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Killarney’s festivals to get €30k in funding

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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.”

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Regatta Queen crowned at annual dance

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The annual Killarney Regatta Dance took place on September 25 as rowers, families and supporters came together to celebrate their successful year.

The racing was cancelled in September due to bad weather.

The Killarney Regatta is one of Ireland’s oldest rowing events, having first begun in 1788.

The dance took place at the Killarney Oaks Hotel where there was a lot of excitement and fun. Six rowing clubs, Fossa, Workman’s, St Brendan’s, Commercials, Flesk Valley, and Muckross, came together to celebrate the community and its shared history.

Amelia Counihan was crowned as the Regatta Queen.

The Queen represents the spirit pride and grace of the rowing community and has been a tradition in the club for generations.

Workman’s Rowing Club congratulated Amelia and described her as a woman who embodies everything that their tradition stands for.

The club said: “Queen is more than a title — it is a celebration of history, community, and the spirit of Killarney rowing.”

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Killarney Looking Good competition celebrates community pride

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The annual Killarney Looking Good competition took place at the Great Southern Hotel on Wednesday night where Kerry GAA captain Gavin White presented the awards to the deserving recipients.

Killarney Park Hotel came out on top with the overall prize being awarded to the newly refurbished five-star hotel.

The judges were impressed by the stylish new entrance and driveway and their spectacular display of flowers and window boxes. Killarney Park won the same award back in 1992.

The best large commercial premises award went to Killarney Racecourse, and the best small commercial premises was awarded to Sheahan’s Pharmacy.

Charlie Foley’s won the best public house; best restaurant was 40 Main and Walsh Bros Shoes was named best retail.

In the residential categories, the best private residence was Tomies View, Ross Road, best large estate went to Countess Grove, and best small estate was won by Coolgreane Park.

The winner of the 2025 Fr Michael Murphy Memorial Pride of Place Award was presented to the Killarney Asylum Seekers Initiative while the Yvonne Quill Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award winner went to Margaret Curtin.

The Killarney Looking Good competition is organised by Killarney Municipal District Council and Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce and sponsored by MD O’Shea’s & Sons and O’Mahony Media.

The competition aims to encourage residents and business owners to keep the town looking well through the use of flowers, hanging baskets, colour schemes.

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