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Killarney’s very own Polar Express

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A magical new addition to the Christmas in Killarney parades this year will be a magnificent Polar Express-style train engine that has been designed and built by the members of the Killarney Classic and Vintage Club.

It will be a spectacular feature of the four festive parades that will wind their way through the streets every Saturday night from November 29 to December 20.
The organisers will dedicate the Christmas in Killarney Express to a deserving child on each of the Saturday nights and, not only will they get to board the engine float for the parade, with a wonderful vantage point for the celebrations, the dream machine will also be named in their honour for the night they are chosen.

It is envisaged the children that will benefit will have beaten the odds in their own determined way having encountered some difficulties or issues in their young lives.

They will get to experience the true spirit of Christmas in what promises to be a wonderful, unforgettable, magical way that will linger in the memory forever.

The Killarney Classic and Vintage Club has teamed up with the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Christmas in Killarney sub-committee for the big event and generous sponsorship for the building and decoration of the Christmas in Killarney Express was provided by Paul Fitzgerald and Son Building Supplies in Coolcaslagh.

In addition to featuring in the parades, the chosen children and their families will join the organisers and sponsors for a fun-filled Christmas party on the final parade night and some great gifts will await.

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Tadhg Fleming to lead Team Jack and Jill in Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle

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Tadhg Fleming to lead Team Jack and Jill in Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle


Comedian and content creator Tadhg Fleming will lead the charge for Team Jack and Jill this summer, taking on the 170km Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle on Saturday, July 4.


The annual event, which starts and finishes in Killarney, raises vital funds for charities across Ireland. This year, Fleming is urging cyclists of all abilities to join him in raising money to support the 504 Jack and Jill families nationwide, including 14 families currently receiving care in County Kerry.
“It’s a sin this Kerry man hasn’t done the Ring of Kerry yet, but it’s about time I did it,” Fleming said. “I’m absolutely delighted to be taking it on for Jack and Jill, a charity very close to our hearts. Dad Derry has done it a few times and told me it’s a piece of cake, so we’ll soon find out about that.”
The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation provides critical in-home nursing care and respite support for children up to the age of seven who live with severe learning disabilities and complex medical needs.
Among those benefiting from the service is Tralee mother Anna Walsh. Her youngest daughter, Róisín, lives with Angelman syndrome, a rare neurogenetic condition.
“Jack and Jill has made such a difference to our family life,” Walsh said. “The hours of in-home nursing care we receive mean I’m able to work, which is massively important for our family. It gives us breathing space, practical support, and reassurance when things are overwhelming.”
Registration is now open for participants looking to secure a place on the team. Those who sign up to cycle for the charity will receive fundraising support, specialized training plans from Coral Leisure personal trainers, and an official Jack and Jill cycling jersey.
Cyclists can register to join Team Jack and Jill online at https://www.ringofkerrycycle.ie/our-charities/jack-jill-foundation/

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100-year-old fire tender beautifully restored 

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Billy Spring from Milltown with his restored Merryweather Hatfield Trailer Pump Fire Tender which was in service by Killarney Fire Brigade from it’s purchase in 1926 up until the 1960’s,Billy purchased it in 1994,he carried out the restoration on it from 2008 to 2026.This Appliance was particularly suited for duties as the town was composed of a lot of narrow lanes and congested areas where a regular pump couid not gain access.Photo by Michael G Kenny

A piece of Killarney’s municipal history has been painstakingly brought back to life following an extensive restoration project by Milltown resident Billy Spring.

The rare machine served as a frontline tender for the Killarney Fire Brigade for four decades, spanning from the 1920s through to the 1960s. Having survived a century, the machine required a monumental amount of skilled craftsmanship to reverse decades of wear and return it to its former glory.

Now fully restored, this unique piece of local heritage offers a rare glimpse into the early days of emergency services in the region.

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