A LOOK BACK AT THE YEAR THAT WAS IN VALENTIA
WELCOME to the first Islandman page of 2018. A very happy New Year to all readers at home and overseas. Let us now glance back at some of the events of the past year that was in Valentia, on a month by month basis.
January
ON Wednesday, January 11, Johanna Griffin of the Cable Station in Knightstown celebrated her 100th birthday. Johanna (nee O’Connell), originally came from Kileveragh,Portmagee, and emigrated to England in 1942. She and her late husband Tom of Ballinlough, Co. Roscommon, then emigrated to New York in 1953, and returned in 1980. She looks forward to her 101st birthday on this January 11.
On New Year’s Day the death occurred at the age of 92 in New Jersey, USA of Sister Alice Lynch.She originally came from Coromore, Valentia and joined the congregation of St. Joseph of Peace in 1950.
A deputation representing the Valentia Island Car Ferry Directors, organised by Michael Healy-Rae, met with the Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, at Leinster House, to negotiate funding from the Fáilte Ireland Funding Programme.
The ferry directors in attendance were Richard Foran,Seanie Murphy, Muiris O’Donoghue and Paudie Lynch. They were accompanied by Valentia’s Tadhg O’Donoghue and Kerry TDs, Michael and Danny Healy-Rae, Brendan Griffin and John Brassil.
February
VALENTIA Young Islanders’ senior footballers took part for the first time in what is now the Paudie O’Shea Memorial Tournament – Paudie passed away on January 15, 2013 – and what an occasion it proved to be with the Islanders winning the Junior competition.
They defeated Ballinacurra of Cork in the semi-final, held in Churchill and subsequently defeated Shannon Gaels of Cavan in the final, held at Connolly Park, home to the Austin Stacks club of Tralee
Team: Anthony Sheehan; Ciarán O’Donoghue, Senan Lynch, David Hussey, Concubhair Guiney, John Curran,Liam George; Ger ‘The Plumber’ O’Shea, Jim Lynch; Paul Curtin, Andy Quigley, Fionán Falvey; Paul O’Connor, Anthony Sheehan, John Shanahan.
Subs introduced during games: Joe O’Driscoll, Dylan Sugrue, Ger Jack O’Sullivan, Paul O’Sullivan and Darragh Murphy.
The communities of Valentia Island and Foilmore came together at O’Connor Park in Valentia to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Fenian Rising.
Pat O’Driscoll of Feighmane was elected Chairman of the IFA in Kerry and big celebrations afterwards took place in the Ring Lyne of Chapeltown.
Charlie Bartlett of Farranreagh, Valentia, a native of Plymouth, passed away aged 82.
March
THE death occurred of Vincent O’Keeffe of Portmagee, who latterly lived in Coromore, Valentia.
Tim O’Driscoll of The Farm, Farranreigh was 61 on March 5.
The death occurred of Carmel Walsh of Knightstown. Mary Sugrue (nee Bolster) of Reenglass passed away. A fashion show took place in the Foilmore Community Centre to honour the memory of baby Éanna Coffey, son of Donie and Mary of Farranreigh, whose death occurred in 2016, and was the
April
IRELAND’S largest hospitality and culinary event, the Catex Exhibition, took place in Dublin. Chef Shaun O’Connor of Chapeltown was awarded a silver medal in the Silver Hill Duck competition and a certificate of merit in the Irish Pork competition.
Julia Cooper from Chapeltown took first place in the Sean Nós Dancing event at the Scór Na bPaistí County Finals held in the Foilmore Community Centre.
Killian Lynch, son of Joseph (Chapeltown) and Eileen (nee O’Sullivan of Ohermong,Renard) married Cristíona O’Shea, daughter of Jeremiah and Bridie O’Shea of Canuig, Dromid, reception in The Malton..
May
THE death occurred in Ennis of Kitty Egan, the former Kitty Murphy of Feighmane, Valentia, and daughter of deceased parents John and Caut Murphy.
The sudden death of Aidan Walsh of Knightstown occurred at his residence.
De La Salle brother, Willie Cooper of Tennis, passed away at the age of 85 in the De La Salle brothers’ retirement home of Miguel Houe, Castletown, County Laois.
A cycle in aid of the Valentia RNLI took place from the Cahirsiveen Marina. A cycle to commemorate the late Kerry footballer, John Egan of Sneem, took place in the environs of Sneem. Valentia Islanders who participated were Brendie Murphy, Pat O’Connor, Seamus O’Connor, Liam Lynch, Seamus Lynch, Tony Curran, John Cooper, Eoin O’Connor and Ger Lynch, a former Kerry team-mate of John’s.
Emmet Daly of Kilbeg, son of John and Susan, achieved third place in a Kerry Primary Schools football skills competition, held in Fitzgerald Stadium.
Jack and Margaret O’Donoghue of Stillorgan, Dublin, parents of Aine Cusack of Farranreigh, passed away on dates of close proximity.
June
ON Monday, June 12, Teresa Curran of Chapeltown celebrated her 90th birthday.
Brendan O’Sullivan received a huge ovation of support from Kerry football supporters in the stand at Cusack Park, Ennis, as he exited the field from the Munster Junior encounter versus Limerick.
