The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Raising awareness of Lyme Disease
THE ongoing Lyme disease problems suffered by the former Spa GAA club footballer and Kerry footballer at various grades, Anthony Morris, have been well documented in recent months.
Anthony, son of Jim and Sheila Morris, suffered this debilitating disease for eight years before being finally diagnosed by German medics. He is now undergoing severe and very physically demanding treatment at the Jemsek Clinic in Washington DC and is accompanied by his wife Margaret and daughter Roisin. The treatment will end on next February, followed by a return home.
This comes at an immense cost, of course, and various fundraising efforts are ongoing during the past few months.
In June a group of Valentia Island cycling people came together in association with the Valentia Young Islanders GAA club to organise a cycle from the grounds of the Valentia GAA club to finish at the Spa GAA grounds. The cycle proved an outstanding success and since then the Morris family have a particular affinity with the Young Islanders GAA and cycling fraternity.
On Tuesday, September 27, as a further effort to maintain awareness of the Anthony Morris fundraising efforts, Jim Morris visited the island and was accompanied by Andy O’Sullivan (Chairman of Kenmare Shamrocks GAA Club), David Riordan (Justice of the Cork Circuit Court) and Hugh O’Flaherty (retired Justice of the Supreme Court).
The quartet first called to the Royal Hotel and were joined by the former Kerry footballer Mick O’Connell, John O’Sullivan (Chairman of the Valentia Young Islanders) and the former Valentia and South Kerry footballer Pat O’Connor. Jim Morris was also accompanied by his beloved springer spaniel ‘Rocky’.
Weather conditions in Valentia were calm, sunny and pleasant on that particular Tuesday, affording an excellent opportunity for a photo shoot by current South Kerry senior football goalkeeper, Brian O’Connor.
During the course of the photography session Jim Morris decided to entertain all present with his singing of ‘The Wildflower of the Laune’ and ’The Dying Rebel’, much to the delight and intrigue of visiting tourists and locals, who wondered as to the reason for such light-hearted antics on a quiet Tuesday of September. On being informed as to the reason, they were entirely sympathetic, and wished Anthony every success.
Having partaken of dinner in The Royal, the next port of call was a visit to the home of Mick O’Connell in Glanleam. The serene day offered from here a panoramic view of neighbouring Beginish Island to the north, the Valentia Lighthouse, situated at the entrance to Valentia Harbour and the Blasket Islands far off in the distance
The Morris entourage took full advantage of the pleasant conditions, sitting by a garden table in the open air and admiring from the O’Connell home the awesome God given views over very welcome cups of coffee and home baking, compliments of Rosaleen O’Connell and Frances O’Connell of Cahirsiveen. As he gazed over the wild Atlantic and rugged seascapes Jim , once more sang ’The Wild Flower of the Laune’ and also ‘The Hills aroung Glenswilly’ as well as ‘The Dying Rebel’. Justice David Riordan also contributed in the open air and in fine voice rendered ‘She Moved Through the Fair’.
A final visit was made to Tigh An Oileáin, the home of the Kerry Parents and Friends Association. Jim Morris, now with a well warmed up and fully in tune voice entertained residents and staff with another rendition of songs being ably assisted by residents Diarmaid O’Connell of Glanleam and Joseph Curran of Portmagee.
A notable absentee was that colourful horsey man and general farmer from Glenflesk Johnny ‘The Rock’ O’Brien. We eagerly look forward to a visit in the not too distant future.