Upcoming Events

2009

Chernobyl Challenge 

This years Naomhóg race from Brandon to Maharees will not take place as it clashes with the All-Ireland Currach Championships in Galway on August 2nd. Also we feel it is hard to ask people to donate money when everybody struggling to make ends meet with our economy in such a poor state. Thus this year we will meet our expenses by our reserves (for which they were set up in the first place). We apologise to all that were looking forward to the Challenge and hopefully things will have improved by next year.

Christmas - December 30th

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

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2009

Mouse Race Night

In March we had a 'Mouse Race Night' in O'Donnell's Bar, Cloghane, and it was a great sucess with a packed crowd to see their mice race. This unusual night was managed by fellow Chernobyl volunteers John O'Callahan and Paddy O'Regan from Clonakilty, Co. Cork.


2008

Naomhóg Race

The weather dictated proceedings, on our 8th annual currach race from Brandon to Maharees. 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.

Brandon

In Brandon 5 boats took part. The Dingle crew of Maunza Heidtke, Eóin Griffin, Lisa and Kevin Granville won the day in great style. The under-16 race was won by Kevin Granville, Eóin Griffin, Kate Sullivan and Ashling O’Connor.

This year we also had a ‘Tug-of-War’ on the beach.     4 teams battled it out in the semi-finals with the best of 3 pulls. In the final, Team O’Donnell’s Bar of Cloghane  (Martin O’Connor, Paul, Tom and Emmet O’Donnell) were declared the winners after a very strenuous tug. 

Live music was provided by locals John McMahon, Paddy O’Neill and Diarmuid Mulcahy with Brendan Guerin and Annette O’Sullivan from Newcastlewest, Co. Limerick joining in later to make for a very late and memorable evening.

Tom O’Donnell provided an American styled truck donated by Paddy Stapleton of Dublin. It was a huge attraction and the committee are most grateful. The truck was ‘manned’ by Leigh O’Donnell who did an excellent job.

A very big thank you to the Coastguard who paid us a spectacular visit by helicopter, and gave us a wave.

Euge Lyne orchestrated proceedings, with the help of  his sister Máire and Diarmuid Keane. Josephine Maunsell, Pam McCavert, and Veronica Haywood were the collectors, while Brendan Dowd, Jer Keane and Paudie Greaney did the traffic management to great effect.

Maharees

In Maharees there were 4 boats and the race was won by Jackie Goodwin, Kieran Browne, Graeme and Barry Heasman. Well done to one and all.

Music was provided by Joe Courtney and his band of merry men which pleased the large crowd greatly.            Brilliant food was provided again by Darren Jones who was kept on his toes.

Many thanks to Mary Keane and Mary Hussey who ran the show and kept everyone happy. Many, many thanks to one and all for a job well done.


Christmas Quiz 

Our Christmas Quiz was held in O'Connor's Guesthouse and Bar, Cloghane, to a great crowd filling 36 tables. A good night was had by all with the table of the FitzGeralds of Upper Cappagh winning the night ... Bernadette, Joan, Micheál and Angie 

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, Mary Lyne, Niamh Cullinane, Euge Lyne, Mary Keane, Máire O'Dowd and Brenda Casey.
Well done to one and all. 
 

Past Events

We have held our Rowing Challange from 2001 with great success. Many thanks to all the rowers, helpers, musicans and safety boats for their enormous efforts and time.

Our annual Christmas Quiz is held in O'Connor's Guesthouse and Bar. With a full house every year insuring it a success. 

We also held quiz nights in other venues over the years :   
Tig Tomsí Bar, Cloghane, Co. Kerry, in 1998.
Glenduff House, Kielduff, Tralee, 1998.
Mullally'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.

Concerts

We held a few concerts over the years :  Two by Seán Keane and his band, one in Dingle and the other in Castlegregory.

Another concert in 2005, 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, world champion, John FitzGerald from Brandon graced us with his excellent dancing.

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.


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.



Coffee Morning

In 2000, Carmel O'Connor, London, held a' Coffee and Cake' morning to help us on our mission. 


See 'Acknowledgements' for more.