News
St Patrick’s Day parade winners announced
Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club has won the sought-after overall award in recognition of their colourful and action-packed entry to this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney.
Martina McCarthy Kerry Stars Special Olympics Group Best Voluntary Group award with Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Also included are Kathleen Fitzgerald Vincent Lacke Clare Rohan Geraldine Burke Siobhan Looney and Jane Curran. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Donie Murphy and Martin Muldoon Killarney Athletic FC Killarney Athletic AFC winners of the John ‘Killer’ O'Callaghan Memorial Trophy for Best Sporting Entry with St Patrick's Festival Killarney Chairman Paul Sherry Cathal Walshe (Grand Marshal ) PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) and Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Teresa Cronin Scarlett O'Sullivan Tracy Cronin Florence Sexton and Ciara Dorgan Art House Killarney Most Imaginative award with Cathal Walshe (Grand Marshal) PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) St Patrick's Festival Killarney Chairman Paul Sherry Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and Bridget O'Keeffe (Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Senior Executive) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Natalia Eismont Ukrainian Community Killarney Most Stylish Entry Award with Cathal Walshe (Grand Marshal) Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Also included are Vikteriia Tuychenko Tryna Semeniutyna Olga Porokhina Bohdan Pchelnykov Maksym Lukashevych and Tryna Lychuk Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Spa GAA Club winners of Best Sports Club award with PJ McGee from Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) and Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Angie and Aileen O'Brien Christy Healy's New St. Best Window Display with Cathal Walshe (Grand Marshal) PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) and Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Matthew Bowman The Europe Hotel accepting the Best Greened Building Award from Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Teresa Irwin presents the The Peter Irwin Memorial Perpetual Award for Best Marching Group/Cultural Arts to Gillian McCarthy Millstreet Pipe Band. Also included are Bridget O'Keeffe (Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Senior Executive) Ciara Irwin Foley Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) Emir Irwin O'Shea Cathal Walshe (Grand Marshal) and St Patrick's Festival Killarney Chairman Paul Sherry at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and Mike Courtney present the Michael Courtney Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Interpretation of Theme to Claire Tangney Wander Wild Festival. Also included are Cathal Walshe (Grand Marshal) Laura Tangney Alice Thompson Carol Dempsey and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Anne O'Keeffe presents the Sean O'Keeffe Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Overall Entry to John Courtney Killarney Valley Classic & Vintage Club. Also included are Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney St Patrick's Festival Killarney Chairman Paul Sherry and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Anne O'Keeffe presents the Sean O'Keeffe Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Overall Entry to John Courtney and Ger Healy Killarney Valley Classic & Vintage Club. Also included are PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) and Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney Br Pat Lynch OFM Franciscan Friary Guardian (Parade Judge) PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) St Patrick's Festival Killarney Chairman Paul Sherry Bridget O'Keeffe (Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Senior Executive) and Cathal Walshe (Grand Marshal) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Shane O'Callaghan Kilcummin Comhaltas winners of the Best Children’s Group with Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Alice Thompson Claire Tangney Carol Dempsey and Laura Tangney Wander Wild Festival winners of the Michael Courtney Memorial Perpetual award for Best Interpretation of Theme at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Fiona Crowley and members of the Fiona Crowley Stage School winners of the Best School Award with Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Johnny McGuire Sandra Dunlea Con Duggan and Edyta Hernas Killarney Tidy Towns Most Entertaining Award with Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Killarney Scorchers Cheerleading and Gymnastics Club Best Activity Group award with Cathal Walshe (Grand Marshal) Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Trevor O'Donoghue and Charlene Hickey Liebherr Container Cranes Most Original Entry Award with Cathal Walshe (Grand Marshal) Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
The Best Green Themed Building went to the Europe Hotel and Resort. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
Martina McCarthy Kerry Stars Special Olympics Group Best Voluntary Group award with Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Also included are Kathleen Fitzgerald Vincent Lacke Clare Rohan Geraldine Burke Siobhan Looney and Jane Curran. