One of Ireland’s biggest fundraising events has raised more than €1.5m for local charities.

"The Kerrymen are down from the mountains" was the greeting from a smiling Taoiseach Enda Kenny for some life-long Fine Gael supporters who turned out yesterday to welcome him to Killarney.

Intending participants in one of the country’s top charity fundraisers have been urged to sign up swiftly as the numbers are limited to 9,000, for safety reasons.

“I honestly don’t think I would have survived this long without it because communication is the essence of life and it would literally break my heart if I was unable to speak to my family and friends.’’

Nine Kerry-based charities are to benefit from the 2014 Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle.