Kenmare Chronicle

Kenmare Chronicle Your Town, Your Community, Your History and this is Your Chronicle.. Be it a few lines or a full story, we would like to know.

A KENMARE CHRONICLE
STORIES BEHIND THE PICTURES
Over the past years the Kenmare News has by reporting the monthly happenings in and around Kenmare and has in a way started a modern record of the area but it has been a long time since a publication has been brought out to record the history of Kenmare and the Kenmare News is considering publishing a ‘Kenmare Chronicle’ to go back further in times p

ast using old photographs to record the stories behind the pictures. This yearly publication will reflect the changing faces of the town and the surrounding areas with new and old pictures and their associated stories. It will also act as a reference to the social history, the stories of every day happenings of the people . In order to make this project feasible we will require help and assistance from everyone in the community. Often photographs can lay hidden in the bottoms of draws or in old shoeboxes for years or generations with the pictures fading and the stories behind them become forgotten. What we are envisaging is the recording of these moments in time for future generations to be able to ponder. You may have some interesting photographs of your family, friends and neighbours, the town, sporting events and special occasions with a story that you would like to share with us in this publication. If you have, please get in contact with us through the Kenmare News or call into Willowfield Garden Centre. All photographs will be scanned for future reference and returned promptly to their owners. The scanned copies will then be stored with their stories on computer to form an archive on Kenmare with selections being used in each publication of the Chronicle. The data base archive will be made available for anyone wishing to carry out research on the social history of the area. A page will also show pictures for visitors to comment on and identify with. A picture may paint a thousand words but as the picture fades the characters lose their identities and the words may just become murmurs. This combination of a printed Chronicle and an archive will preserve these happenings in time for prosperity. So, please, have a hunt through your old photo albums, old boxes and draws for pictures that can still tell a story and get in touch with us. This recording of Kenmare past and present will always be of interest to future generations from the area and also to Kenmare families now living abroad. By taking steps now , we can preserve these moments in time so neither the picture or story will fade. We are hoping to obtain the photographs and stories from individuals within the community as well as through the schools and various social groups in the area. This coupled with extracts from the monthly publications of the Kenmare News from the year itself will produce a collectable annual record of the happenings in Kenmare. The publication will also help contribute to the support of Arts and Sports in the Kenmare Schools. This way the past will also help to support the future.

KENMARE O'SULLIVAN STORIES......Read on ! Michael Albert Broad was born in Stanmore England in 1955 to Joan (née O...
06/07/2025

KENMARE O'SULLIVAN STORIES......Read on !

Michael Albert Broad was born in Stanmore England in 1955 to Joan (née O'Sullivan) a native of Kenmare and salesman William Alfred Broad who was from Birmingham.
At the age of two he moved with his parents to New York where his sister June was born. The family returned to the UK four years later and settled in Dorking. When he was 15 the family moved to Bromely and later to Goring-by-Sea.
The stage name "Billy Idol" was coined after his chemistry teacher described him as "idle" on his school report card.
Billy later chose the name "Idol" instead of "idle".

In 1976 Idol joined the newly formed West London retro-rock band Chelsea as a guitarist. After a few weeks Idol and Tony Jim's quit Chelsea and co-founded Generation X, with Idol switching from guitarist to singer/frontman and achieved fame on the London punk rock scene. Generation X was one of the first punk rock bands to appear on the BBCs, Top of the Pops. Idol moved to New York in 1981 and embarked on a solo career which led him to International recognition. His debut solo album "Billy Idol" was released in 1982. Idol became MTV staple with "White Wedding" and "Dancing With Myself". "Rebel Yell" Idols second LP launched in 1983 was a major success and established Idol in the United States. In 1986 Idol had hits with "To be a Lover", "Don't Need A Gun" and "Sweet Sixteen". In 1990 the song "Cradle of Love" earned Idol a third Grammy nomination for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.

Idol resides in Los Angeles. He never married but has a son William born in 1988 with English singer and dancer Perri Lister. William has been a member of the rock band FIM. Idol also has a daughter Bonnie from a relationship with Linda Mathis. Idol has three granddaughters. He gained American citizenship in 2018.
In 2023, Idol was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2025 he was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.

BILLY IDOLS : O'SULLIVAN CONNECTIONS

The O'Sullivan (Ríagh) family originated in a place called Doogary which is close to the 'Toll Gate' near the Black Valley. The O'Sullivan family moved from Doogary south to Graignagreanna after the famine. Dan O'Sullivan then left there to work at Dromore Castle and he settled in Cappancush. He married Johanna Sweeney from Derrylahan, Kenmare and they had two sons and a daughter. Dan and Johanna's daughter Johanna married a Gallivan man from Coomnakilla. Dan and Johanna's son John married an English woman Lydia March whom he met while working in Dromore. John and Lydia's family were known localy as the John Ds and the family currently still reside at the original home in Cappancush. John and Lydia's daughter, Joanna Lydia married Billy Noonan and are the great grandparents of current Kerry footballer Sean O'Shea. Their son Michael moved to Kenmare where he worked at Lansdowne Lodge and married Joanna Coffey from Gortnamulle. They started the business the Commercial Hotel on Henry Street. Their children included, Dick who was a Captain in the Irish Army and Aide-de-Camp to the minister Tim Healy of Healy Pass fame. Donal F (Donie Michael) who married Sheila O'Sullivan (Batt) and took over the Post Office contract in 1928. Their son, John P.O. senior was born in the Commercial Hotel. Michael (Mikey Michael) who's daughter Joan is mother to rock singer Billy Idol.

