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Killarney architect named ‘king’ of his hometown

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COUNT DAVIDE: Killarney resident Davide Mosca will be made a Count in his home town in Italy next month. Photo: Michelle Crean

 

EXCLUSIVE

 

By Sean Moriarty

 

One Killarney resident has had the greatest honour that can be bestowed on him – by being named a Count – or ‘king’ - of his home village in Italy.

 

Well-known architect Davide Mosca, who has been living and working in Killarney for over 20 years, has been named as the 72nd ‘Count Pierre’ in Verrès, and is the first person abroad to receive the title.

 

Davide, who’s firm DM Design was behind the new Anam Arts and Cultural Centre in town, is also heavily involved in Killarney Celtic Football Club and Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce.

Last weekend he attended the official launch and he now plans to return with at least 30 family and friends for the February 22 to 25 event in the Alpine village of Verrès, about 80km north of Turin.

 

Legend has it that in 1450 a Countess called Catherine of Challant and her second husband, Pierre of Introd, came down from Verres Castle and joined locals in a big dance in the town square. This created a bit of a stir at the time but fondly endeared them to hearts of the locals for centuries.

 

Since World War II, every year the town's Carnevale, which is a pre-lenten bash/mardi-gras, features Catherine and Pierre leading a very lavish medieval parade between the castle and town square and four days of partying.

 

Each year the festival organising committee select a new Catherine and Pierre to lead the festivities and this year Davide received the honour – although his late father Bruno and brother Stefano has previously held the post.

[caption id="attachment_29752" align="alignleft" width="1200"] FESTIVAL: Count Davide Mosca and Countess Daniela Carli at the festival’s launch last weekend. Their marching band will be Killarney on St Patrick’s Day.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It came as a big surprise,” he told the Killarney Advertiser this week. “I am away from the village for over 20 years and I am out of their loop,” he said.

 

“I was there doing interviews with local television and the tourist board, it was going on until 2am so I asked someone what time does the castle close,” he added. “They told me ‘You decide – you are the Count’.”

 

“The tourist board were showing great interest in the fact there are so many Irish coming,” he said.

 

There are also plans to bring the current Countess Catherine, her marching band, flag bearers and drummers to Killarney for this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade.

 

“There are hundreds of people involved in the parade. There is a cost in getting them over, we won’t get everyone over, but we are working on it,” Davide added.

 

 

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Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

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Passengers using TFI Local Link Kerry services in Killarney and across the county can now pay for their journeys using contactless card payments.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the rollout this week, allowing commuters to simply tap their debit card, credit card, or mobile devices, such as Apple Pay and Google Pa, when boarding.

The move is designed to offer more convenience for those using high-frequency rural and regional routes.

In Killarney, the new payment option will be available on the TFI Anseo town services, which have seen a significant increase in passenger numbers since their introduction.

The contactless system is currently available for single journey fares, while those using daily or weekly passes can continue to use the Leap website or the TFI Leap Top Up App.
Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, welcomed the modernisation of the fleet.

“The introduction of contactless payments is another welcome step forward for public transport in Kerry,” he said. “It complements other major projects in the county, including the expansion of TFI Local Link services and the delivery of TFI Anseo in Killarney, which is proving to be another great initiative.”

While the new technology offers a modern alternative, traditional payment methods are not being phased out. Cash payments, TFI Leap cards, and Free Travel Cards all remains fully valid across the network.

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How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

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Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will be tabling a motion of no confidence against the Government after the protests that took place nationwide during the week.

Earlier today we asked our readers how would they vote in a no confidence motion against the Government?

Most of our readers said they would vote no confidence, while some said, yes they do have confidence in the Government.

One reader said: “Vote confidence. The only proper leadership over the last few days came from government. Courage came when needed despite how unpopular it looked in the moment. By contrast, opposition politicians wanted the country to burn to suit themselves”.

Another reader stated: “No confidence. Shambolic and heavy handed handling of protests this past week”.

However, some people didn’t have any confidence in either side with a reader saying: “No confidence in the no confidence! Different wings of the same bird! We need a complete overhaul of the political system”.

We asked the question to our 5 Kerry TDs before lunch-time today, asking them what their vote will be tomorrow.

We received one reply from Sinn Féin’s Kerry TD Pa Daly.

He will be voting no confidence in the Government tomorrow along with his party.

Other media outlets are reporting that Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae is undecided at the moment.

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