OVER 600 people packed into the Mount Errigal Hotel last night for a tribute night in memory of the late Manus Kelly.
Pictures by Brian McDaid
The Glenswilly man died tragically in June while competing at the 2019 Donegal International Rally – an event he had won in each of the previous three years.
Manus had so many strings to his bow, from his family, to politics, to rallying, Gaelic football, business and life in general.
It was in rallying circles where he was best known. Many competitors and friends turned out to pay their tributes on what was an emotional night of reflection.
Denis Ferry and his son, Matthew, traveled the length and breadth of Ireland getting a shirt signed by all previous winners of the Donegal International and the item raised €12,000 last week in New York.
A Memorial Trust has been established in Manus’s honour.
“Our goals are to keep Manus’ legacy and memory alive, and also to assist Manus’s wife Bernie and their children in their future, which is what was at the heart of what Manus lived for,” the Trust says.
The proceeds raised will have a phased distribution and the Trust has four trustees – Donall Barrett, Paul Doyle, Seamus Doherty and Damian Doherty.
Donnagh Kelly Conor Foley and Andrew Nesbitt at the Manus Kelly ni,ght. Seamus Hegarty , Declan. Boyle and Conor Curley . Bernadette and Kelvin Keys and Dervala Lafferty Donal Barrett with Seamus and Anne Neely. Bridie and Tommy Keys and Bridie Conboy Jannie McDaid, Kelvin and Bernadette Keys Brenda Lynch and Conor Mc Clafferty Ann and Tony Kelly with Alan Tyndall Meave and Seamus Mc Laughlin at the Manus Kelly night. Michael and Mary Black with Garry Mc Elhinney and Pauric Mc Ginley. Cllr Martin Mc Dermott, Cllr Rena Donaghey, Charlie Mc Conalouge T.D. Cllr Davy Mc Dermott with Susan and John Byrne. Anne Mc Fadden and Roseleen Connelly Austin Mc Hale, Garry Jennings , Tim Mc Nulty, Gareth Mc Hale and Arron Mc Hale. Jackie Callaghan, Cllr Noreen Mc Garvey, Ann Gallagher , Pat the Cope Gallagher T.D., Charlie Kelly and Gerard Callaghan. The late Manus Kelly family at the tribute night including Donal and Jacquline sisters Breigeen, Kelda, Ciara and Shannagh brothers Donal, Caolan, Teigharan and Leon. Photo Brian McDaid Bernie Kelly arriving at the Mt. Errigal this evening pictured with her son Manus as they are greeted by Terry Mc Eniff Paddy O’Donnell with Bernie and son Manus at on of Manus’ first rally car which was on show tonight at the Mt Errigal Hotel. Donal Barrett with Declan Boyle and Andrew Nesbitt at the Manus Kelly tribute evening. Eddie Fries who travelled home from New York for the tribute evening for Manus Kelly pictured with the Mayor of Donegal Nicholas Crossan and his wife Rosemary. Dermott and Eileen Mc Gettighan , Cathal and Dale mc Gettigan at the Mt Errigal. Drew and Andrew Russel at the tribute night for Manus Kelly. Copper Mc Fadden Neil Gallagher , Lee Gildea and Paul Rodgers Damien and Olive Daly at the function. Charlie Kelly pictured with Garry and Kerry Jennings at the Mt. Errigal Hotel.