Operation Transformation Bandwagon Rolls On In

Among the crowd at the Operation Transformation shoot at An Riocht on Thursday night were - photographs from bottom left: No. 1. Richard Harnett, Mary Fleming and OT cameraman, Paddy Murray. Back: Dr. Eddie Murphy and director, Andy Malone. No. 2. Richard Harnett, Denny McSweeney and Mary Fleming. No 3. Richard Harnett, Elma Brosnan, mary Fleming and cameraman, Paddy Murray. Back: Seán Brosnan and Andy Malone. No. 4. Jeremiah Tangney, Eileen Brennan, Noreen Casey, Lisa Kerin and Joan and George Glover. No 5. Top left: Tara Walmsley and her little girl, Cliona. No 6. The crowd gathers around speakers, Dr. Eddie and Richard Harnett. No 6. Eileen O'Connor (left) and Kate McSweeney taking up the collection for Pieta House on the night. ©Photographs: John Reidy 16-1-2014 — Among the crowd at the Operation Transformation shoot at An Riocht on Thursday night were – photographs from bottom left: No. 1. Richard Harnett, Mary Fleming and OT cameraman, Paddy Murray. Back: Dr. Eddie Murphy and director, Andy Malone. No. 2. Richard Harnett, Denny McSweeney and Mary Fleming. No 3. Richard Harnett, Elma Brosnan, mary Fleming and cameraman, Paddy Murray. Back: Seán Brosnan and Andy Malone. No. 4. Jeremiah Tangney, Eileen Brennan, Noreen Casey, Lisa Kerin and Joan and George Glover. No 5. Top left: Tara Walmsley and her little girl, Cliona. No 6. The crowd gathers around speakers, Dr. Eddie and Richard Harnett. No 6. Eileen O’Connor (left) and Kate McSweeney taking up the collection for Pieta House on the night. ©Photographs: John Reidy 16-1-2014

The Operation Transformation bandwagon rolled into Castleisland on Thursday evening. Base camp for the local shoot was An Riocht Athletic Club headquarters at The Crageens. A compact crew of director, Andy Malone and cameraman, Paddy Murray were accompanied by on-screen panellist, Dr. Eddie Murphy, clinical psychologist.

National OT finalist Richard Harnett and An Riocht AC manager, Denny McSweeney welcomed the team to the venue. There they were met by the Kerry IFA chairman, Sean Brosnan and Kerry Farm Family chairperson, Mary Fleming.

In spite of the anything but ideal weather and a full moon, just over 200 people from the locality and its hinterland turned up for the unique occasion.

Pieta House, which is due to open a branch in Castleisland next month, benefited from the event as the proceeds of the Couch 2-5K was donated to the worthy cause.

The growth and associated problems of rural isolation – which were flagged by Richard Harnett on RTE Radio 1 interviews before Christmas – were very much to the fore on the occasion.

Both Dr. Murphy and Mr. Harnett addressed the urgent need to tackle the issue. They both recommended that people active in events and occasions like the trice-weekly Couch 2-5K would consider inviting someone they may suspect is going through a rough patch.

Dr. Murphy was hugely impressed with the facilities at An Riocht and the organisers declared themselves well pleased with the turnout on the occasion.

Now it’s all eyes peeled and glued to Operation Transformation on RTE 1 on Tuesday night.