The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)

Gala salute for legend Micheál

ALL MONEY FROM EVENT WILL GO TO IT TRALEE’S NEW SPORTS ACADEMY

- By SIMON BROUDER

THE IT Tralee Foundation Board has announced plans to hold a fundraisin­g gala dinner to honour and celebrate the life and times of one of Kerry’s most popular and best loved sons, the legendary sports broadcaste­r Mícheál Ó’ Muircheart­aigh.

Mícheál holds a Fellowship from Institute of Technology Tralee and is a valued member of the IT Tralee Foundation Board.

All proceeds from the night will go to the Foundation to complete the Institute’s €16.5m Kerry Sports Academy which is currently under constructi­on on a site at ITT’s North Campus in Dromtacker.

The centre is due to open in January 2019.

The Kerry Sports Academy will be home to: Health and Leisure programmes; the UNESCO Chair in Inclusive Physical Education, Sport Fitness, and Recreation and the National Centre for Adapted Physical Activity – CARA.

Partners in the project also include Kerry GAA and Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann in Kerry.

Director of the IT Tralee Foundation Board Ogie Moran said the board is proud tobe able to h on ourÓ’ Muirc heart aigh’ s life and legacy.

“We are delighted to be awarded the honour of hosting this gala dinner to celebrate the life and career of Mícheál Ó’ Muircheart­aigh who has often been referred to as a national treasure and it promises to be a very special night for his family, Irish sport, and indeed, the larger GAA family. We plan to formally launch the event in March and given Mícheál’s popularity, we anticipate a strong interest for this very special occasion,” said Mr Moran.

The gala dinner will take place on Saturday September 22 at the Clayton Burlington Hotel in Dublin. Guest of honour at the gala dinner will be President Michael D Higgins and the event MC will be Des Cahill. A table of 10 will cost €5,000 and these are available to book by contacting IT Tralee at 066 71 91787.

 ??  ?? Mícheál Ó’Muircheart­aigh
Mícheál Ó’Muircheart­aigh

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