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Donie Murphy and Martin Muldoon Killarney Athletic FC Killarney Athletic AFC winners of the John ‘Killer’ O'Callaghan Memorial Trophy for Best Sporting Entry with St Patrick's Festival Killarney Chairman Paul Sherry Cathal Walshe (Grand Marshal ) PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) and Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Teresa Cronin Scarlett O'Sullivan Tracy Cronin Florence Sexton and Ciara Dorgan Art House Killarney Most Imaginative award with Cathal Walshe (Grand Marshal) PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) St Patrick's Festival Killarney Chairman Paul Sherry Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and Bridget O'Keeffe (Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Senior Executive) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Natalia Eismont Ukrainian Community Killarney Most Stylish Entry Award with Cathal Walshe (Grand Marshal) Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Also included are Vikteriia Tuychenko Tryna Semeniutyna Olga Porokhina Bohdan Pchelnykov Maksym Lukashevych and Tryna Lychuk Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Spa GAA Club winners of Best Sports Club award with PJ McGee from Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) and Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Angie and Aileen O'Brien Christy Healy's New St. Best Window Display with Cathal Walshe (Grand Marshal) PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) and Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Matthew Bowman The Europe Hotel accepting the Best Greened Building Award from Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Teresa Irwin presents the The Peter Irwin Memorial Perpetual Award for Best Marching Group/Cultural Arts to Gillian McCarthy Millstreet Pipe Band. Also included are Bridget O'Keeffe (Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Senior Executive) Ciara Irwin Foley Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) Emir Irwin O'Shea Cathal Walshe (Grand Marshal) and St Patrick's Festival Killarney Chairman Paul Sherry at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and Mike Courtney present the Michael Courtney Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Interpretation of Theme to Claire Tangney Wander Wild Festival. Also included are Cathal Walshe (Grand Marshal) Laura Tangney Alice Thompson Carol Dempsey and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Anne O'Keeffe presents the Sean O'Keeffe Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Overall Entry to John Courtney Killarney Valley Classic & Vintage Club. Also included are Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney St Patrick's Festival Killarney Chairman Paul Sherry and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Anne O'Keeffe presents the Sean O'Keeffe Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Overall Entry to John Courtney and Ger Healy Killarney Valley Classic & Vintage Club. Also included are PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) and Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney Br Pat Lynch OFM Franciscan Friary Guardian (Parade Judge) PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) St Patrick's Festival Killarney Chairman Paul Sherry Bridget O'Keeffe (Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Senior Executive) and Cathal Walshe (Grand Marshal) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Shane O'Callaghan Kilcummin Comhaltas winners of the Best Children’s Group with Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Alice Thompson Claire Tangney Carol Dempsey and Laura Tangney Wander Wild Festival winners of the Michael Courtney Memorial Perpetual award for Best Interpretation of Theme at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Fiona Crowley and members of the Fiona Crowley Stage School winners of the Best School Award with Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Johnny McGuire Sandra Dunlea Con Duggan and Edyta Hernas Killarney Tidy Towns Most Entertaining Award with Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Killarney Scorchers Cheerleading and Gymnastics Club Best Activity Group award with Cathal Walshe (Grand Marshal) Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
Trevor O'Donoghue and Charlene Hickey Liebherr Container Cranes Most Original Entry Award with Cathal Walshe (Grand Marshal) Cllr Niall Kelleher Mayor of Killarney and PJ McGee Daly's SuperValu (sponsor) at the St Patrick's Festival Killarney parade prizegiving function in The International Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh
The Best Green Themed Building went to the Europe Hotel and Resort. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
Delighted club representatives were presented with the Seán O’Keeffe Perpetual Trophy – in memory of the former Mayor of Killarney and parade stalwart – at a gala presentation of prizes in the International Hotel, Killarney on Tuesday night.
The award for the Best Interpretation of the Theme, which was Killarney: Experience More, went to the Wander Wild Festival who received the Michael Courtney Perpetual Trophy which is dedicated to the memory of another former mayor of the town who spearheaded the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations for many years.
The John ‘Killer’ O’Callaghan Perpetual Trophy for the Best Sporting Entry was won by Killarney Athletic AFC and the Peter Irwin Memorial Trophy for the Best Marching Group and Cultural/Arts Entry went to Millstreet Pipe Band.
The Best Sports Club was Spa GAA, the Best Children’s Group prize was won by Kilcummin Comhaltas and the Best New Entry was Killarney Rugby Football Club.
There was an international flavour to the Best Musical Entry which was scooped by the Glenridge High School Marching Band from New Jersey.
The prize for the Best Voluntary Group went to the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club, the Best School Award went to the Fiona Crowley Stage School and the Best Activity Group was deemed to be Scorchers Cheerleading Club.
The Most Entertaining Entry went to the Killarney Tidy Towns group, the prize for the Most Original Entry was won by Liebherr Container Cranes and the Most Imaginative Entry in the parade was the Art House, Killarney.
The Most Stylish Entry prize was awarded to the Ukrainian community whose representative said they were delighted to play a part in Ireland’s national holiday and thanked the people of Killarney for the warm welcome they have received.
Other prizes presented on the night included the Best Window Display which went to Christy Healy’s on New Street who were celebrating 100 years in business on St Patrick’s Day, while the Europe Hotel and Resort won the Best Green-Themed Building prize.
The judges for the parade were Br Pat Lynch, Guardian, Franciscan Friary, Pam Brosnan, Killarney Musical Society and Denis McMahon.
The awards were presented by Killarney St Patrick’s Festival Chairman Paul Sherry, Mayor of Killarney Cllr Niall Kelleher, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Senior Executive Bridget O’Keeffe, and parade grand marshal Cathal P Walshe.
