Kerry Association sits down to annual dinner

CASTLEISLAND’S LIZ TAKES KERRY PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD IN LONDON

JUST over 30 years after attending her first Kerry Association London Dinner and Dance, Liz Shanahan’s status as a Kerry person in London went full circle at the weekend as she was named the Kerry Person of the Year at a packed ceremony in the Clayton Crown Hotel in Cricklewood.

The Castleisland woman picked up the Denis Reidy memorial trophy, the biggest prize a member of the Kerry Diaspora in London can hope to attain, becoming only the second woman to do so. She joins a list of winners that includes the likes of Christy Kissane, Dan Tim O’Sullivan, Shelagh O’Connor and Patsy Byrne, as well as being honoured for her contribution to Kerry life at home and abroad over the last year.

Colm Cooper was the recipient of the second annual Christy Kissane Memorial Trophy in recognition of his new-found career as a media pundit and, although he was unable to make the gala presentation due to the small matter of a County Senior Final, he wasn’t slow to send a few words London way.

“2017 was a landmark year for me, retiring form inter-county football and winning the All Ireland club championship medal,” he said

“For me, Christy Kissane was always and all ways will be what is great about the Kingdom. I am proud to know the Kissane family for many years,” Colm added.

The association’s chairman, the legendary Dan Tim Sullivan, was absent as he continues his recovery from illness, but his daughter Julie gave a short speech thanking the people of London and Kerry for their support during this challenging time.

Vice Chairperson Sean Moriarty said: “It has been another successful year for the Kerry Association London and apart from tonight’s gala we have had successful golf day in May and a fourth successful Darkness in to Light London charity walk.

“Our prime focus is to raise funds and distribute them to individuals or organisations that need support. We thank each one of you for your continued generosity – we could not do it without all of you.”

OUR PRIME FOCUS ISTO RAISE FUNDS AND DISTRIBUTE THEM TO THOSE MOST INNEED

Paul O’Connor, Mike Cronin, Killarney; Eamon O’Dell and Jackie Scully Templenoe at the Kerry Association London Person of the Year Annual Dinner

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Helen Reidy (third from left) presenting the Denis Reidy Memorial Trophy and Charlotte Riney (fifth from left) presenting The Kerry Person of the Year Award to Liz Shanahan with (from left) Tara Cronin Secretary, Sean Moriarty Vice Chairman, Vincent Harty President Kerry Association London, Kate & Helen Riney and Noel O’Sullivan Kerry Association London.

Kerry Person of the Year Liz Shanahan (front fourth fromleft) with Noel O’Sullivan, Caoimhe Gallagher London Rose, Kerry Mayor John Sheahan, Kerry Association London Secretary Tara Cronin, Sinead O’Sullivan, Vice Chair Kerry Association London Sean Moriarty;(second row) Daniel O’Sullivan, Sheila Dixon, Linda Kissane;(third row) Kerry GAA Board Chairman Tim Murphy, Kerry Association London President Vincent Harty, Dermot O’Grady; (back) Pat O’Connor, John Walsh and John O’Shea at the Kerry Association London Person of the Year Annual dinner in The Clayton Crown Hotel Cricklewood on Friday.

Mick Scully, Templenoe; Kim and Tom Roche, Listowel; Philip and Caroline Glynn KiIlorglin.

Margaret, Eoin, Jerry and Tara Cronin, London and Killarney,

ALL PHOTOS BY MICHELLE COOPER GALVIN Patricia Curtin, Noreen O’Connor, Joan Horgan, Knocknagoshel and Rose Cahill, Castleisland at the Kerry Association London Person of the Year Annual Dinner in the Clayton Crown Hotel Cricklewood, London on Friday.

Pat Griffin, Glenbeigh; Michael Browne, Abbeydorney; Dan Harrington, Castletownbere and Tom Browne, Abbeydorney.

Kerry Person of the Year Liz Shanahan (centre) with her friends Joan Griffin and Suzanne McElligott from Castleisland

William Kelly Shrone and Finbarr Fitzpatrick Glenbeigh at the Clayton Crown Hotel.