Guesthouse), Cloghane. There was a marvellous turn out and in the true Christmas spirit it was very well supported by locals and visiters alike.


2002

Naomhóg Race

On August Bank Holiday weekend we held our second annual Currach Race from Brandon to Maharees. The morning fog cleared just in time for the 'off'. One hour and four minutes later, to a tremendous applause, the boat of Micheál and Stephen O'Connor and Barry and Graham Heasman was first to cross the finishing line, near 'The Green Room Bar'.

Concert



On August 17th Seán Keane and his band again preformed a concert for us, this time at Castlegregory. The crowed hall enjoyed a full night's top class entertainment from Seán. Support acts were Paddy O'Neill and also The Begley sisters of Máire, Eileen and Kathleen with Donucha Lynch accompanying them.

Art Exhibition

Positive Aid held a highly successful art exhibition in Dalkey, Co. Dublin in October. The paintings were mainly of West Co. Kerry landscapes and of Tuscany, Italy. Seán Keane opened the exhibition to a large crowd, and the profits are a valued addition to our project's finances in our endeavours ahead.

2001

To fund the construction division's work for 2002, in August we held our first currach race from Maharees to Brandon, with crews from Maharees, Brandon and Dingle taking part. On the same day, Fenit man Gerard O'Donnell of Tralee Yacht Club, organised a yacht race from Fenit to Brandon. The organised raffle of a giant teddy bear (donated by Sophie and the Murray family of Cork), boosted our funds and the huge crowd on Brandon pier made it a great success and a wonderful occasion. Brenda Kennedy of Annascaul made sure no one went home hungry by organising a Barbecue. The day was crowned with the Fenit Life Boat showing up in spectacular form going through their paces.

Quizzes

We held various pub-quizzes over the years:

Tig Tomsí Bar, Cloghane, Co. Kerry, in 1998.
Glenduff House, Kielduff, Tralee, 1998.
Mullally's O'Shea's Bar, Brandon, 2000.
In 2001 Denis White held one in The Green Room Bar, Maharees.
In 2003 Denis held another quiz in Daly's Bar in Upper Camp, and also he raffled a signed Rep.of Ireland soccer shirt in FitzGerald's The Junction Bar, Camp. Greatly appreciated Denis and Rena.
As stated above, our Annual Christmas Quiz are held in O'Connor's Guesthouse and Bar, Cloghane.

Coffee Morning

Carmel O'Connor, London, held a' Coffee and Cake' morning to help us on our mission.

1999

In 1999 we held a concert in the Skellig Hotel, Dingle. A brilliant performance by Seán Keane and his band insured a capacity crowd. Also that night Eóin Duignan joined Robby Overson played a medley of tunes, while Séamus Begley, Jim Murray and Lawrence Courtney performed with striking talent to finish a great night.


Upcoming Events

2008

Chernobyl Challange - August 3rd

Our 8th annual Naomhóg Race race from Brandon to Maharees
(Bank Holiday Sunday)

Christmas - December 30th

Our Annual Christmas Table Quiz at O'Connor's Guesthouse and Bar.
( Starting at 9pm.)

SPONSORS








Micheál Moriarty Construction Co. Castlegregory


Brandon Bay Boat Hire
- Duántacht Bréanainn





O'Connors Guesthouse
Cloghane


Brendan Spillane
Plant Hire








Lyne's Cottages Brandon