By Sean Moriarty

The future of some of Killarney’s best-loved festivals is secure thanks to much needed financial support that was distributed through Kerry County Council’s Community Support Fund.

Several community groups and organisations received funding under the programme. A total of €30,000 was allocated to four of the town’s festivals.

Killarney’s newest event, The Wander Wild Festival, is in line for €10,000 under the scheme. The St Patrick’s Day Festival and Christmas in Killarney will get €8,000, and the annual 4th of July Festival is to get €4,000,

“The financial contribution made by Killarney Municipal District Council and Kerry County Council is, of course, an enormous boost for which Chamber if extremely grateful," Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, president Niall Kelleher, told the Killarney Advertiser.

"It almost goes without saying that, without this wonderful support from the municipal authority, the festivals would struggle to survive. These events attract tens of thousands of people to town every year but, of course, festivals are very expensive to run. It costs hundreds of thousands of Euro to keep these wonderful events up and running and, in addition to the very significant promotion and marketing costs, we must ensure the infrastructure and all the necessary equipment, decorations and attractions are in place.”

Killarney is particularly fortunate to have such outstanding and high quality community celebrations to attract people from all over the world and provide top class entertainment.

“Everybody is fully aware and appreciative of the hugely positive impact of events like Christmas in Killarney, the St Patrick’s Festival Killarney, the 4th July Festival and, the latest addition, the Wander Wild Festival which was such a major success in its inaugural year,” Mr Kelleher added.

“Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce is, as always, very grateful to the local businesses who contribute so willingly and so generously every year, without fail, to help offset the costs of running the town’s festivals.”