He came dashing through the town on Saturday night and packed streets greeted him with huge excitement.

Yes, that’s right – Santa Claus took some time out of his very busy schedule and arrived to town for the annual switching on of the Christmas lights and magic parade.

The streets were lined with children and their families and they’d huge smiles on their faces when they spotted the man in the red coat making his way around the town on the colourful float.

Grace O’Hare was pictured with her dad Conor – she had the best seat in the town to watch Santa Claus as she was perched high on her dad’s shoulders.

It was the same for the Patterson family, Alex, Irene, Catherine and Robert, while Parade safety steward, Marie Brosnan-Leahy, was on hand to make sure everything went off OK.

Killarney Municipal District Councillors, Cllr Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan, Cllr Donal Grady, Cathaoirleach Killarney Municipal District Cllr John O’Donoghue, Cllr Brendan Cronin, Cllr Marie Moloney, also enjoyed the occasion while the Sam Maguire took pride of place and centre stage in Killarney for the annual fun filled event.

And while he was in town Santa took some time off to have a chat with Killarney Advertiser columnist Marie Carroll-O’Sullivan – check it out on page 14 of this week’s edition.

By Sean Moriarty

HeartBeat Killarney will present a special meeting dedicated to women’s health next week.

Hosted by HeartBeat nurse Anna O’Donoghue, the meeting tomorrow evening (Tuesday) will feature specific discussions on every decade of women’s lives.

Special guest on the evening will be Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Mary McCaffrey.

“Topics will include hormones and how they affect health from puberty, the importance of bone health, a cameo on female cardiac symptoms, heart health and mid-life, as well as common health symptoms specific to women’s well-being,” said HeartBeat chairman Billy O’Sullivan.

“We welcome women of all ages to this important meeting which is an opportunity not to be missed, especially if you have health worries.”

The meeting will take place at 8pm at the Parish Centre on Park Road.

It will be followed by a Q&A session and there is an optional blood pressure and pulse clinic from 7.30pm.