Information : -
John F O'Sullivan junior, Kenmare P.O.

More O history from Marianne McGrath, '' This man was my grandmother’s ( Nora May Sullivan ) Brother John J o Sullivan ...
02/07/2025

More O history from Marianne McGrath, '' This man was my grandmother’s ( Nora May Sullivan ) Brother John J o Sullivan
Don’t know a lot about him only he was stationed in Waterford and was in the RIC
would love to know more about him ?

2nd photo is of my great grandparents ( parents of the above siblings)
James and Helena who raised my grandmother and her siblings in a 2 roomed house in Derrynid..
They were labourers

Thanks
Marianne McGrath

KENMARE O'SULLIVANS and HURLING ................HURLING has been played in the l...
02/07/2025

KENMARE O'SULLIVANS and HURLING
................

HURLING has been played in the locality long before the foundation of the GAA. It has been documented that in 1858 there was a hurling team in Hoboken, New Jersey made up of emigrants from these parts who called themselves the Kenmare Guards. The team included eight O'Sullivans.
Kenmare won the first ever Kerry Senior Hurling Championship in 1889 beating Kilmoyley in the final. Kenmare bad beaten Kilgarvan in the semi-final by 0-2 to 0-01. Interestingly at the time Kenmare were known as The O'Connells and Kilgarvan were known as the Shamrocks.
The1889 winning team included six O'Sullivans; Michael, Daniel F., Pat, Tim, Michael D. and Thady E. O'Sullivan. Kenmare won again in 1902 with Michael D. and Con O'Sullivan on the team. Templenoe entered a team in the 1903 County Hurling Championship, loosing to Tralee Celtic in the first round.Kenmare beat Lixnaw in the 1916 Senior Hurling Final. Tulig won the County Junior Championship and the County Board could only afford one set of medals so Kenmare had to play Tullig for the set of medals.Surprisingly Tullig defeated Kenmare. On the 1916 team were Pat O'Sullivan and Phil O'Sullivan from Lauragh (Kerry football captain 1924). Tralee Parnells defeated Kilgarvan in the 1918 County Hurling Final with Tom O'Sullivan and Dick O'Sullivan (Roger) playing for Kilgarvan. Parnells were again crowned Kerry Senior Hurling Champions in 1919 after they received a w/o from Kilgarvan in the final. Phil O'Sullivan who had taken up a teaching post in Ballymacelligot was on the Parnells team. Kilgarvan had defeated neighbours Bonane by 4-01 to 2-0 in the 1919 County Semi-Final. Kenmare won their last County Senior Hurling title in 1942 beating Lixnaw in the final. Four O'Sullivans, Florry, Tadhg, Johnny and Paddy 'Dan Mick' O'Sullivan were on the victorious Kenmare team.

Kilgarvan won the 1953, '56 and '58 County Senior Hurling Championships. Denis P O'Sullivan (Cooper) Ardtully played as a forward on all of the three winning sides while his brother Con played at corner-back on the 1953 team. Kilgarvan lost the 1959 final to Ballyduff with Denis playing at corner forward alongside Jackie Healy-Rae at full forward. Denis P with Kenmare's Mick McCarthy were selectors of the Kenmare District team which brought the first ever County Minor Hurling Championship to the area in 1959 when they defeated Ardfert in the final by 3-5 to 3-2. Con O'Sullivan (Dorrihey) Tuosist, Jack 'Patsy' O'Sullivan Kilgarvan and Michael O'Sullivan (The Lounge) Kenmare were on this winning squad. Denis P and Thomas Randles Kilgarvan were selectors of the Roughty Rangers team which won the U16 County Hurling Championship in 1967.Mick O'Sullivan(Roger) Kilgarvan, Mickey 'Ned' O'Sullivan and John, Dan and Flor O'Sullivan were amongst this winning panel. Denis P. was also a selector with the Kerry Senior Hurling squad which won the All Ireland Junior Hurling Championship in 1961. Kilgarvan's Sean Healy played at mid-field while Kenmare's Tony Murphy was a sub for this victorious side. Denis P was a long serving secretary for his club Kilgarvan and also served as County PRO in the early 1980s. Denis's nephew Conor and grandnephew Richard O'Sullivan have both won County U-21 Football Championships with Kenmare District. His niece Alice has represented Ireland at Basketball and he was a first cousin to former Dublin footballer Cathal O'Leary and was also a close relative to Cork dual players the O'Halpín brothers through their paternal grandmother Margaret Sullivan (Cooper) who was a native of Ardtully.

Joe 'Dan' O'Sullivan (Goula) of Caher East along with Kilgarvan's Joe Joe Purcell and Dan Healy 'Timis' were members of the Kerry Minor Hurling team which ran Waterford close in the 1964 Munster Championship first round. Joe and his brother Brendan 'Dan' played minor with Kilgarvan while their brother Sean 'Dan' played for Kenmare. Joe was also on the Kenmare/Kigarvan team that lost the 1962 County Minor Hurling Final.

