News
Christmas parades attracted over 25,000 people to town
By Sean Moriarty
Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Niall Kelleher has praised the efforts of the volunteers behind the Christmas in Killarney Festival who pulled off an exceptional series of events in difficult circumstances.
HAVING FUN: Dale Good and Damien O'Neill enjoying the parade.
FAMILY FUN: Kathleen Ellie Paddy Deirdre and Fionn McCarthy enjoying the fourth Christmas in Killarney Parade on Saturday night
EXCITEMENT: Jackson Lucianna and Marie Dooley at Saturday night's parade.
NIGHT LIFE: Mary O’Donoghue Kate and Evie Caterina McCarthy.
GET TOGETHER: Saoirse Brosnan Gearoid Brosnan Oisin Brosnan Oran Hayes Aoife Hayes Helen Hayes Patrice Hayes Marie Brosnan Nick Hayes and Mike Brosnan attended Saturday's parade.
HOT CHOCOLATE: Kara O’Keefe Ben O’Keefe Una Hayes Hayden O'Keefe and Cathal Hayes enjoy some festive treats on Saturday night.
PRETTY IN PINK: Ella Kelly Callum O'Connor Shauna Kelly Michaela Kelly Mary Ellen Kelly Mia Kelly Paddy and Bobby Murphy.
SANTA CALUSE IS COMING TO TOWN: Alissa Isabel and Sophia O'Leary with Connor Donnchadgh and Eadoinn Herlihy waiting to see Santa parade through town on Saturday night.
DRESSED UP: Silva Maro Divo and Mathew Lucic are dressed to impress at the Christmas in Killarney Parade on Saturday.
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HAVING FUN: Dale Good and Damien O'Neill enjoying the parade.
FAMILY FUN: Kathleen Ellie Paddy Deirdre and Fionn McCarthy enjoying the fourth Christmas in Killarney Parade on Saturday night
EXCITEMENT: Jackson Lucianna and Marie Dooley at Saturday night's parade.
NIGHT LIFE: Mary O’Donoghue Kate and Evie Caterina McCarthy.
GET TOGETHER: Saoirse Brosnan Gearoid Brosnan Oisin Brosnan Oran Hayes Aoife Hayes Helen Hayes Patrice Hayes Marie Brosnan Nick Hayes and Mike Brosnan attended Saturday's parade.
HOT CHOCOLATE: Kara O’Keefe Ben O’Keefe Una Hayes Hayden O'Keefe and Cathal Hayes enjoy some festive treats on Saturday night.
PRETTY IN PINK: Ella Kelly Callum O'Connor Shauna Kelly Michaela Kelly Mary Ellen Kelly Mia Kelly Paddy and Bobby Murphy.
SANTA CALUSE IS COMING TO TOWN: Alissa Isabel and Sophia O'Leary with Connor Donnchadgh and Eadoinn Herlihy waiting to see Santa parade through town on Saturday night.
DRESSED UP: Silva Maro Divo and Mathew Lucic are dressed to impress at the Christmas in Killarney Parade on Saturday.
LEAD IMAGE
The festival returned this year after the pandemic forced its cancellation in 2020, but the organising committee still had to operate under current and ever-changing public health guidelines.
The first Christmas in Killarney parade took place on Saturday, November 27 and continued every Saturday night until December 19.
It is estimated that in excess of 25,000 people attend the four parades this year.
He explained that the Christmas in Killarney Committee and Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce "pulled out all the stops this year" with a fantastic festival.
“This year – with the magical parades returning – we created an incredible atmosphere for those living and working in Killarney and those coming home or visiting for Christmas," Mr Kellher told the Killarney Advertiser.
“Killarney has always given an example to other towns that if it worth doing, then it is worth doing right. Standing in the town centre during the month of December, you can observe a visual spectacle that many other locations could only dream about. The spectacular weekly street parades with sensational floats, magically illuminated with lighting and sound, are an absolute joy to witness and the street lighting display and giant decorations at key points are just fantastic focal points.”
Eric Jenkinson wins camera club award with Dingle landscape
The stunning landscapes of Kerry continue to inspire members of the Killarney Camera Club, with this month’s themed competition, titled “Kerry Landscape,” producing a high standard of entries.
Following last week’s feature on the unrestricted category winner, Noel O’Neill, this week showcases the winning photograph in the Novice Category by Eric Jenkinson.
His striking photograph, titled “Wild Atlantic Way,” impressed the judges with its colour, composition, and sense of place. The image captures the rugged beauty of the Dingle Peninsula, featuring Clogher Beach in the foreground and the iconic Three Sisters landmarks in the background.
Eric’s success highlights his photographic talent and his appreciation of the county’s natural scenery along the Wild Atlantic Way coastline.
End of an era as Killarney dentist Brendan Coffey retires
It marks the end of an era for local dentistry as Brendan Coffey prepares to retire after a 38-year career in Killarney.
Brendan returned from England in 1988, buying a house on New Street from Paddy Doyle and converting it into the Killarney Dental Clinic. The practice officially opened its doors on Friday May 13, 1988.
“As I had started the surgery from scratch, I had no idea when or if my first patient would come,” Brendan said. “I didn’t have to wait long, my neighbour Johnny Healy from Healy’s shop in New Street arrived first thing and gave me my start.”
In a fitting completion of the circle, Johnny is booked in as Brendan’s final patient on Wednesday of this week.
Brendan thanked the community and his former colleagues. “The people of Killarney and all around have been the most wonderful, loyal, and friendly people to have met and have the privilege to treat for the last 38 years,” he said. “I would like to give special mention to my wife Brenda, who acted as a hugely popular practice manager for many years.”
In October 2022, Brendan’s son Jack and his wife Emma took over the practice before expanding the business to a state-of-the-art facility at the Reeks Gateway.
“I feel a huge sense of satisfaction and pride in what the practice has become,” Brendan added. “So, I will sign off by saying: easy on the sweets, give up the fags, and don’t eat for two hours.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for a full story on Brendan’s career.
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