The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Over The Rainbow balloon release
LIKE so many events over the weekend the Over The Rainbow balloon release was badly hit by the dreadful weather that marred the fun on the streets and in the park.
Thankfully while the weather did have an impact it didn’t force the cancellation of the event which was organised in honour of Tralee woman Hellen O’Connor Roche who sadly lost a brave battle with Cancer last January.
During her many visits to the Palliative Care Unit at Kerry General Hospital Reigning Rose Elysha Brennan – who survived her own battle with cancer – became close friends with Hellen and she decided to use one her last acts as Rose to pay tribute to the brave Tralee woman and raise funds for the Kerry Hospice Foundation.
The weather was dismal but that didn’t put off the hundreds of people who gathered for the event, huddling under the park’s trees, until the ceremonies got underway.
The original plan – actually suggested by Hellen O’Connor Roche - was for Elysha to rise above the Park in a balloon, in a quirky reversal of Maria Walsh’s parachute jump into the park last year.
Sadly the weather put paid to this plan but the most touching aspect of the event – the release of hundreds of purple balloons – each carrying the name of someone’s lost love one – did go ahead.
It was an affecting scene as the balloons were released in unison briefly filling the grey skies with a vivid burst of colour before the cloud of balloons slowly dissipated and spread out across the town.
Amidst all the frenzied noise and colour of the festival it was a truly moving moment and one which will live in the memories of all who were there.