A Kenmare-Kilgarvan-Killorglin amalgamation playing under the name Kilgarvan lost the 1975 County Senior Hurling Final. Kenmare's Florry and Dan O'Sullivan were on this side which finished runners-up to St.Brendans. Kenmare won the County Minor Hurling Championship in 1983 and reached the 1991 County Senior Hurling Final, loosing out to Ballyduff. This team included players from Kilgarvan. Gerald O'Sullivan (Morgan) Bonane was captain. He also played hurling for Kerry at Junior level. The South Kerry Senior Hurlihg League trophy is named in honour of Gerald's brother former Kenmare hurler, Denis O'Sullivan (Morgan). Their first cousin John O'Sullivan (Morgan) was a member of the Kenmare District panel which won the the 1987 County Football Championship, while their nephews, former Tuosist and Kerry players Darragh and Tadhg Sughrue currently play inter-county football with Limerick. Gerald and his nephew Denis O'Sullivan from Sneem have both won County Intermediate Hurling Championship titles with Kenmare Shamrocks.

In 1984 Kenmare/Kigarvan won the U14 Féille na NGael Div.3 Hurling competition and in doing so became the first team from Kerry to win a National hurling title at this level. They defeated St.Annes from Wexford in the final. The team was managed by P.J. McIntyre and Andy O'Sullivan. Andy, a former Kenmare club chairman and native of Buttevant County Cork joined Kenmare as a player in 1975 and has since coached and selected teams in hurling from juvenile up to senior level and he has served in a number of positions as a club officer and delegate. Andy has also represented Kerry on the Munster Council Coaching Sub-Committee and is the current President of the Kenmare Shamrocks Club. Kenmare won Div.1 of the County Minor Hurling League in 1986 and went on to win a County Minor Hurling C'ship in 1988. Kenmare also won three County U21 Hurling Championships during the 1980s. Pat O'Sullivan (Roger) Kilgarvan, Denis O'Sullivan 'Patie' Bonane, and Johnny 'Jer' O'Sullivan Templenoe, were amongst the players from this successful era. Kenmare/Kilgarvan won a second Féile U14 National Hurling title in 1992, this time defeating Keady from Armagh in the Division 4 decider. Brendan O'Sullivan (McCann) and Michael Paul O'Sullivan (Goula), both from Mangerton in Kilgarvan were on this winning squad.

Kenmare won the County Minor Hurling Championship again in 2010 defeating St.Brendans in the final. Colm O'Sullivan (Dan), Kevin and Tommy O'Sullivan (Arthur), Andrew O'Sullivan (Andy) and Kilgarvan's Adrian O'Sullivan (Sean) and Michael and Jerry O'Sullivan were on this winning squad.
Kerry Hurlers won the 2011 All Ireland U-21 'B' Hurling Championship defeating Westmeath in the Final. Michael P. O'Sullivan of Coomclogherane, Kilgarvan along with Kenmare's Alan O'Leary were members of this winning side. Alan's paternal grandmother was Eileen O'Sullivan from Clonee in Tuosist. Michael and Alan also played on that years Kenmare/Kilgarvan U-21 Hurling team which finished runners-up Kilmoyley. Kilgarvan's Kieran O'Sullivan (Down), with the minor players named above were also involved.
Fionan O'Sullivan (Caoch) from Ballygriffin, is a dual player who has represented Kerry in hurling at Senior, U-21 and Minor level and is the holder of two All Ireland Minor 'B' Hurling Championship medals which he won with Kerry in 2013 and 2014. Liam O'Sullivan of Gortnamullen, also a dual player with Kenmare Shamrocks has represented Kerry in hurling at Minor level and played on the Pobal Scoil Inbhear Sceíne team which reached the Corn Uí Mhuirí Munster semi-final in 2025. Liams father Danny and uncle Tommy O'Sullivan (Gow) both played on the Kenmare District team which won the Kerry County Senior Football Championship in 1987. Kilgarvan's Kieran O'Sullivan, and Kenmare's Aidan O'Sullivan-Casey are other dual players who has represented Kerry in recent times at juvenile hurling and football and have played on the Pobal Scoil Inbhear Sceine team which reached the semi-final of Corn Uí Mhuiri in 2025.



THE O'FARRELL FAMILY : CORK.

The O'Farrells are a well known hurling family in Cork who have strong roots in the Kenmare area. Prior to moving from Kenmare to East Cork, Sean O'Farrell played hurling for Kerry. His parents were Patrick O'Farrell of Kilkeanna and Nora O'Sullivan (Gow) of Letter, Templenoe. Seamus O'Farrell from Middleton was on the Cork All Ireland Minor hurling winning sides of 1969 and '70, U-21 All Ireland winning sides in '71 and '73, Intermediate winning side of '71 and he has also played with Cork at Senior level. Seanie O'Farrell has won All Ireland Minor with Cork in 1995, All Ireland U-21 in '97 and '98, All Ireland Intermediate in '97 and a N.H.L Div.1 title with the Cork Seniors in 1998. He has also won three Cork Senior Hurling Championships with Imokilly in '97 and '98 and with Carrigtwohill in 2011. Luke O'Farrell was the winner of a Dr. Harty Cup Schools medal in 2006, a Munster Minor Championship medal in 2008, an All Ireland Intermediate in 2009 and a Muster Senior Hurling Championship medal in 2017. Between 2010 and 2017 he made 24 appearances for the Cork Senior Hurlers, scoring a total of 4-19. Luke has also won a Cork U-21 Hurling Championship with Middleton in 2011 and a Cork Senior Hurling Championship in 2013.


