This year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney – which promises to be one of the most colourful and imaginative in the entire country – will follow a familiar route to ensure maximum viewing opportunities for the thousands of people expected to line the streets.

While the lively festival zone on Beech Road will open from 12 noon to 6.00pm, the big parade magic will commence on Mission Road at 2.00pm sharp with the route taking in East Avenue Road, College Street, Plunkett Street, Main Street – where the parade grandstand will be located – and New Street before finishing on Beech Road.

There will be a collection point for children participating in the parade close to the finish line and parents and guardians are asked to familiarise themselves and their children with that area.

As is the case every year, there will be several prizes to be won, including best interpretation of theme, best marching group, most imaginative float, best sporting entry, most entertaining entry and most original entry.

The awards will be presented to the winners at a reception in the Killarney Great Southern on Thursday, March 19.

Killarney Athletic AFC is a step closer to securing a new pedestrian crossing following an update at Wednesday’s Killarney Municipal District meeting.

Cllr John O’Donoghue tabled a motion seeking a progress report on the long-requested safety measure for the Woodlawn Road.

In response, Kerry County Council confirmed that a design proposal has now been developed for a crossing in the immediate vicinity of the soccer club.

The Council stated that consultation with local stakeholders is currently progressing. Provided these discussions are successful, the local authority intends to commence the formal “Section 38” legal process in 2026.

This process is the mandatory public consultation phase required before permanent traffic calming or safety measures can be installed on public roads.