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Spectacular stag will be festival focal point

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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.

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All eyes down as St Oliver’s hosts bumper bingo fundraiser

It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night. The event, which is being held […]

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It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night.

The event, which is being held to raise additional funds for the school’s Special Classes, will take place in the Killarney Racecourse in the Celtic Steps venue.

According to Colm Ó Súilleabháin, Principal of St Oliver’s, the idea for the fundraiser was the brainchild of Denise Hendey, a parent of one of the children in the Special Classes who approached the school wanting to assist with raising much-needed funds for the classes. “She has been utterly amazing with the amount of work and organisation she has put into this event, sourcing an incredible number of fantastic prizes for the raffle and spot prizes for the bingo winners” he said.
Continuing he said “We are so appreciative of the incredible support we have received from all the businesses who have sponsored some amazing prizes and made very generous donations in support of the event.”

St. Oliver’s has eight separate Special Classes, home to 62 children. All monies raised on the night will go towards purchasing additional resources for the classes.

The event will commence at 7pm with doors opening at 6pm. So be sure to come along to what is promised to be a fun-filled night with numerous opportunities to win some amazing prizes and hopefully if there is a ‘knock on the door’ or a ‘bang on the drum’ it will be on your bingo card!

Bingo books (€10) and raffle tickets (€5) are available to buy from the school office and will be available on the night. All welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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Milltown plan to preserve history in community project 

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The Milltown History and Heritage Society has announced plans for an oral history archive for the community.

It is hoped that the collection and preservation of stories and folklore will be a valuable resource for future generations.

Oral history expert and historian Dr Tomás Mac Conmara will speak in Milltown in support of the launch.

Dr Mac Conmara, who is an award-winning oral historian, lecturer and author, will speak at the Muintir na Tíre Hall in Milltown at 8pm on Friday, October 24 and will introduce the fundamentals for the collection of oral history.

The presentation is free of charge and is supported by funding from the Creative Communities Grant Scheme 2025.

Attendees will be introduced to the practical skills required in interviewing, recording and documenting local heritage.

Stewart Stephans of the Milltown History and Heritage Society said they are excited to have Tomás to set them on the right path towards the development of the archive.

He said: “The collection and retention of oral history needs to be approached properly, drawing on the right advice and maintaining high standards, so we are pleased to be getting the input of such a renowned expert.” The event is open to anyone who would like to attend.

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