THE Ó HALPÍN BROTHERS : CORK

Another well known Cork sporting family are the Ó Halpín brothers. The family are of Irish-Fijian descent. Their paternal grandmother was Margaret 'Peggy' O'Sullivan (Cooper) from Ardtully, Kilgarvan.
The eldest brother Seán Óg, a dual star with Cork has won numerous honours with the Rebels including three All Ireland Senior Hurling titles, including captain in 2005, five Senior Munster Hurling, one Senior Munster Football, one N.H.L. Div.1, one N.F.L. Div.1, two All Ireland U21 Hurling, three Munster U21 Hurling, one All Ireland Minor Hurling, two Munster Minor Hurling, one Railway Cup-Hurling, one Railway Cup-Football, one International Rules, GPA Hurler of the Year, All Star Hurler of the Year, three Hurling All Star Awards, RTE Sportsperson of the Year, Texaco Hurler of the Year. Seán Óg has also won two Senior Club Hurling, a County Minor Hurling and a County Minor Football with Na Piarsaigh.
Setanta Ó Halpín played with the Cork minor hurlers in 2000. He won a Fitzgibbon Cup with Waterford Institute of Technology in 2003 and also played alongside Sean Óg on the Cork Senior Hurling team which finished runners-up to Kilkenny and was voted 'Young Player of the Year' in Hurling.
The same season Setanta moved to Australia where he joined Australian Football team Carlton. In 2004 he returned home to play in the International Rules Series with Ireland. While at home he won a County Senior Hurling C'ship with his brothers for Na Piarsaigh. In 2009 he played his 50th AFL game, becoming the third Irishman to achieve this. He moved to Great Western Sydney in 2012.
Aisake Ó Halpín was top scorer for his club Na Piarsaigh when they won the Cork Senior Hurling Championship in 2004. Between 2005 and 2008 he played alongside his brother Setanta at Carlton Australian Football Club. After this he returned to Ireland and played two seasons, 2009-2010 with the Cork Senior Hurlers before signing for Maribyrnong Park Australian Rules Football Club. In 2014 he rejoined his brother Setanta to play for Albury Australian Rules Club.
Teu Ó Halpín has played Minor and U-21 hurling for Cork.
In 2001 he transferred from his club Na Piarsaigh to Eire Óg in Ennis and declared for Clare. He played inter-county for London in 2004 and while there won a London County Hurling Championship with the Robert Emmets Club.
He later joined Australian Rules Football League of Ireland club Leeside Lions and won the 2007 Premiership along with Tadhg Kennelly's first cousin Denis Kennelly.

Attached photo below…Kerry Minor Hurlers versus Waterford in the first round of the Munster Championship at Killarney in 1964.
Front row, third from right Joe "Dan" O'Sullivan, Cahir East, fourth from right Joe Joe Purcell, Kilgarvan, fifth from right Dan Healy, Kilgarvan




CAMOGIE
..............


A new camogie club, 'Ceann Mara' has just recently been formed to cater for players in the Greater Kenmare region. The game of camogie was played in the area in the past and prior to the formation of Ceann Mara, some ladies from the locality in recent times played with the Killarney Camogie Club. Martha O'Sullivan from Coolnacoppoge, Bonane has played for Killarney and has also represented Kerry in inter-county camogie in recent years. In 2025, Ally McGrath, daughter of Roisin O'Sullivan (Goula) formely of Inchicloon Dromoughty, played at corner-back on the Cork Minor Camogie team who finished runners-up to Kilkenny in the All Ireland Minor Camogie Final. Ally along with her twin sister Emily play their club camogie with Éire Óg in Cork.

.........

KENMARE O'SULLIVANS cont......O Sullivan Stephen Mike DansStephen Mike Dan O’ Sullivan (born 26th Dec 1884) originally f...
01/07/2025

KENMARE O'SULLIVANS cont......O Sullivan Stephen Mike Dans

Stephen Mike Dan O’ Sullivan (born 26th Dec 1884) originally from Esk West Bonane, built 26 Henry Street in the early 1030’s, he also built the Post Office next door at number 27 Henry Street.
Stephen Mike Dan was married to Hannah Shea. (Born 1886) on 14th February 1920.
He was an avid card player who played poker on a weekly basis. His son Michael also played cards actively participating in bridge games in Kenmare.
Stephen was a keen golfer in the 1920’s and was one of the 32 locals captured by Denis Santry’s witty caricatures with the caption “Out of sight begob”
more to follow to this story but in the family photo are...
Stephen Mike Dan O Sullivan , Hannah O Sullivan (nee Shea), Mickey O Sullivan, Ettie O’ Sullivan (nee Lynch), Julia Lynch (nee Sullivan) Michael Lynch

KENMARE O'SULLIVANS... now we have reached the turning point of the year we now have to concentrate in putting all the O...
30/06/2025

KENMARE O'SULLIVANS... now we have reached the turning point of the year we now have to concentrate in putting all the O'Sullivan stories together for our publication in November. We would like to thanks everyone who has sent in their stories and photographs so far. It will take us a couple of months to sort through everything as so much has come in so there is still time to send us in info and pics if you havent done so already..... but we are getting closer to the cut off point. .
[email protected]
Pic below Michael and Eoin O'Sullivan , Lehud School,,,many years ago !

