Killarney will experience a St Patrick’s weekend celebration the likes of which it has never seen before thanks to the town’s first citizen who is to host a major night of top-notch entertainment to raise funds for two very worthy causes.

Cllr Niall Kelleher is reviving the tradition of holding a mayor’s fundraising ball on March 18 but this year, given its immediate proximity to the St Patrick’s Day celebrations, it is to be known as the Mayor’s Charity Shindig.

All funds raised on the evening will be divided between the Kerry Parents and Friends Buy a Bus Campaign and the Social Action Group in Rathmore with Mayor Kelleher anxious to help both very worthy causes. 

“As Mayor of Killarney, I am delighted to be in a position to organise an event that will help good causes and I know the people of the greater Killarney Municipal District and beyond will be only too happy to offer their support and, in the process, have a night to remember,” Mayor Kelleher said.

The gala event, a key part of this year’s St Patrick’s Weekend Festival in the town,  will be held in the INEC, Killarney on Sunday, March 18 and with the bank holiday Monday to follow, it is considered the perfect time for a great get-together.

The gala will include a pre-dinner drinks reception, a sumptuous banquet, after-dinner entertainment with a nationally renowned celebrity guest and dancing to big band sounds until the early hours. 

Mayor Kelleher is certainly pulling out all the stops as the master of ceremonies and after dinner guest speaker for the evening will be none other than accomplished comedian and satirist Oliver Callan.

The hugely popular star will be followed by The Kelts who are one of the most popular and engaging dance bands on the circuit.

Tickets for the big event are €65.00, the dress code is lounge suit, as opposed to black tie, and the fun will get underway at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available from Killarney Town Hall, Rathmore Social Action Group, Kerry Parents and Friends, Rathmore Post Office, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce and Cllr Niall Kelleher’s Offices in the Courtyard, Fairhill.