Seán Ó Súilleabháin, who passed away at the age of 83, was a passionate hillwalker, author, and founder of the Kerry Way, leaving a lasting impact in the southwest of Ireland. Here is a summary of his life and contributions:
His legacy includes the creation of the 214km-long Kerry Way, the second long-distance walking path in Ireland, and his dedication to building relationships with landowners for better access to the countryside.
Ó Súilleabháin authored the first volume of the Irish Walk Guides for the South West: Kerry and Cork, published in 1978, which became a classic in the field.
Born in Killorglin, he developed a love for the hills during his childhood and shared his passion with others, organizing walks and introducing people to hillwalking.
He was actively involved in his local community in Killorglin, contributing to various organizations such as TidyTowns, St. Vincent de Paul, and Killorglin Archive Society, among others.
Ó Súilleabháin played a significant role in mountaineering organizations, serving as the first chair of the Federation of Mountaineering Clubs of Ireland and establishing the Kerry Mountain Rescue team. He is survived by his wife Marguerite, four children, and four grandchildren.