SUNDAY RAMBLINGS...old boxes of letters, telegrams, invoices etc.Its amazing what you can find if you go rooting. All so...
29/06/2025

SUNDAY RAMBLINGS...old boxes of letters, telegrams, invoices etc.Its amazing what you can find if you go rooting. All sorts of stories can arise from thes boxes . ..even enough to write a whole book about as David Fitzpatrick did.! This book does actually contain a chapter on a Kenmare O'Sullivan finding his way in Australia. So, if you find a box of old letters please dont throw them out...it is a valuable source of information on your families history.

KENMARE O'SULLIVAN STORIES continued.....We received an amazing account of the O’Sullivan (Caoch) and O’Sullivan (Greens...
27/06/2025

KENMARE O'SULLIVAN STORIES continued.....We received an amazing account of the O’Sullivan (Caoch) and O’Sullivan (Greens) of Milleens, Bonane, Kenmare, Co.Kerry. yesterday.
The whole story is far too long to include here but this is just the introduction to a well documented family history that will appear in this years publication. Thanks to Sheila Flanagan and all the members of her branch of the O'Sullivan family for compiling this.article......So here's the first few paragraphs

A short distance from Bonane Chapel in Milleens about 200 yards off the main road sits an old ruin.
The Tithe Applotment Books lists the occupant as Timothy Sullivan(Caoch) in the year 1827.
Timothy is our Great, Great, Great, Grandfather. Timothy was married to Margaret Kelly. Both
were born at the latter part of the 1700’s and married between 1810—1815. We can identify 2
children. John 1817 and his sister, Nora.
John Sullivan(Caoch) married Ellen Shea also of Milleens. Ellen was the daughter of Eugene Shea
and Mary Donoghue. John and Ellen married in the early 1850's in the immediate aftermath of
the Great Famine when families and communities were decimated and dispersed by death and
emigration. They had four children:- Mary (born approx 1856), Timothy (born 1862), Joanna and
Patrick. John died around 1868/69 leaving Ellen, who was now in her late 30’s with 4 children to
raise and no man to work the farm. It was the late 1860's with poverty and the threat of eviction
hanging over people trying to survive. A marriage needed to be arranged to keep the farm.
The family story tells us that Eugene O’Sullivan Green (c 1841 - 1926) a left-handed Shoemaker
and farmer came over the mountain from Sionnach, Glantrasna, Tousist, to call on the widow,
Ellen. The end result was that Eugene would marry Ellen’s daughter, Mary. She was 14 years old.
They married in 1870. Mary knew him for only 2 weeks before the wedding. In her later years
she would describe their marriage as good and that Eugene was a very kind man. They had 14
children, four of those died at birth and their son Eugene dying in his youth to what was later
thought might have been appendix. Their children included Michael Joseph (1871), Daniel
Eugene(1873), John Joseph (1875), Cornelius Edward(1879), Norah(1883), Julia Ann(1891),
Patrick (1887), Mary (Minnie 1884/85 ), and James (Jim 1895/96).
And there is plenty more to read about this family in this years publication........

O'SULLIVAN STORIES cont.......Tim 'The Point' O'Sullivan and family
26/06/2025

O'SULLIVAN STORIES cont.......Tim 'The Point' O'Sullivan and family

O'SULLIVAN STORIES continued....From around 1962'63 in Daurus/Tuosist/Dromoughty area pulling poles through the mountain...
24/06/2025

O'SULLIVAN STORIES continued....From around 1962'63 in Daurus/Tuosist/Dromoughty area pulling poles through the mountains for the ESB power connection in Tuosist in 1963 ??. with TIM 'The Point' O'SULLIVAN of Daurus Point and his helper Dermot O'Shea of Pound Lane, Kenmare and 'BILL' the horse !

SPORTING SULLIVANS...continued ( compiled by Sean O'Sullivan)LADIES GAELIC FOOTBALLIf anyone wants to add any more names...
23/06/2025

SPORTING SULLIVANS...continued ( compiled by Sean O'Sullivan)
LADIES GAELIC FOOTBALL
If anyone wants to add any more names to this list please get in touch and send us what information you might have to [email protected]
Photographs of each player would be great too.
On the other hand if any of these players mentioned do not want to appear on this list or even in our publication please let us know and we apologise and will remove the name from the list. But hopefully all will be in favour of this list of Sporting O’Sullivans. Other sports lists will be following soon.

CATHRIONA O'SULLIVAN : TUOSIST
Cathriona O'Sullivan (Greene) of Killaha West Tuosist, along with her clubmates Denise Purcell and Cathriona Healy both from Kilgarvan were members of the Kerry Ladies football team which won the All Ireland U-14 Championship in 1993. Cathriona played her club football with the Kenmare Ladies Football Club. Denise's mothers side are O'Sullivan (Goula) from Kilowen while Cathriona is married to former Kilgarvan hurler and footballer Donal O'Sullivan (Goula).

CLAIRE O'SULLIVAN : TEMPLENOE
Claire O'Sullivan (Mort) Templenoe and clubmates Michelle O'Connor Templenoe and Aoife Godfrey Kilgarvan were members of the Kerry Ladies team which won the 2007 Munster U-14 Football Championship. The same year Claire scored 1-01 for Kerry in their All Ireland Quarter-Final win over Monaghan. After emigrating to England, Claire with former clubmate and Kerry Senior player Caroline McCarthy of Tulloha Kenmare represented London Senior Ladies in the All Ireland Junior Football Championship.

