An end of year message from Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Co-Presidents Johnny McGuire and Pádraig Treacy

This time last year, in our annual seasonal message, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce outlined a wish list for 2024 and, we’re happy to report, much of what we had hoped for has been delivered.
It was a remarkable year in many respects with local, national and European elections taking place and, needless to say, we have kept note of all the promises that were made in the build-up. We might be knocking on a few doors ourselves if they are not delivered before the year is out.
Chamber congratulates those that were successful in winning seats in Dáil Éireann, the European Parliament and, very importantly, in the town hall here in Killarney and county buildings in Tralee. It takes a great deal of courage to add your name to a ballot paper and it shows just how interested the candidates are in the people and the place.
Chamber was very pleased to have had a detailed meeting with Finance Minister, Jack Chambers, in the lead-up to polling day. Rather than saving it for Santa Claus, we presented him with our shopping list for 2025 and now, at least, he is very familiar with what Killarney needs and what Killarney wants.
It has been a particularly busy year for Chamber culminating, as always, with the wonderful Christmas in Killarney Festival. It was fantastic to see thousands of people lining the streets for the magic parades, the excited children visiting Santa at Knockreer, the fun that was had at the ice rink, the colour brought by the vintage tractors, the hustle and bustle at the busy Christmas markets – a welcome new addition this year – and all the enjoyment that people had at the other festival events.
The town looks sensational with the festive lights, the colourful decorations and all the trimmings and Chamber would like to thank all the businesses and private residences that went to great lengths to add their own Christmas sparkle.
One of the most important projects this year was the inclusion of the wonderful Killarney coffee cup project in the festive season celebrations.
Santa Claus and the Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Maura Healy-Rae, joined forces to encourage shoppers enjoying coffee on the go to support the campaign to banish single-use cups and to bring their own reusable cups when doing their Christmas shopping or watching the parades.
In the absence of a long promised latte levy, the reusable cup takeaway system in operation has sparked a very noticeable reduction in litter throughout the town and the national park and Killarney is setting a great example for every other town, city and village to try to emulate.
Christmas in Killarney, of course, wasn’t the only bumper festival organised by Chamber this year and we thank all those who contributed to making the St Patrick’s Festival, the brilliant Wander Wild gathering, the celebrations on the 4th of July and the exciting new Killarney Shopping Festival at Halloween the great successes they were.
They will all be back – bigger and better – in 2025 and there might even be a few more surprises thrown in to ensure Killarney retains its reputation as the best town in which to live and the best town in the country to visit.
Chamber was also thrilled to join forces with Kerry County Council this year to honour the great Brian McCarthy with the Order of Inisfallen award, the highest accolade Killarney can bestow.
He seized an opportunity in Killorglin all those years ago to launch a small foreign exchange operation that has since developed into the financial services giant that is Fexco which employs close on 3,000 people and serves five million merchant locations in 50 countries.
Brian has the unique distinction of being Dublin born and Cork reared yet he has been honoured with the prestigious Kerry Person of the Year award. That, in itself, is some achievement and we were delighted to add the Order of Inisfallen to his list of accomplishments.
2024 has been a magnificent year for those involved in the Killarney Tidy Towns and Killarney Looking Good projects with another gold medal performance on the national stage, an impressive increase in the overall number of marks secured by the town and a great showing too in the Irish Business Against Litter competition.
Well done to all those who have played their part in keeping Killarney looking good and a very special word of gratitude to the volunteers who put in so much time and effort to play their part. The level of civic pride on show in Killarney is truly amazing.
And while on the subject of volunteers, a heartfelt thanks too to those that roll up their sleeves and help out with the Mountain Meitheal. What they have achieved has to be seen to be believed and, we’re glad to report, our work in support of the NPWS is slowly but surely winning the battle against the invasive rhododendron.
Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce wishes everybody a happy, healthy, peaceful and joyous Christmas and a very successful year ahead. Rest assured that Chamber will be to the fore once again in 2025 to ensure Killarney continues to prosper in every way.