News
Killarney plans the greatest show for Independence Day

Main Street will take on a Disney-like magic for a day next month as the 4th of July celebrations make a return!
The festival marks the town’s special centuries-old link with America and will include a spectacular parade with marching bands, striking custom-built floats, baton-twirling cheerleaders, colourful movie characters and leather clad bikers.
Thousands of visitors from Stateside choose Killarney as their favourite holiday destination every year and this is the town’s way of giving something back to mark the big US occasion.
“Just as our American friends celebrate St Patrick’s Day in style, we will do likewise to mark their Independence Day,” said 4th July Festival Chairman Diarmuid Leen.
“We are inviting everybody to come and celebrate with us and to do so in style,” he added.
The festivities on Monday, July 4 will get underway with the formal raising of the American Flag at the town hall with the Mayor of Killarney and the President of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce presiding.
The Statue of Liberty will keep a close watch over Main Street with face-painters and street entertainers roaming the town while Killarney will be turned into Hollywood for a few glorious hours with everybody from Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, Bonnie and Clyde, The Greatest Showman’s Bearded Lady and even a posse of fun-loving cowboys on the loose.
ENTERTAINMENT
Big bands and top quality singers will perform throughout the town all afternoon while a fun-filled street party will get into full swing with street fireworks and flame-throwers ready to light up the sky.
Thousands of people, many waving American flags, will line the streets of the town for the big parade, commencing at 7pm, and that will be followed by a lively hour-long Beat on the Street from 8pm.
Ireland’s multi-award winning soul performer Buck Taylor will entertain the masses at the Soul in the Park from 9pm and at 10 o’clock the celebrations will conclude in a fabulous fashion with an open air screening of the hit movie 'The Greatest Showman' on the lawns of Killarney House and Gardens.
The Killarney 4th of July celebration is organised by Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce with great support from Kerry County Council and Fáilte Ireland as well as sponsors Heineken.
Tickets for the open air events on the lawns of Killarney House and Gardens – including the Soul in the Park and the big screen production of 'The Greatest Showman' – will be free of charge and available on Eventbrite.ie from June 20. The gates will open at 8.30pm.
News
Street Orienteering added to Wander Wild programme
By Sean Moriarty A new event has been added to the extensive Wander Wild Festival next weekend. Kerry Orienteers will run a family-friendly Urban Orienteering event as part of the […]

By Sean Moriarty
A new event has been added to the extensive Wander Wild Festival next weekend.
Kerry Orienteers will run a family-friendly Urban Orienteering event as part of the festival on March 25.
Participants can start at the Killarney Plaza Hotel Basecamp anytime from 2-4pm on Saturday.
Orienteering is an exciting outdoor adventure sport which involves walking or running whilst navigating around a course using a detailed map and sometimes a compass. And the Wander Wild Street Orienteering will have courses suitable for all ages and abilities.
“The aim is to navigate in sequence between a set of control points and decide the best route to complete the course in the quickest time. It does not matter how young, old or fit you are, as you can run, walk or jog the course and progress at your own pace. If you need any help or tips members of Kerry Orienteering Club will be available to assist during the day,” said organiser Brendan O’Brien.
Two routes are available: ‘Wander’ – 2km (easy, wheelchair and buggy accessible) and Wild – 4km (moderate), and bookings can be made via: https://t.ly/jHm2R.
News
Quiz helps to fund Easter pilgrimage
A popular annual table quiz, which raises funds to send Kerry children and young adults with special needs to Lourdes, will be held in Killarney next week. The Tim Moore […]

A popular annual table quiz, which raises funds to send Kerry children and young adults with special needs to Lourdes, will be held in Killarney next week.
The Tim Moore Memorial Table Quiz will be held in the Gleneagle Hotel at 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 29.
The entry fee for tables of four is €40 and it is €20 for teams of four schoolchildren with great prizes up for grabs on the night.
All proceeds will go to the Irish Pilgrimage Trust which organises trips to Lourdes every Easter for children and young adults with additional needs.
They will be brought on the pilgrimage on Easter Sunday and all the volunteer helpers and medical staff that will accompany them will cover for their own travel costs.
The annual quiz, which is running for close on 30 years, is dedicated to the memory of the late Killarney accountant Tim Moore who was a tireless campaigner for the Irish Pilgrimage Trust. He passed away, suddenly, in 2002 and his friends have continued the quiz as a tribute to his legacy and to ensure the charity continues to be supported.
It hasn’t been held for the past two years due to the pandemic but all involved are thrilled that it is back for 2023.
Kieran Coffey, the retired principal of Fossa National School, is one of those who spearhead the Kerry pilgrimage to Lourdes and he has appealed to the public to support the very important fundraiser which helps offset some of the costs involved.
“We are delighted to be in a position to continue Tim’s great work and to dedicate the quiz to him. The event is always so well supported by the people of the greater Killarney area and we greatly appreciate that generosity,” said Kieran.