
With an eye on the sky and the weather forecast, Charlie Farrelly told me last night that he’s fulfilling a promise he made to Castleisland’s Special Olympic Champion, Gary O’Sullivan about nine months ago.
Lidl to The Ivy Leaf
“We are planning to gather at the Lidl car-park on the Tralee Road – opposite the Garda station- on Saturday evening for a parade to start at 7pm.,” said Charlie.
The Castleisland Races Committee had just presented a cheque for €2,000 to the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club at Tom McCarthy’s Bar and Gary was there as a double Irish champion at the time.
Welcome Home Arranged
“Gary told me then that he had a great chance of making the Irish team for the World Games in Abu Dhabi and I promised him I would do a fundraiser for him and that I’d arrange a welcome home – provided he brought a medal – and we all know now what happened last week,” said Charlie.
“For what he has achieved he deserves to be welcomed home as an Olympic Games gold and silver medalist and there aren’t too many of those around the area.
“Jerome Stack is making the Ivy Leaf Art Centre available for a gathering there so that Gary will have a chance to meet and address the crowd and for the children of the area to appreciate what he has done and the role model he has become.
Stewards Needed
“Experienced stewards will be needed for the parade along the route from Lidl to the Ivy Leaf and we’re asking people to come out and show their appreciation for Gary’s gold and silver achievements,” said Charlie in conclusion.
Dedicated to his Grand-dad
Gary O’Sullivan won a gold medal in the shot put at the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi on Sunday and he followed that by winning silver in the 400m walk on Monday.
Family Celebrations at Kearney’s Bar
And, a family member has revealed further plans for gold and silver celebrations later on Saturday night at Kearney’s Bar from around 9pm.
In an interview for RTÉ News with Paul O’Flynn, Gary dedicated his Olympic success to his late grand-dad, Moss.

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