By Sean Moriarty

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Niall Kelleher has praised the efforts of the volunteers behind the Christmas in Killarney Festival who pulled off an exceptional series of events in difficult circumstances.

HAVING FUN: Dale Good and Damien O'Neill enjoying the parade.

FAMILY FUN: Kathleen Ellie Paddy Deirdre and Fionn McCarthy enjoying the fourth Christmas in Killarney Parade on Saturday night

EXCITEMENT: Jackson Lucianna and Marie Dooley at Saturday night's parade.

NIGHT LIFE: Mary O’Donoghue Kate and Evie Caterina McCarthy.

GET TOGETHER: Saoirse Brosnan Gearoid Brosnan Oisin Brosnan Oran Hayes Aoife Hayes Helen Hayes Patrice Hayes Marie Brosnan Nick Hayes and Mike Brosnan attended Saturday's parade.

HOT CHOCOLATE: Kara O’Keefe Ben O’Keefe Una Hayes Hayden O'Keefe and Cathal Hayes enjoy some festive treats on Saturday night.

PRETTY IN PINK: Ella Kelly Callum O'Connor Shauna Kelly Michaela Kelly Mary Ellen Kelly Mia Kelly Paddy and Bobby Murphy.

SANTA CALUSE IS COMING TO TOWN: Alissa Isabel and Sophia O'Leary with Connor Donnchadgh and Eadoinn Herlihy waiting to see Santa parade through town on Saturday night.

DRESSED UP: Silva Maro Divo and Mathew Lucic are dressed to impress at the Christmas in Killarney Parade on Saturday.

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The festival returned this year after the pandemic forced its cancellation in 2020, but the organising committee still had to operate under current and ever-changing public health guidelines.

The first Christmas in Killarney parade took place on Saturday, November 27 and continued every Saturday night until December 19.
It is estimated that in excess of 25,000 people attend the four parades this year.

He explained that the Christmas in Killarney Committee and Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce "pulled out all the stops this year" with a fantastic festival.

“This year – with the magical parades returning – we created an incredible atmosphere for those living and working in Killarney and those coming home or visiting for Christmas," Mr Kellher told the Killarney Advertiser.

“Killarney has always given an example to other towns that if it worth doing, then it is worth doing right. Standing in the town centre during the month of December, you can observe a visual spectacle that many other locations could only dream about. The spectacular weekly street parades with sensational floats, magically illuminated with lighting and sound, are an absolute joy to witness and the street lighting display and giant decorations at key points are just fantastic focal points.”