KERRY’S BEST AND BRIGHTEST HONOURED AT COUNCIL AWARDS

KERRY’S best and brightest were honoured last night across the Kenmare, Tralee, and Killarney Municipal Districts – and when the overall list includes Olympians, All-Ireland winners, and Oscar nominees, it’s fair to say this county’s best and brightest are nothing short of outstanding.

The three regions held Kenmare Municipal District Awards ceremonies last night. Among the best-known nominees were Oscar-nominated actor Jessie Buckley; CNN reporter Donie O’Sullivan; South Africa rugby analyst Paddy O’Sullivan; the All-Ireland-winning Rathmore and Fossa teams; Paralympian Jordan Lee; and Special Olympics silver medallist Ryan Griffin.

The award winners were honoured for achievements and international, national, and local level in spheres as diverse as academia, culture, science, sport, and more besides.

The full winners lists in each municipal district is as follows:

Kenmare

Aileen Crowley and Monika Dukarska (nominated by Cllr Michael Cahill): Kerry Olympians

Cúnamh Iveragh (Cllr Norma Moriarty)

Declan Mangan (Cllr John Francis Flynn): participation for 60 years in the pantomime and Puck Fair.

Donie O’Sullivan (Cllrs Patrick O’Connor-Scarteen and Niall Kelleher)

Hike for Haulie committee (Cllr Michael Cahill)

Local Link Transport Michael Cahill)

Noel Casey (Cllr Patrick O’Connor-Scarteen): from the famous Casey rowing and wresting family, Sneem. Trained local and national competitors and Olympians.

Puck Fair Committee Michael Cahill)

Réalt na Mara Shellfish Company, Cromane (Cllr Michael Cahill): Fish and Seafood Producer of the Year at the Good Food Ireland Awards 2023.

Rosemary Hill (Cllr Norma Moriarty): for keeping the beaches in South Kerry clean by consistently doing beach clean ups and removing harmful plastics and debris that washes up.

Ryan Griffin (nominated by Cllr Michael Cahill): won a silver medal in the short javelin competition in the Special Olympics.

Scoil Réalta na Mara (Cllr Michael Cahill): All-Ireland Ocean Champions on the Marine Institute’s Award of Excellence Ocean Literacy Creative Project.

Killarney

(Cllr (Cllr

Caoimhe O’Halloran (Cllr John O’Donoghue): World Champion Irish dancer.

David Kenny (Cllr Michael Cahill): Olympian.

Fossa footballers (Cllrs Maura Healy-Rae and Cllr Niall Kelleher)

Jessie Buckley Moloney)

Jordan Lee (Cllr Michael Cahill): Olympian

Paddy O’Sullivan (Cllr John (Cllr Marie

O’Donoghue): South Africa rugby analyst.

Rathmore footballers (Cllrs Maura Healy-Rae and Cllr Niall Kelleher)

Spa GAA set-dancing club All-Ireland Scór Sinsir gold medallists (Cllr John O’Donoghue)

Tom O’Sullivan (Cllr Brendan Cronin): Winner of World Sheepdog Trials.

Tralee

Garda Mary Gardiner (Cllr Deirdre Ferris): Community Garda.

James Finnegan (Cllr Johnnie Wall): Community work and promotion of Tralee.

Rory O’Flaherty (Cllr Mikey Sheehy): European Taekwondo gold medallist.

Seán Lyons (Cllr Johnnie Wall): Community work.

Tralee Warriors Under-20s (Cllrs Mikey Sheehy and Terry O’Brien): Under-20 National League champions.

Photo by Valerie Photo by Pauline Dennigan. ABOVE: Cathaoirleach Cllr Norma Moriarty, presented the awards to the recipients. Cllr Michael Cahill proposed Local Link Transport. O’Sullivan. RIGHT: James Finnegan was presented with an award for his community work and promotion of Tralee through the Rose Festival and St. Patrick’s Day. The award was presented by Cllr. Johnnie Wall and Cllr. Terry O’ Brien, Mayor of Tralee.

Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan. Kerry County Council paid tribute to the county’s heroes and achievers at a Civic Award Ceremony for the Kenmare Municipal District at the Killorglin Area Services Centre, Killorglin on Thursday night. Cathaoirleach Cllr Norma Moriarty, presented the awards to the recipients. Cllr Michael Cahill Proposed Sharon Sugrue, Realt na Mara, Shellfish Company, Cromane, winning the Fish & Seafood Producer of the Year, Good Food Ireland Awards 2023.

Photo by Pauline Dennigan. The Tralee Municipal District Awards took place this week at the County Buildings. Garda Mary Gardiner was presented with an award for her outstanding work in the community. The award was presented by Cllr. Deirdre Ferris and Cllr. Terry O’ Brien, Mayor of Tralee.

Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan. Kerry County Council paid tribute to the county’s heroes and achievers at a Civic Award Ceremony for the Kenmare Municipal District at the Killorglin Area Services Centre, Killorglin on Thursday night. Cathaoirleach Cllr Norma Moriarty, presented the awards to the recipients, proposed by, Cllr Michael Cahill, Scoil Realt na Mara, Cromane, Crowned All Ireland Ocean Champions on the Marine Institute’s Award of Excellence-Ocean Literacy Creative Project.