Valentia Nonagenarians come together at Derarca Goldie’s house in Chapeltown.
John Lyne of Ballyhearney was 80 on June 21. Helena O’Neill of Reenglass and formerly of Craw passed away. She lived in Connecticut for many years.
A party of 23 Valentia Islanders journeyed by bus to visit President Higgins in Áras An Uachtaráin. The journey was sponsored by the Valentia Island Development Company.
Bishop of Kerry Raymond Browne presented the prestigious Benemerenti Medal in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Knightstown, to retired primary school principal Joan Gallagher in honour of her choir commitments. The medal is an honour awarded by the Pope to members of the clergy and laity for outstanding service to the Catholic Church.
July
THE laying of the world’s first trans-Atlantic cable between Valentia and Heart’s Content, Newfoundland, 150 years ago, was commemorated with an inaugural Valentia Island lecture held in the Cable Station, followed by a gala dinner in the Royal Hotel, Knightstown, in which a number of distinguished guests attended.
The annual Ring of Kerry Cycle took place with the Valentia Hospital nominated as a charitable beneficiary for a third year.
The grand opening of the Zipwire in Cracow Park in honour of the late baby Éanna Coffey took place.
The official opening by Kerry County Council of the €250,000 investment by Irish Water in upgrading the Knightstown Wastewater Treatment Plant took place.
Fr Martin Sheehan, PP of Caherdaniel, was transferred to Adrigole, County Cork. Valentia Islanders came together with music, song and chat to honour him in the Ring Lyne of Chapeltown.
Aenthea Murphy of Tennis introduced her novel Red Bus Restaurant, situated at Knightstown Pier. Tourists are tickled pink.
Noel Lynch and his son Cyril introduce their boat ‘Myra Michelle’ to Skellig boat trips.
Oliver Crowley of Stillorgan and Valentia Island passed away with the death also occurring of Marie Orpen (nee Murphy) of Bere Island and originally of Knightstown. Mary Curran (nee O’Connell) of Reenglass and originally of Corobeg also passed away.
Miriam Curran,daughter of Patrick and the late Marie of Reenglass and Mícheál Galvin, son of Michael and Eileen of Ballinkelligs were married.
August
RENOWNED pianist, Micheál O’Suilleabháin, performed at the Valentia Chamber Music Festival.
The deaths occurred of Joan Daly of Kilbeg and Diarmuid Ring of Knightstown.
The cremated remains of Mike ‘Sikey’ Murphy, who passed away in Northampton, England, on August 2016, were laid to rest at his holiday home in Tennis, after a ceremony in the Knightstown church.
Jack Charlton’s former physio, Mick Byrne, visited Valentia and renewed acquaintances with his Valentia friends of many years in Dublin, namely, Timothy Lyne, Pat O’Connell, Mossie O’Driscoll and Tadhg O’Donoghue.
Brendan O’Sullivan won his second All-Ireland Junior Football medal as Kerry defeat Meath.
The Olympic marathon athlete, Fionnuala McCormack (nee Britton), visited her relatives John Joe and Siobhán Shanahan of Farranreigh.
September
THE death occurred of Kathleen O’Connell of Corobeg.
A Parish Mission took place.
John O’Donoghue of Chapeltown and Tara Grehan of Dublin were married in Chapeltown church with the reception afterwards in the Royal hotel.
Kerry County Council complete very impressive major roadworks in the village of Chapeltown.
A community garden project situated in the land of Anthony Jack O’Sullivan is put in place.
October
THE death occurred at the age of 85 of John Shanahan of Farranreigh.
The RNLI cycle from Kells to Valentia, organised by the Kells Community, raised over €4,000.
Noreen Casidy (nee Mawe) of Dublin and Knightstown was 101 on Friday, October 8.
Ronnie Falconer of Waterford and the Cable Station, Valentia, passed away.
Valentia Hospital Chairman PJ O’Sullivan is presented with a cheque to the value of €76,000 at the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle dinner in the Gleneagle, Killarney.
Michael Egan, Chairman of Knightstown Tidy Towns Committee, is honoured by the community at a function in the Royal Hotel, which also marked his 80th birthday.
The ‘Celtic Vibe’ traditional music band wins the Radio Kerry Four Corners competition. Declan O’Shea of Chapeltown joined the Irish Navy. Valentia escapes the ravages of Hurricane Ophelia.
November
THE death, aged 96, occurred of Cautie Linnane of the School Road, Knightstown. Ann Cooper, wife of the late Jim Cooper, Tennis, passed away in Southall, London. Leonard Corcoran’s brother, Eamonn, passed away.
The Valentia Young Islanders were defeated on a score of 2-10 to 1-8 by Waterville in a first round South Kerry championship game played in Waterville.
Valentia Islanders visit Kenmare to arrange a get together and sing song with the Kenmare Historical and Cultural Society at the Lansdowne Arms Hotel.
December
THE death occurred at the age of 89 in Chiswick, London, of Den Murphy, originally of Chapeltown.
The former Valentia footballer Michael A O’Connell was ratified as Valentia’s new senior manager/trainer.
Máire Comerford (nee Brennan) of Ovens, Cork, daughter of Mike (Cahirsiveen) and Joephine (nee Burke, Valentia), was laid to rest in Kilmore..