The Longest Day is on Saturday June 18th

At the launch of The Longest Day Charity event at Tom McCarthy's Bar this evening were: Gerry Fagan, Norma Nolan-Moran, Tom McCarthy, Nora Conway, Pieta House Kerry; Denny Greaney, Georgina Fagan and Eileen Greaney. ©Photograph: John Reidy. — At the launch of The Longest Day Charity event at Tom McCarthy’s Bar this evening were: Gerry Fagan, Norma Nolan-Moran, Tom McCarthy, Nora Conway, Pieta House Kerry; Denny Greaney, Georgina Fagan and Eileen Greaney. ©Photograph: John Reidy.

Great local events which are having a ripple effect on the wider charity communities don’t just happen. They are planned meticulously and for months in advance.
The Longest Day Committee has been doing just that since the last one finished in June 2015.
On Monday evening they launched their fully hatched plans with the date of Saturday, June 18th decided on and Pieta House as its main beneficiary.
The event fills the roads around here with cyclists in training in the lead up to the mid June date. The day itself involves a crack-of-dawn departure on the bikes from Tom McCarthy’s Bar en route for Cronin’s Yard at the butt of Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrantouhill.

Almighty Evening, Night and Morning
The participants then climb the mountain, return to base camp and get back on the bikes and cycle back to an almighty evening, night and morning in Tom’s.

A Day to Remember: Longest Day participants' supporters of all ages gathering for the welcome home party as they await the return of their heroes this evening. ©Photograph: John Reidy — A Day to Remember: Longest Day participants’ supporters of all ages gathering for the welcome home party as they awaited the return of their heroes last June. ©Photograph: John Reidy

In only two outings since its founding in 2014, the event has raised over €45,000 for a range of charities with a local involvement.
“The success of our event, on the two previous dates, is due to great team work and the outstanding facilities provided in both Tom McCarthy’s Bar and in Cronin’s Yard,” said committee spokesperson, Georgina Fagan.

Sponsors – A Vital Part
“Our sponsors and participants are all a vital part of the event and without all of these we would not have this great day and its amazing spin-off for the deserving charities,” said Ms. Fagan.
At the launch on Monday evening, Nora Conway, representing Pieta House Kerry, thanked the committee for choosing the charity as the recipients of The Longest Day 2016 proceeds and she outlined the services provided at their Moyderwell, Tralee centre.

One-to-One Counselling
“Pieta House crisis centre provides one-to-one counselling free of charge for people who have attempted suicide, people who have thoughts of suicide and people who engage in self harm and that’s across a wide span of ages,” said Ms. Conway
“The centre has five therapy rooms. Because of the generosity and goodness of the people of Kerry we are able to provide this service. Pieta House encourages people who are in a crisis to ask for help immediately,” she said.
Pieta House Kerry can be contacted at No. 28 Moyderwell, Tralee and by telephone on:
066 71 63660
The Longest Day 2016 Registration Night is Friday, April 22nd at Tom McCarthy’s Bar from 6pm-10pm. The registration fee is €30.