JULIE O'SULLIVAN : TUOSIST
Julie O'Sullivan (Goula) of Inchicloon Dromoughty won an All Ireland U16 Championship with Kerry in 2016 and was a member of the UCC Senior Ladies team who were runners-up to the University of Limerick in the 2022 All Ireland Colleges Final (O'Connor Cup). She played at corner back on the Kerry Senior Ladies team which won the NFL Div.2 title in 2022, defeating Armagh in the final at Croke Park and that same year played on the Kerry Senior Ladies team which finished runners-up to Meath in the All Ireland Final. In 2023 Julie became the first Kerrywoman to play in the AFLW (Aussie Rules) after she along with Kerry team-mate Paris McCarthy signed for the Sydney Swans Club in Australia. Since changing codes Julie has been a regular in the Swans first team and is currently playing in her third season at the club.

EMMA O'SULLIVAN : TUOSIST
Emma O'Sullivan (Goula) of Inchicloon, Dromoughty has represented Kerry Ladies at Juvenile, Minor and Senior 'B' levels. Emma along with her twin sister Julie, won a County Minor League playing with Castleisland Desmonds in 2018. In 2023 Emma captained Mary Immaculata College Thurles to an All Ireland Colleges League title. She played at centre-forward for Kerry in the Munster Senior 'B' Championship in 2023 and 2025.

ELLEN O'SULLIVAN : TEMPLENOE
Ellen O'Sullivan (Gow) of Coomnakilla Templenoe, sister of former Kerry Minor footballer Stephen O'Sullivan, has played football with Inbhear Sceine Gaels (ISG) at juvenile, minor and senior grade. Ellen along with her clubmate and relative Julie O'Sullivan was a member of the Kerry Ladies football panel which defeated Dublin to win the All Ireland Ladies U-16 Football Championship in 2016.

AMY HARRINGTON : KENMARE
Amy Harrington of Kilowen, daughter of former Irish athlete Maureen Harrington Tuosist and Eugene O'Sullivan (Thady) Cross Roads has represented Kerry in Gaelic Football at minor and senior level. Amy played county minor football for Kerry in 2018. Her I.S.G. clubmate Sarah Taylor, daughter of Caroline O'Sullivan-Casey captained the side. Amy was a member of the 2023 Kerry Senior Ladies team which won the NFL Div.1 title and finished runners-up in the All Ireland Final. She was also a member of the Kerry squad which won the All Ireland Senior Ladies Football Championship in 2024 and has played Colleges football (O'Connor Cup) with UCC.

CATHERINE O'SULLIVAN : SNEEM
Catherine O'Sullivan (SIMONS) from Gleesk in Sneem plays her club football for Inbhear Sceíne Gaels (ISG) Ladies Football Club. Catherine has represented Kerry in Ladies Gaelic Football at U14 grade.

AMY O'SULLIVAN : TUOSIST
Amy O'Sullivan 'Tim' from Slatefield, Dromoughty along with her cousin Saoirse Hussey, Bonane were members of the Kerry Ladies panel which won the Munster U-14 Football Championship in 2024. Amy and Saoirse's aunt Jean O'Sullivan has also represented Kerry at U-14 level.

DANIELLE O'SULLIVAN : TUOSIST
Danni O'Sullivan, the youngest of the three O'Sullivan (Goula) sisters of Inchicloon, Dromoughty has represented Kerry at U-14 level in Gaelic Football. In 2025 Danni played at centre-half-back and captained the Kerry Ladies U14 team which won the Munster 'B' Championship and finished runners-up to Dublin in the All Ireland 'B' Championship Final.

SPORTING O’SULLIVANS from the KENMARE AREA.. ( by Sean O’Sullivan)Below we have some info on O’Sullivans from the Kenmar...
22/06/2025

SPORTING O’SULLIVANS from the KENMARE AREA.. ( by Sean O’Sullivan)

Below we have some info on O’Sullivans from the Kenmare area who have played inter-county football at the top level. It would not be possible to include all the O'Sullivans from the local area who have played GAA over the decades as you would need a book in itself to deal with the numbers involved. So I decided to keep it mostly to those that have played inter-county level.
If anyone wants to add any more names to this list please get in touch and send us what information you might have to [email protected]
Photographs of each player would be great too.
On the other hand if any of these players mentioned do not want to appear on this list or even in our publication please let us know and we apologise and will remove the name from the list. But hopefully all will be in favour of this list of Sporting O’Sullivans. Other sports lists will be following soon.

CIAN O'SULLIVAN : DUBLIN
Cian O'Sullivan former Dublin footballer is the son of Kilgarvan native John O'Sullivan(Roger) of O'Sullivan's Bar Kilgarvan. Cian has won eight All Ireland Senior Championship's, ten Leinster Senior titles, five NFL titles along with three All-Star Awards during his senior inter-county career with the Dublin between 2009 and 2021. Cian won his first All Ireland Senior playing at mid-field for Dublin in 2011. He received his first All-Star award in 2013 and added a further two in '15 and '17. After Dublins loss to Donegal in 2014, manager Jim Gavin deployed Cian as a "sweeping centre back". He became the lynchpin in the Dublin team. Cian has also won three County, two Leinster Senior and an All Ireland Senior Club Championship in 2009 with his club Kilmacud Crokes. The O'Sullivan family still own the family pub in Kilgarvan. Coincidentally the present landlady Mary Twomey is a great-grandniece of Phil O'Sullivan who captained Kerry in 1924, while another relative of Mary and Phil's, Brian O'Leary represented Cork in Minor football in 1963. Meath Senior footballer Cillian O'Sullivan is a distant relative of Cians. Cillians family are originally O'Sullivan(Rogers) from Cumeendavassig Kilgarvan.

