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Soroptimists Flip Into Action For Local Charities
President of Soroptimist International of Killarney and District Noeleen O'Sullivan presenting cheques to Suzanne Scully (Order of Malta), Nikki Wissel (South West Counselling Service), Breda Dylan (Kerry Cancer Support Group), Mary O'Leary (volunteer) and Reverend Simon Lumby (Church of Ireland) in the Killarney Plaza Hotel on Tuesday. PICTURE: MAREK HAJDASZ (MHPHOTOS.IE)
Beverley Is Killarney-Bound BRIT-AWARD winning singer Beverley Craven is on her way to Killarney where she plays the INEC on April 15. Beverley became a household name in the early 1990s with the release of her eponymous debut album that became a worldwide hit, selling more than two million copies. Her 1991 single, Promise Me, went on to become a huge hit across Europe and she followed this up with a string of chart successes. After a ten-year hiatus from the music business Beverley returned for some live appearances in 2004. However her “comeback” was cut short when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. “I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and it was a bolt from the blue,” Beverley told the Killarney Advertiser. “I know so many women who are suffering from it, it is an epidemic.” Following the all-clear she returned to music and in 2009 released her album Close To Home. She showed that she has lost none of her
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ability to sing from the heart about the things that truly touched her. Tragically, Beverley’s beloved sister Kathy died from cancer at just 44, a loss the singer describes as “devastating”. “I am still very angry about what happened to my sister,” she said. Beverley published her own autobiography, Truth Be Told, in 2012. The book revealed in honest detail the story of her Home Counties upbringing, the rise of her music career, her battle with cancer and the aftermath including the breakdown of her marriage and her career revival. Beverley is now looking forward to performing new songs from her current album Change of Heart alongside her timeless classics. “Expect a lot of old stuff, new stuff and stuff in between!” she said. Appearing in Ireland for the first time in over 20 years Beverley is embarking on a mini tour of Ireland and performs in the INEC Acoustic Club on April 15.
IT DREW a packed attendance when it was held on Shrove Tuesday and the pancake morning organised by the Killarney branch of Soroptimist International paid off for a number of deserving local charities this week. Receiving cheques at a ceremony in the Killarney Plaza Hotel on Tuesday were the St Mary’s Church of Ireland repair fund, the Killarney Order of Malta, and the Kerry Cancer Support Group. Part of Soroptimist International, a worldwide organisation for women, the Killarney group is one of the longest-established in the country and has notched up half a century promoting women, human rights, friendship, and assisting local causes in Killarney. Proceeds of the Shrove Tuesday pancakes and raffle morning also went to South West Counselling Centre and to local woman Mary O’Leary who is travelling to Nepal to carry out missionary work. Acting president Noeleen O’Sullivan thanked the public for their generous support, once again. “We would especially like to thank the Killarney Avenue Hotel and staff for the wonderful venue and the Pancakes,” President Noeleen said. The morning was a huge success and there was a surprise visit by Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and along with him TV cameras and the country’s national and local media. Their annual church gate collection takes place the first weekend of June and again all money goes to Soroptimist causes locally, nationally and internationally. The Soroptimists meet at The Gleneagle Hotel and one of their founder members was the late Sheila O’Donoghue of the hotel. The Killarney organisation includes women of all professions including founder member Elizabeth McCarthy, former manager of the Castlerosse Hotel.
Schools Get On Their Marks For Fitness Challenge YOUNG people will be putting their best foot forward for the AIB Schools Fitness Challenge this month. The event, in aid of the Killarney Micro Track Project, commences at 1pm sharp on April 20 and will proceed through Killarney National Park. It has the support of a number of sporting legends from Kerry GAA stars Colm Cooper and James O’Donoghue to World Student Games champion Thomas Barr. “Thomas, who competes in the 400m hurdles, is a real contender for the Olympics in Rio,” said organiser of the Schools Fitness Challenge and micro track committee member Jerry Griffin. Music and entertainment will be provided by Niall "Botty" O’Callaghan. Registration begins at 12.15 from the field in Knockreer next to the playground. “Each school will receive a framed photo of their participation with the stars,” said Jerry. “Primary school students will complete a 2k course while the secondary students will complete a 5k route.” The event is organised by Sean Coffey St Brendan's College, the community track group and Killarney Valley AC. “Last near 1000 school students arrived to meet their heroes in the beautiful Killarney National Park,” added Jerry.