Change of times...
Junior Murphy's talk on Daniel O'Connell and Caherciveen is on tomorrow Wednesday now at 3pm in The Daniel O'Connell Memorial Church Caherciveen... Spread the word!!!
Minister to open Gathering of the Clans
Minister Jimmy Deenihan is opening the Gathering of the Clans following our spectacular Opening Parade. The opening parade will be led by the Valentia pipe band followed by pipe bands from Tralee, Killorglin, and Newcastle West. There will be representatives from community groups in South Kerry, and all the various festivals taking place this year around South Kerry. It will be a spectacular show of colour and will represent all that is good in South Kerry.
The Best of South West hosted by Weeshie Fogarty
Announcing The Best of South West night hosted by Weeshie Fogarty!!!! The Gathering of the Clans will host a night celebrating the achievements of some of South Kerry’s most famous sons and daughters in a night of music, chat, and entertainment. The chosen guests for the evening have brought great pride to South Kerry across a range of fields from sport to culture, to business, to the area, and so on, both at home and abroad. We will honour these people in a night not to be forgotten which will be hosted by Radio Kerry's Weeshie Fogarty. Among the guests to be honoured on the night will include the following: Mick O’Dwyer, Liam Higgins, Christy Riordan, Dan Tim O’ Sullivan, The Portmagee Community, and Camella Morley. For more check out the Best of South West Page.
The Gathering of the Clans announces winners of Fly them Home competition
A great crowd gathered in Cable O' Learys Ballinskelligs for the launch of the gathering of the clans programme of events which is taking place from the 23rd of March to the 1st of April and also for the announcement of the winners of the fly them home competition which was sponsored by Cable O' Learys. The crowd were treated to wonderful music by the Valentia pipe band and the Barr na Sràide Comhaltas. Among the highlights of the night was the unveiling of the battle of the clans cups. The Battle of the clans includes the various sports associated with South Kerry with individuals playing on teams under the one family name. With the resultant winners crowned the Clan Champions. The cups are named after individuals from South Kerry who's name are synonymous with these sports. The golf battle cup is called after the Higgins family from Waterville who have put the spot light on golfing in South Kerry. The 4 oar battle cup is called after John Knot from Ardcost who was a famous boat builder and oars man in the area. The Football battle cup is named afte Micheàl "Mickey" O'Connaill from Ballinskelligs who was a well known local footballer. The rugby battle cup is called after Robert Graves from Valentia Island who had the unique honour of playing Rugby with Ireland, England, and the British and Irish Lions. The drag hunt cup is called after Noreen McGill who was a successful beagle owner and trainer married to John McGill of Arcost where the drag hunt will take place. The highlight of the night was the announcement of the Cable O'Learys sponsored fly them home competition. There was not a dry eye in the house when the winners story was read out. The winners are Ann Smith and Michele Maggi Miller from New York whose grandmothers left Ballinskelligs in the early 1900′s with the hope of returning one day, this wasn’t to be. Mary and Helen both married Kerrymen and raised their families in New York. Mary’s ashes and Helen’s Celtic Cross were sent back to Ballinskelligs so that they both could be buried with their parents in The Glen cemetery in South Kerry. Ann and Michele Maggi say winning the competition fulfils a lifelong dream to visit the birth place of their grandmothers. Click here for the full story...
‘The aim, to create a week long event in South Kerry with the primary goal of bringing the South Kerry diaspora home, and to appeal to the national and international visitor, in a celebration of our culture, sports, and heritage.’
The first ever Gathering of the Clans in South Kerry, taking place in 2013, will be the inaugural year of what is to become an international, annual event. The festival aims to celebrate the connections the Irish have all over the world and to highlight the proud heritage South Kerry people have by showcasing the natural and cultural heritage of the South Kerry region.
This event is about creating a sense of place and reuniting families in the community of Iveragh, and its environs. The festival aims to involve the local community and make families part of the Event.
We will always celebrate South Kerry success at home and abroad across a wide range of fields, from business to academia, sport to literature, culture to community, and so on.
Anywhere you go in the world more often than not you are going to meet a South Kerry person, it is our aim to provide a platform for these people to return.
