The coming Sunday, June 4th at 12:30pm the 158th running of Castleisland Races will be held on the Powell’s Road lands of Maurice Brosnan.
This year the races are part of the Castleisland Summer Fest which will kick off on Friday evening, June 2nd with the Humphrey Murphy Memorial 5k and 10k Road Race and Fun Run.
Registration will start at 6.30pm. Walk/race will start at Limerick Road at 7pm. Entry fee for both will be €10 per person and €20 for families.
Glebe Lodge Centre
All proceeds will go to Glebe Lodge Residental Care Centre, Brosna Road, Castleisland. Participants will receive a souvenir medal. Tea/coffee will be provided afterwards.
Saturday night it’s Strictly Come Dancing in the community centre with Desmond Ladies GAA Club and and Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál as beneficiaries.
The show will get underway on Saturday night, June 3rd at 7.30pm in Castleisland Community Centre.
Tickets are now on sale at €20 each for the fundraiser. They can be purchased at Lynch’s Pharmacy, Lower Main Street and from the Muire Gan Smál Presentation Primary School or from committee members and the dancers themselves.
There will be entertainment during the interval and, afterwards, people can dance the night away to DJ Ray! There will be a full bar on the night in the community centre.
10 race Card on Sunday
Castleisland Races will host a card of 10 top class flat races with leading horses from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales taking part.
A total prize-fund of €5,000 has been secured for the event. There will be live music on the course on the day with Timmy O Connor and all the entertainment associated with the annual meeting.
There will also be face painting, bouncing castles and fun for all the family. All vintage cars and tractors and other such items are invited to take part in the race day activity.
Sweet FA on the Street – Literally
Unfortunately due to insurance issues with the band the live music session scheduled for Lower Main Street on Sunday night had to be cancelled at the last minute when all possible avenues were exhausted. The committee wishes to apologise to all who were looking forward to this event.
Proceeds from the races go to local charities including: Castleisland AFC; Glebe Lodge Residental Care Centre; Castleisland and District Social Club; Gael Scoil Aogain; St. Joseph’s and St. Ita’s National School and other local charities.
Cycle for St. Ita’s and St. Joseph’s NS
On Friday, June 9th there will be a 40k leisure Cycle in aid of St Ita’s and St Joseph’s National School, Tralee. Registration will take place at the Library Car Park at 6.30pm. There is an entry fee of €10 per bike and the cycle will start at 7pm.
“St. Ita’s and St. Joseph’s School is located in Balloonagh, Tralee. It is both a primary and post primary school that caters for the needs of children with mild, general learning difficulties,” teacher, Louise McCarthy explained.
Pupils from Castleisland and District
“There are over 90 pupils attending the school and over 40 staff members, many of whom are from Castleisland and the surrounding area.
“Pupils have the opportunity to complete Junior Cycle Level 2 and 3, The Leaving Certificate Applied as well as the traditional Leaving Certificate.
“The school has purpose built Autism classrooms, including a sensory room and social area.
“In the coming months work is to begin on two new classrooms, a woodwork room and vocational skills room.
Of Great Benefit
“The money raised from this cycle will be of great benefit to the school.
Sport plays a big part in our school and pupils enjoy a range of activities such as soccer, basketball, swimming, horse-riding, surfing, horticulture, mindfulness and relaxation classes – the list goes on,’ said Louise.
Drive-In Bingo is Back
Finally, on Sunday, June 11th. Drive-in Bingo is checking back in by a chorus of popular demand. This will be held in the hugely accommodating and previously tried Castleisland Co-Op Mart Yard.
Along with the generous sponsors of the events listed, the committee is also supported by Kerry County Council and Castleisland Chamber Alliance.
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