Killarney National Park in full bloom as cherry blossoms return

The arrival of spring has been officially marked in Killarney with the annual appearance of the much-loved cherry blossoms, turning the grounds of Killarney House and Gardens into a vibrant spectacle of pink and white.

Known as Sakura, these blossoms are a traditional symbol of renewal. The annual showcase is currently at its peak, with local gardeners noting that the trees are in excellent condition this season. One of the most popular vantage points for visitors is the opening along the main pathway, which offers a framed view of St Mary’s Cathedral through the blooming branches.

The cherry blossoms are deciduous trees that typically bloom between April and May. However, the exact timing and duration of the display are heavily dependent on local weather conditions.

Despite their striking appearance, the blossoms remain notoriously fragile. National Park staff are hopeful for a calm spell, as a strong easterly wind from Lough Leane has been known to bring a premature end to the season by stripping the petals in a single afternoon.

The full-colour spectacle has been captured this week by photographers Valerie O’Sullivan, highlighting one of the most photographed natural events in the Killarney calendar. Visitors are encouraged to visit the gardens soon to catch the display before the delicate petals fall.

Battery Electric Vehicles up 52% for March

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) issued its official 261 new vehicle registration statistics for March.

New car registrations for March were down 10.4% compared to March 2025. Registrations year to date are up 0.28% on the same period last year.
Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) increased by 13.5% compared to March last year. Year to date, LCVs are up 17.5%. Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) registrations are up 10.2% in comparison to March 2025. Year to date, HGVs are down 6.5%.
Imported Used Cars have seen a 37.7% rise in March 2026, when compared to March 2025. Year to date imports are up 39.2% on 2025.
In March 3,851 new electric cars (battery electric cars) were registered, which was 52.1% higher than the 2,531 registrations in March 2025. So far this year, 14,004 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 40.5% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 9,964 electric cars were registered.
In the new car market share by engine type, Hybrid (Petrol Electric) continues to lead as the most popular engine type at 27.36%, followed by Electric 21.56%, Petrol 21.24%, Plug-In Hybrid 14.41%, and Diesel 12.92%.
The top selling new electric car in March was Tesla Model 3.