GOLFING icon Padraig Harrington gave a nod to his Beara connections when he made a special visit to Féile O’Sullivan to wish her well in her recovery.

Padraig’s dad, Paddy, is from Ardgroom, so he was determined to visit Féile, from Allihies, at the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dublin.

Cllr Finbarr Harrington told The Southern Star that Féile, whose legs were amputated following a farming accident last July, is doing very well and remains determined to return to school before summer.

‘We are grateful to Padraig because his visit was a great boost for Féile. It also helps promote the Stand for Féile Golf Classic, which is being organised by the GAA and will take place in Kenmare on April 16th, 17th and 18th.’

Demand for the initial two-day event was so high that another day had to be added to the €500 per-team-of-four event. This means 150 teams will now converge on Kerry for the major annual fundraiser.

Finbarr said that the golf classic, along with a schools’ Jersey Day and the proceeds of this year’s Ring of Kerry cycle, will bring the total to around €300,000.

When added to the €780,000 already raised for Féile and her family via the GoFundMe campaign, this will bring the Trust Fund for her medical and aftercare expenses to around €1.3 million.

‘With just three or four slots left to fill,’ Finbarr said, ‘it shows that people really want to support Féile, who has at all stages demonstrated nothing but bravery, resilience and grace.’