TEDDY O'SULLIVAN : TEMPLENOE
Teddy O'Sullivan(Gow), a native of Reen, played his club football with Templenoe and later with Ballyduff in North Kerry where he was posted as a Garda in 1961. Still only a minor, he lined out at wing-back for the Kenmare District team who were runners-up in the 1954 County Senior Final. Ten years later Teddy lined out at centre forward for Shannon Rangers in the 1964 County Final. They defeated East Kerry with Teddy scoring Ranger's goal. Teddy made a total of six appearances for the Kerry Minors and four appearances at Junior level. In 1962 he was selected to the Kerry Senior panel for their National League match against Wexford which Kerry won. He has served as both secretary and chairperson of the Austin Stack Park Committee in Tralee. Current Templenoe player Aidan Crowley, a member of the Kerry U-20 Munster winning squad in 2024 is Teddy's grandnephew.

PAUL 'PADDY' O'SULLIVAN : URHAN
Paul 'Paddy' O'Sullivan a native of Urhan County Cork has represented both Cork and Kerry in football and has won County Championships in both counties. Paul was a member of the Urhan team which won the 1967 Cork Intermediate Football Championship and the same year also played on the Beara team which won both the Cork and Munster Senior Football Championship's. Paul along with his brothers were among ten O'Sullivans who lined out for the victorious Beara squad. After moving to Kenmare Paul won a Kerry Senior Football Championship with Kenmare District in 1974. The winning squad included six O'Sullivans - Jimmy O'Sullivan (Runner) Collerus, Mickey 'Ned' O'Sullivan Kenmare, Flor and Dan O'Sullivan Tubrid, Johnny O'Sullivan-Casey Templenoe and Paul 'Paddy' O'Sullivan. Paul has also represented Kerry in Junior Football.

DERMOT O'SULLIVAN : TUOSIST
Dermot O'Sullivan of Dromerkeen Lauragh played his club football with Tuosist and was a member of the Kerry panel which won the 1976 All Ireland U-21 Football Championship. Dermots late father Jerry (Jer Denis) won New York Senior Championships with the Kerry Club in New York in the 1950s while his brother Denis(Den)O'Sullivan played at wing-forward for Kenmare District when they won the 1987 County Final. Dermots son Alan has represented Kerry at all levels.

SEAN O'SULLIVAN : SNEEM
Sean O'Sullivan (Convent) from Sneem was a member of the 1988 All Ireland winning Kerry Minor team. He made three appearances scoring two points.The same season Sean won an All Ireland Vocational Schools medal with Ballyvourney. He went on to represent Kerry at U-21 level making six appearances and scoring a total of three points. He was a member of the 1991 Kerry team which defeated Meath in the All Ireland Junior Football Final. The team was captained by Tuosist's Teddy Harrington. Sean made seven appearances for the Kerry Juniors, scoring a total of six points. The same season he was selected for the Kerry Seniors in the National League versus Down, scoring a point.

JOHNNY O'SULLIVAN : KENMARE
Johnny O'Sullivan(Gow) the 'Atlantic Bar' was an influential mid-field player for Kenmare Shamrocks at club level and Kenmare District in the Kerry Senior Football Championship. Johnny represented Kerry in Junior football in 1999.
His brother Michael (Junior) played club football for Templenoe and for the Kerry Techs. Johnny's son Jack was a member of the 2023 Kerry Minor panel.

FLOR O'SULLIVAN : TUOSIST
Flor O'Sullivan of Lehid, Tuosist, along with club mates John Joe Brosnan and Marcus McNally were members of the Kerry Football squad who won the 2006 All Ireland Junior Football Final. Flor was also a member of the 2005 Kerry Junior side which lost to Cork in the Munster Final. Flor made seven appearances for the Kerry Juniors. He also represented Kerry at U-21 and minor level winning a Munster minor medal in 1998. He played at mid-field for Tuosist when they won the Kerry Novice Championship in 2008 and the Munster Junior 'B' Club Championship in 2009. The winning Tuosist panel included seven O'Sullivans ; Steve O'Sullivan(Gloss)-capt.,, Morgan and Flor O'Sullivan(Flor), Alan and Dermot O'Sullivan(Jer Denis), Mike 'Tim' O'Sullivan and Denis O'Sullivan (Island) and was managed by Denis O'Sullivan(Jer Denis). Flor was also a highly influential player at mid-field for many years for Kenmare District in the County Senior Football Championship.

ALAN O'SULLIVAN : TUOSIST
Alan O'Sullivan(Jer Denis) from Dromerkeen in Lauragh was a member of the Kerry Minor panel which won the Munster Championship in 2004 and was selected again in 2005. He had a total of seven minor appearances scoring 0-03.
He was a Kerry U21 in '06 and '07 and again in '08 playing at mid-field in Kerrys win over Kildare in the final. He made eight appearances in total for the U21s scoring 0-04. In 2007 Alan was selected for the Kerry Juniors and again in 2008 with Tuosist club mate Colm Brosnan and went on to win a Munster Championship medal. He won a second Munster Junior in 2010 as well as Munster and All Ireland Junior in 2012 . He was a member of the Kerry Senior panel for the 2010 NFL. At club level he won a County Novice in 2008 and a Munster Junior 'B' Championship in 2009 with Tuosist. After moving to Killarney as a school teacher, he won four Senior Championships with Dr.Crokes, three Munster Club titles and an All Ireland Senior Club Championship in 2017.

