The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Special night to mark ‘end of an era’ at Tig an Oileáin
Warm occasion to mark Mick and Rosaleen O’Connell’s retirement from Tig fundraising
DOWN through the years the former Kerry footballer Mick O‘Connell and his wife Rosaleen have regularly acknowledged the blessing, illumination and joy their son Diarmaid has accorded them. He is their pride and joy and enjoys an excellent quality of life.
About 14 years ago they decided to donate land from Mick’s original place of abode to the Kerry Parents and Friends Association of people with special needs. This philanthropic gesture was for the purpose of ensuring Diarmaid and his friends in a similar situation would have a permanent home on Valentia Island and that they would live lives well cared for in the comfort and surrounds of their own area.
The site resulted in the building of Tig An Oileáin, the residential home for people with special needs.
It is situated not far from the village of Knightstown in a beautiful setting overlooking Valentia Harbour, Beginish Island and Dingle Bay.
From the initial stages, Mick and Rosaleen have been dedicated fundraisers for Tig An Oileáin in tandem with the Kerry Parents and Friends as well as individual and organised fundraisers.
The O’Connells have made numerous trips to America in their fundraising endeavours, attending also the Mickey Moynihan Annual Golf Classic organised for Tig An Oileáin’s benefit.
Mickey Moynihan, a successful publican in New York who owns the Aqueduct Bar in the Bronx, is originally from Rathmore and a very prominent former footballer of the sixties with New York.
Kenneth Paul Venturi (May 15, 1931 – May 17, 2013) was an American professional golfer and golf broadcaster. In a career shortened by injuries, he won 14 events on the PGA Tour and won the US Open in 1964. Shortly before his death in 2013, Venturi was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Venturi became quite friendly with the O’Connells and Tig An Oileáin fundraising activities, making very significant contributions towards it’s upkeep.
Tempus fugit, and Mick and Rosaleen have decided to retire from fundraising activities for Tig An Oileáin and so a function was held there on Monday, October 24 to honour their years of endeavours in the area.
Jim Sheehy, who is the Chairman of the Kerry Parents And Friends Association, attended in association with Tony Darmody it’s former CEO, as well as management and staff of the Tig, together with relatives of the residents.
Speakers included Jim Sheehy, Tony Darmody and Mick and Rosaleen O’Connell.
Jim Sheehy and Tony Darmody expressed their deep appreciation to the O’Connells for their generosity through the years. Jim also presented Rosaleen with an insignia depicting a StBrigid’s cross, as a symbol of the interwoven co-operation between the Kerry Parents and Friends and the O’Connells. A number of residents also made various presentations of appreciation.
It’s the end of an era for the O’Connell family and the Kerry Parents and Friend Association, but as a result Tig An Oileáin continues to be a residence of great comfort and solace for those with special needs. Go mba fada buan é.
The O’Connells and the Kerry Parents and Friends would like to sincerely express their thanks to all individuals and organisations who contributed so generously to Tig An Oileáin down through the years.