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AN AIR of pageantry and fun is filling the town as preparations get underway for the third annual 4th of July Celebrations in Killarney. A wonderful weekend has been lined up for the run-up to this year’s festival.

The town will be awash with colour as up to 11,000 cycling enthusiasts descend upon Killarney for the 33rd Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle on Saturday, July 2.

On Sunday, July 3, Tipperary are in town to meet Kerry in the Munster Senior Football Championship final for the first time in 72 years. “They can expect a huge Killarney welcome as they take the place of our dear friends and neighbours from the Rebel County. (That is until at least 2pm when the ball is thrown in),” said a spokesperson.

On Monday, July 4, the third annual Killarney 4th of July Celebrations get underway. “Hopefully last year’s deluge will be a distant memory and the sun will shine upon us,” said Paul Sherry on behalf of the organisers.

“Preparations for this year’s celebration are at full tilt and this year’s offering is shaping up to be bigger, better and more colourful than ever before.”

This daylong celebration of America’s Independence is again being organised by a subcommittee of Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce headed up by Diarmuid Leen and supported by Kerry County Council, Fáilte Ireland, IPB Insurance, Heineken Ireland, O’Donoghue Ring Hotel Group, The Henggeler – Moriarty Family and many others.

“The town of Killarney has a very longstanding association with the United States Of America. It spans decades and has been one of the building blocks for the town we have today, largely due to the number of Americans that visit annually,” Diarmuid Leen said.

“Every year we welcome thousands of American citizens to the South West but ultimately Killarney is the destination. This is why we in the Killarney Chamber Of Tourism & Commerce wanted to recognise and celebrate this cherished relationship and Killarney 4th of July Celebrations is the exciting result.”

Be up early because the 4th of July will commence with a 7am “Dawn Chorus” of the Star – Spangled Banner performed by a chorus drawn together from local choirs especially for the event. The ceremonial hoisting of the USA flag over the Town Hall will be an incredibly emotional event as huge numbers of our American visitors join with our Dawn Chorus and hold their state flags aloft and sing their national anthem with pride.

Down town Killarney will be transformed into Main Street USA and the town will come alive with street entertainment throughout the day. Watch out for The Wild West Troupe as they roam the town shooting up the place looking for an easy target or Bank to raid. Brass bands and can- can girls will perform on the streets and if you are feeling peckish don’t forget the celebration charity BBQ at 4pm at Scott’s Hotel Scott’s Street kindly sponsored by the Henggeler-Moriarty Family and Scott’s Hotel in aid of Kerry Cancer Support Group.

The big parade will commence at 8pm, making its way from the car park at the Killarney Outlet Centre and winding its way down College Street and Plunkett Street before culminating in Main Street USA alias Main Street Killarney for the mother of all parties.

DJ Niall Botty O’Callaghan will be the master of ceremonies and everyone is invited to stay on Main Street for the after-party.

No 4th of July Celebration would be complete without a spectacular fireworks display, which will round off the evening and light up the night sky over Killarney. The 4th of July committee are working hard to bring you this spectacle however the fireworks display is still subject to licence and is unconfirmed at this time.

Business owners are encouraged to participate in the celebration and decorate their premises accordingly; to this end USA flags are available for purchase from Kate O’Leary at The Laurels Public House Killarney.

Diarmuid Leen said: “This will be the biggest celebration of America’s Independence outside of America itself. We want to show our American visitors how truly appreciative we are of them and so we want the whole town to come out and celebrate with us. This is of course a celebration of all things American so wear your colours, bring your flags and join us on Monday 4th of July as Killarney becomes hometown USA just for a day.”

Kate O’Leary, president of Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce thanked the event’s partners, Kerry County Council, Fáilte Ireland and IPB Insurance, who support this event bringing communities together through a community tourism initiative for the Diaspora. Kate also thanked sponsors O’Donoghue Ring Hotel Group, Heineken Ireland, The Killarney Park & Ross Hotels, The International Hotel, Scott’s Hotel, M D O’Shea's Ltd, and The Henggeler-Moriarty Family.

A full programme of events will be available throughout the town and on our Facebook page shortly.

 
Stars and stripes: Preparing for this year's Killarney 4th of July Celebrations, which will take place on Monday, July 4, were from left, Michael Moynihan, Heineken, Diarmaid Leen, Chairman, Organising Committee, Margaret Brosnan, Kerry Film Festival, Kate O’Leary, President, Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce, Dermot Healy, Ollie Favier and his daughter Gracie-Mai Favier, Cllr Michael Gleeson, Mayor of Killarney Municipal Area, Paul Sherry, and Declan Murphy, Fáilte Ireland. PICTURE: VALERIE O'SULLIVAN