By Michelle Crean

It's a popular town tradition and it's back again this year, the annual Killarney Memory Tree.

The official 'Switch On' of the ninth Holy Cross Mercy School Memory Tree will take place on New Road, Killarney on Thursday, December 2 at 7pm.

And this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions it will be held in a similar way to last year. The Memory Tree will be lit nightly during the Christmas season until January 6, The Feast of The Epiphany.

"Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the much anticipated rituals associated with our Memory Tree will be in a similar format to last year, for that reason we are still online!" said school principal, Ursula Coffey.

"We will have an online shop www.mercyholycross.ie to purchase lights on our school website as well as a virtual “switch on” night. In addition as always, lights are available for purchase from all school pupils and staff members. Lights can be ordered in memory of a loved one for a suggested donation of €5. All proceeds are in aid of Holy Cross Mercy School, Killarney."

Those being commemorated by the Memory Tree will be remembered in a live streamed Holy Sacrifice Mass at 1.15pm on Thursday, December 17 in St Mary’s Cathedral.

"All are welcome to join us online via the Killarney Parish Webcam on www.killarneyparish.com. We thank everyone who has supported this initiative in the past as it is an extremely important fundraiser for our school."

All are welcome to visit the tree while maintaining a safe distance from one another in accordance with the COVID-19 safety guidelines, she added.

"Please look on www.mercyholycross.ie or contact 064 6631241 for further information. Keep an eye on our social media for further details of the switch on event and the live streamed Mass. Thank you for your support."