Second summer parade lights up the town

Locals and visitors turned out in force on Monday night for the second street parade of the new Summer in Killarney Festival.

The parade featured local dance groups, marching bands, floats, and street performers as it made its way through the town centre. It forms part of a month-long festival schedule running alongside seasonal events including the Killarney Races, the Killarney Regatta, and the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle.
Organised by the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, the festival is supported by Fáilte Ireland, Kerry County Council, the NPWS, and Heineken. Events continue throughout the month, concluding with an outdoor cinema night and SPIN South West DJ set at Killarney House.
Photos by Valerie O’Sullivan

Unique Ukrainian embroidery project at St Mary’s Church

A remarkable living piece of Ukrainian history is being displayed in the heart of Killarney today (Friday, July 24) as part of an international cultural project.

Organised locally by Future of Ukrainian Nation (FOUN Kerry), the ‘Unity Rushnyk – Victory Rushny’ exhibition takes place along the fence of St Mary’s Church starting at 2.00pm.
The Rushnyk, a traditional embroidered cloth, forms part of a global initiative that has travelled through Estonia, Austria, Scotland, England, and across Ireland. Hand-stitched by Ukrainian diaspora communities worldwide, the project grew to 166 metres long just last week in Dublin after the Ukrainian-Irish community added three new panels.
The display features intricate symbols representing the bond between the two nations. Alongside traditional Ukrainian guelder rose, stitches include the Irish clover, with both the Irish and Ukrainian flags stitched side-by-side as a mark of friendship and gratitude for the welcome shown to families in Kerry.
Organisers invite both the local community and international visitors to view the exhibition today and experience this powerful symbol of unity, culture, and shared history.