Funding sought for Glebe Craft Quarter
Plans to redevelop Killarney’s town centre laneways remain on hold as local authority officials seek capital funding to progress the scheme.
At Wednesday’s meeting of the Killarney Municipal District, Councillor Niall Kelleher raised the future of the urban regeneration project, asking the council: “That Kerry County Council provide a detailed update on the proposed development of the Glebe Craft Quarter in Killarney, including the Glebe, Bohereencael, Milk Market Lane and Old Market Lane areas, outlining the work completed to date, estimated project cost, funding secured or being sought and the anticipated timeframe for implementation.”
In a written reply, Kerry County Council revealed that no dedicated capital has yet been assigned to deliver this phase of the public realm plan.
An official response stated: “At present, there is no identified funding stream for this phase of the proposed public realm works. The project will be considered as part of future funding applications, and Kerry County Council will continue to explore all available funding opportunities to support its delivery.”
Call for urgent child protection funding at Killarney conference
Frontline child protection and welfare services are facing an unprecedented crisis due to a surge in cases and limited resources, key speakers warned at a national conference in Killarney on Wednesday.
The final event of National End Child Poverty Week took place at the KCYS Youth Centre in Killarney, bringing together child welfare experts, legal professionals, and social workers to examine child protection, welfare, and alternative care.
Addressing delegates ahead of Budget 2027, Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance, warned against proposed spending cuts across government departments that deliver core family supports.
“For politicians to speak about their prioritisation of the protection and safety of children in recent weeks, while at the same time committing to levying the Departments that deliver those protection, welfare and family support services is just not right,” Tanya Ward said. “The levies, which are intended to shoulder an ‘overspend’ by the department of education through cuts across other departments, could not come at a worse time. They essentially ask critical services to children to pare back, to do more with less – at a time when these services are completely stretched thin trying to meet the demand for support.”
Figures released at the conference revealed that referrals to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, have doubled over the past decade. The agency received a record 106,444 referrals in 2025. That upward trend has continued into 2026, with 28,800 referrals logged in the first three months of the year—an 11 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025.
“Tusla and its support services are the last safety net for vulnerable children and families,” Tanya Ward added. “We need to be seeing significant increased investment to ensure we have a child protection system that is fit for purpose and can meet the needs of the children behind these figures who are facing battles such as neglect, emotional, physical or sexual abuse, trauma and deprivation.”
Chaired by Julie Ahern, Director of Legal, Policy and Services at the Children’s Rights Alliance, the conference featured keynote contributions from Kate Duggan, Chief Executive Officer of Tusla, and Dr Aisling Parkes, Special Rapporteur on Child Protection and Senior Lecturer in Law at UCC.
Additional speakers included Denise Kirwan, Partner at Comyn Kelleher Tobin Solicitors; social worker Thomas O’Driscoll; Seamus Whitty, CEO of KCYS; and Sinéad Roe, Intensive Family Support Co-ordinator at KCYS.
The Children’s Rights Alliance is calling on the Government to deliver a dedicated “Children’s Budget” for 2027. Key demands include increasing Tusla’s overall funding to expand social work staff across 30 new network areas, funding the rollout of the forthcoming National Policy Framework on Alternative Care, and increasing the proportion of Tusla’s budget directed to early intervention and community family support by three percentage points annually over five years.
Funding sought for Glebe Craft Quarter
Funding sought for Glebe Craft Quarter Plans to redevelop Killarney’s town centre laneways remain on hold as local authority officials...
Call for urgent child protection funding at Killarney conference
Call for urgent child protection funding at Killarney conference Frontline child protection and welfare services are facing an unprecedented crisis...
Killarney Camera Club has published a special commemorative booklet featuring 25 images to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
Camera Club marks silver anniversary with publication Killarney Camera Club has published a special commemorative booklet featuring 25 images to...
Teresa McGrane to receive 2026 Maureen O’Hara Award
Teresa McGrane to receive 2026 Maureen O’Hara Award Former Deputy CEO of Screen Ireland Teresa McGrane has been named as...
Felicity’s Summer in Killarney Week 13
Felicity’s Summer in KillarneyWeek 13 A few weeks later and the end of summer was quickly approaching. Auntie Sheila and...
Fossa Swimmers make a splash at County Finals
The Fossa Swim team pictured at the Tralee Sports Complex following their successful outing at the County Finals of the...
On the Ball Part 2 of the Mikey Daly Interview
Éamonn Fitzgerald EF: Killarney Celtic are invited to participate in an Irish competition. That has big financial implications for travel,...
LUKE MANGAN recently caught up with Kerry FC’s manager, Colin Healy.
He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager. Here’s how it went: When you began your...
Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic
Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1) Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell Saturday 7.30pm Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre...
Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan
After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork...