MIKE 'TIM' O'SULLIVAN : TUOSIST
Mike 'Tim' O'Sullivan from Slatefield in Dromoughty was a member of the Kerry Minor football team which defeated Tipperary in the 2008 Munster Final and eventually lost out to Mayo in the All Ireland semi-final. Michael played at centre and left-half forward and made six full appearances scoring a total of 1-03. He also played on the Tuosist side which won the 2008 County Novice and the 2009 Munster Junior 'B' Championships. Since retiring from football Mike has coached Tralee CBS teams in Colleges football and is the current trainer/selector with the Kerry Senior Ladies.

KEVIN O'SULLIVAN : KENMARE
Kevin O'Sullivan(Arthur) of Tubrid is a duel player who was a member of the Kerry team which won the 2016 All Ireland Junior Football Championship defeating Lancashire in the final. He scored 1-01 over the campaign. He along with his brother Tommy have won Munster Junior and Intermediate Club Football Championships with Kenmare Shamrocks. Kevin was also involved with the Kerry Senior squad in 2020. His father Arthur played on the Kenmare District County winning team of 1987 alongside his brothers-in-law Mick, Pat and Tommy Spillane while Kevin's uncles Dan and Flor O'Sullivan were on the 1974 County Championship winning side. Kevin's late grandfather Florry O'Sullivan won a County Senior Hurling with Kenmare in 1942.

STEPHEN O'SULLIVAN : TEMPLENOE
Stephen O'Sullivan of Capanacush West was born in London. His grandfather Stephen O'Sullivan(Gow) who is a first cousin to the late Gerald and Teddy O'Sullivan of Legion is a native of Barraduff townland. Stephen has won two All Irelands with the Kerry Minors in 2014 and 2015, playing at corner forward in Kerrys win over Donegal in the 2014 final and at wing forward in the 2015 victory over Tipperary. He made twelve appearances for the Kerry Minors, scoring 0-08 in total. Stephen also made five appearances for the Kerry Juniors scoring 4-08. He played at corner forward for the Juniors in their All Ireland win over Meath in 2017 and in the same position in the 2019 Junior Final win over Galway contributing 1- 04. At club level he scored 3-01 for Templenoe in their 4-13 to 1-10 All Ireland Junior Club final win over Arderree Sarsfields from Mayo in 2018 and received the Man of the Match Award. Stephen currently plays his club football with Penrith Gaels in Sydney, Australia.

DONAL O'SULLIVAN : KILGARVAN
Donal O'Sullivan(Down) of Churchground Kilgarvan is a dual player who has represented Kerry footballers on seven occasions at minor level scoring a total of 2-16, six appearances for Kerry at U-21 level scoring 1-27 and ten appearances with the Kerry Seniors, five as a sub and has scored 2-10 in total. He is the holder of All Ireland Senior and Munster Championship medals with Kerry in 2023, National Football League Div.1 medals in '23 and '25 and a Kerry Senior Championship medal won with East Kerry in 2023.

JACK O'SULLIVAN : KENMARE
Jack 'Atlantic' O'Sullivan(Gow) of Gortnamullen was a member of the Kerry minor football panel whch won the Munster Minor Championship in 2023. Playing at mid-field he also captained the Pobal Scoil Inbhear Sceíne team which reached the semi-final stages of the 2025 Corn Uí Mhuiri Munster Senior Schools Football Championship.

DONNCHA O'SULLIVAN : TUOSIST
Donncha O'Sullivan(Goula) of Inchicloon, Dromoughty was a member of the Kerry Minor football squad which won the Munster Minor Championships in 2024 and who lost to Derry in the All Ireland semi-final. Donncha was a key figure at centre forward on the Pobal Scoil Inbhear Sceíne team which reached the semi-final of the Corn Ui Mhuirí - Munster Schools Senior Football Championship in 2025 and receivied the Pobal Scoil Senior Player of the Year Award (Tom O'Connor trophy) in recognition of his performances on the field of play that season. His grandfather Denis was a first cousin to the Legions Gerald and Teddy O'Sullivan.

O'SULLIVAN CONNECTIONS :
Former and present Kerry senior footballers Paudie and David Clifford, Seanie O'Shea, Stephen O'Brien and Gavin Crowley all have local O'Sullivan ancestry.

VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS FOOTBALL/HURLING :
The following is a list of some of those who represented Kerry in Vocational Schools (Krrry Techs) Football :
John O'Sullivan( Dan D) Tuosist., Timmy O'Sullivan(The Junior) Kilgarvan., Johnny O'Sullivan(Brendie) Sneem., Sean O'Sullivan(Pete) Sneem., Michael 'Junior the Atlantic' O'Sullivan(Gow) Kenmare., Joe O'Sullivan(Pioneer) Kenmare. Alan O'Sullivan(Jer Denis) Tuosist and Sean O'Sullivan (Convent) Sneem both played Vocational Schools football in Cork. Kilgarvan's Pat O'Sullivan(Roger) of Cumeendavassig and his cousin Denis Randles of Fossa Kilgarvan played for the Kerry Techs in hurling.

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