Kerry Association in Dublin / Kerry GAA Supporters Club Dublin Brian McCarthy, speaking at Iveagh House Dear Members Welcome to our February 2016 newsletter. Cathal Walsh, PRO, Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, speaking at Iveagh House We were delighted to recently announce our 2016 Kerry Person of the Year as Brian McCarthy, founder of Killorglin-based financial services company, Fexco, and our inaugural Laochra Chiarraí recipients as the Committee of the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle. The announcements were made in the beautiful surroundings of Iveagh House, Department of Foreign Affairs, St. Stephen s Green, on 12 th January by our Cathaoirleach, Leesha Duffy. For the first time in the Association s history, the Kerry Person of the Year award is being made to a person not born in Kerry. This happened as a result of a change in our Constitution in 2015. During her tribute to Brian, Leesha noted that the award is being presented in recognition of the contribution he has made to economic and social development in Kerry over the past 35 years. She noted that through his entrepreneurial vision, employment in Fexco has grown to 2,300 of whom 1,200 are employed in Ireland. Alongside his business success, he has been hugely supportive of many aspects of community life in Kerry, providing assistance to sporting, social and cultural events. We are delighted to honour Brian for all he has done for the people of Kerry. The Committee of the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle have been chosen to receive the inaugural Laochra Chiarraí award which recognises exemplary leadership in community activity in the County. In 2015 over 12,000 took part in the cycle and raised just under 1.9 million for local charities in Kerry. The growth in numbers of participants is testament to the vision of committees over the years who have overseen the evolution of the event into the major success that it is today. The formal presentation of both awards will take place at Oíche Chiarraí which will be held this year on Saturday 5 th March in the Ballsbridge Hotel. It promises to be a great night and we hope to see you there!
Your Committee: President Mary Donohoe Secretary Mary Shanahan PRO Maurice Moynihan Vice President Christy McCarthy Cathaoirleach Leesha Duffy Assistant Secretary Keelin Kissane Joint Treasurers Donie Harmon Committee Members Marie Bowler Aidan Curtin David Fitzgerald Pádraig Mawe Leas Cathaoirleach Keelin Kissane Frances Purcell Mary McAuliffe Rita McLoughlin Finbarr O Donoghue Since our last Newsletter in early January: On Tuesday 26th January, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny officially launched the 27 th Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé 2016 in the Conrad Hotel, Dublin. The event was attended by a variety of personalities from the world of sport, business and politics and a number of Kerry Association members were in attendance. 13 counties are represented as part of this year s Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé as well as five teams from across the UK including London s Kingdom Kerry Gaels who are the first UK Gaelic football team ever to compete in the senior men s competition. Over 1,300 Gaelic football players and supporters from Ireland and abroad will compete in the 27 th year of the tournament with 36 adult mens and ladies club teams descending on the rugged Dingle Peninsula from 19 th to 21 st February. The event has grown into a major international GAA festival of football which also includes nightly music and entertainment and an annual photographic exhibition. For a programme of events and a full list of teams visit www.paidiose.com. For more information and photos from the launch evening, click on Supporters News on the homepage of our website www.kerryassociation.ie On Friday 29 th January a number of members attended the Kerry GAA Gala Fundraising Black Tie Dinner held at the Hilton Doubletree Hotel in Dublin. Over 600 people including many of the legendary stars of the great Kerry-Dublin clashes down through the years were in attendance. For an account of the event as well as photos of some of those in attendance click on Supporters News on the homepage of our website www.kerryassociation.ie On Monday 1 st February, members attended the opening night of John B. Keane s Big Maggie at the Gaiety Theatre. This powerful production directed by Garry Hynes includes Kerry s Aisling O Sullivan as Big Maggie and Kerry s Muiris Crowley as Maurice Polpin. Due to phenomenal demand, the run at the Gaiety has now been extended until 12 th March. Our website has been further updated with photos and news. You may by this stage also have had an opportunity to browse through the Archived Photographs section of the Gallery where you will find photographs of former Kerry Association events since 1998. You may even find some photos of yourselves! Si
Calendar of Upcoming Kerry-related Events: February Tuesday 9 th Business Breakfast with Martin Shanahan, Chief Executive IDA 7.30am Alexander Hotel, Fenian Street Sunday 14 th Kerry vs Laois, Allianz Hurling Div 1b 2pm O Moore Park, Portlaoise March Saturday 5th Oíche Chiarraí Ballsbridge Hotel Dublin 4 Sunday 6th Kerry vs Wexford, Allianz Hurling 12.45pm Austin Stack Park Friday 19 th Sunday 21 st February Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé Dingle Peninsula Sunday 6th Kerry vs Donegal, Allianz Football 2.30pm Austin Stack Park Sunday 21 st Kerry vs Limerick, Allianz Hurling 2pm Austin Stack Park Sunday 13th Kerry vs Clare, Allianz Hurling 2pm Cusack Park, Ennis Sunday 13th Kerry vs Mayo, Allianz Football 2.30pm MacHale Park, Castlebar Sunday 20th Kerry vs Offaly, Allianz Hurling 2pm St. Brendan s Park, Birr Sunday 27 th (Easter Sunday) Kerry vs Monaghan, Allianz Football 2pm St. Tiernach s Park, Clones
Tuesday 9th February Early morning Business Breakfast with Martin Shanahan As previously notified via email, on Tuesday 9th February we will be hosting an early morning Business Breakfast in the Alexander Hotel in Fenian Street (corner of Merrion Square). Martin Shanahan, the Chief Executive of the IDA and a native of Abbeydorney, will be our guest speaker. Full Irish Breakfast served from 7.30am Event will conclude by 9am Price per person 20 pay on arrival For bookings please contact Leesha on leesha.duffy24@gmail.com or (087) 679 8296 Saturday 5 th March Oíche Chiarraí Our flagship event, Oíche Chiarraí will be held this year on Saturday 5 th March in the Ballsbridge Hotel. The recipients of Kerry Person of the Year 2016 and Laochra Chiarraí 2016 will be formally presented with their awards. As ever, we are grateful to our Oíche Chiarraí sponsors, Kerry Group. Those of you who have attended in the past will testify that this is a night not to be missed! Tickets are 65 and can be ordered from any member of the Committee. Bookings have already been very brisk so don t delay in making your booking! All tickets must be pre-purchased, there will be no ticket sales on the night. Cheques should be made payable to the Kerry Association. The Merry Ploughboys will be providing the entertainment on the night. Bed & breakfast rates for Kerry Association members in the Ballsbridge Hotel on the night are 195 single occupancy, 210 double occupancy, subject to availability. It promises to be a great night so don t miss out!
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. Most people have now forwarded up to date details for our Database. 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. Name: Address: Email: Kerry Birthplace: Company Name: Company Address: 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 complete the following and we will forward details to them: Name: Address: Please send the completed forms and 20.00 to the Secretary of the Association, Mary Shanahan, 12 Belvedere Place, Dublin 1, (087) 9262789.