A giant artistic stag, brilliantly representing Killarney’s historic past, has been created as the signature mascot for this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in the town.

A giant artistic stag brilliantly representing Killarney’s historic past has been created as the signature mascot for this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in the town. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

It has been painstakingly created by local artist Sophie Lodge whose spectacular work has been very loyal and true to the magnificent animal that has freely roamed Killarney National Park for generations.

The imaginative artist behind the striking feature piece honed her skills at the world famous Notting Hill Carnival in London.

With a background in visual effects, Sophie has always had a passion for working on community art projects that bring people together and she was the artist responsible for the giant sunflower and colourful butterflies that adorned the bell-tower at St Mary’s Church of the Sloes for previous St Patrick’s Festival celebrations.

This year’s parade will dazzle the public when the custom-made stag, generously sponsored by the trustees of Muckross House and Gardens, is unveiled and paraded through the streets with the assistance of three operators.

With its stomping ground in the UNESCO biosphere reserve of Killarney National Park, home to the deer herd, this historic animal will take centre stage in celebration of the town's rich natural heritage.

The striking artwork really embodies this year's festival theme, which delves into echoes of Killarney's historical past, and the stag is poised to evolve in the coming years when the focus in 2025 will shift towards echoes of Killarney's present, followed by a gaze into the future in 2026.

Jason Clifford, Chair of the St Patrick's Day Festival, said the stag will be a key addition to this year's parade, capturing the imagination of both young and old.

“We are thrilled to have the support of the Muckross House Trustees in bringing this magnificent creation to life, given the integral role that the stag, Muckross House and the national park play in the fabric of our town,” he said.