Paul Sherry’s Italian job

Accordion master Liam O’Connor and his musically gifted family joined a contingent from Killarney who were afforded the full VIP treatment in Verrès, a small town in the Aosta Valley to the north-west of Turin in Italy, during the area’s annual carnival.

Killarney has struck up a very strong bond and friendship with Verrès since 2020 through Davide Mosca, a native son who grew up there before moving to Kerry set up business as an architect.
During their stay, the Killarney party enjoyed all the colour and excitement of the historic Carnevale Verrès which is a huge hit every year.
This year Paul Sherry, an annual visitor to Verrès and manager of the Killarney Outlet Centre, was presented with the prestigious Supremus Ordo medal as a guest of honour for the four-day Mardi Gras style festival,
The honour consists of a medallion bearing the local coat of arms and it is presented to those who, in the festival committee's opinion, have contributed significantly to the success of the carnival.
According to legend dating back to the 1400s, the Count and Countess left Verrès Castle to join locals in a pre-Lent village celebration and the colourful tradition has been upheld since then in the form of the Carnevale Verrès
Liam O’Connor and his family played two concerts in the majestic surroundings of Verres Castle which highlighted Ireland’s incredible culture and talent to the Italian people.
The festival’s distinctive knights, costumed soldiers and drummers enjoyed a return trip and paraded through the streets of Killarney on St Patrick’s Day and they were led by the Mayor of Verres Alessandro Giovenzi.
The 57-strong party, joined by 25 close neighbours, were also accorded a civic reception by the Mayor of Killarney Cllr Martin Grady.