One of Kerry’s oldest and most famous GAA clubs is looking for the public’s help in
compiling a book of its long and storied past.
Tralee club Kerins O’Rahilly’s – whose legendary players include seven-time All-Ireland
winners Dan O Keeffe and Sean Walsh - has featured many great club and county players
over the years.
The exploits of Charlie O Sullivan, Paddy Kennedy right through to modern-day GAA greats,
Tommy Walsh and David Moran, will be brought to life in the book.
The club is based in the Strand Road area of the town, where records of football and hurling
teams representing the area go back to the late 1880’s.
The exact year in which the current club was actually formed, is part the work the club is
working to determine. Strand Road became O Rahilly’s in the 1930s and Kerins O Rahilly’s in
the 1940s - all part of the story that the book seeks to outline and explain.
A special committee tasked with researching the club’s history has already unearthed some
gems, including photos of a football team dating back to 1929, and a hurling team
representing the club from 1919.
But they believe there may be a lot of other invaluable material, lying around in drawers and
attics all over Kerry and beyond, which they’d love to unearth and include in the book.
“The book is only as good as the stories we can gather,” says committee member Paul
Mullins. “That’s why we want people to bring us their memorabilia and stories, to help us
put the jigsaw together”.
“Old photographs are particularly of interest to us, and we’re looking for material relating to
the origins, playing pitches, people, players, Ladies and Juveniles.”
A ‘Scanathon’ is being held at the club on November 8 th and 15th, 11am to 1pm, to give
people an opportunity to bring items associated with the club such as match programmes,
photos, membership cards and other items.
These will all be scanned on the day, and immediately returned to the owner.
Those who can’t attend the ‘Scanathons’ are welcome to send any items to
korchronicles@gmail.com.
Work on the book has been ongoing over the past 12 months, and it’s hoped it will be
published in the middle of next year by Hero Books, owned by former Meath All-Ireland
winner Liam Hayes.