This year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney will mark the culmination of the linked trilogy of themes for the big event with the organisers having embraced the town’s past, present and future since 2024.

The theme this year is Echoes of Killarney: Future and the emphasis will be very much focused on the wonderful events that are expected to happen in the town in the coming years.

In keeping with that theme, the three VIP grand marshals that will grace the viewing stand for the bumper parade on March 17 are top class athlete Sarah Leahy – one of the country’s most promising sports stars who has already accomplished major achievements on the track – charismatic and hugely popular DJ and music producer David Sheeran who specialises in electronic and House music and hugely creative teenager Fionn O’Leary whose unique gift working with modelling clay sets him apart as one to watch in the future.

The theme in 2024 was Echoes of Killarney: Past, last year it was Echoes of Killarney: Present and in 2026 the focus will most certainly be on Echoes of Killarney: Future and to suggest that the three-year theme has been a success is quite the understatement.

“The festival grew in stature and in participation levels every year and St Patrick’s Day brings the biggest footfall to Killarney at any one time of the year,” said Festival Chairman Jason Clifford.

He added that the fact that the traditional one-day celebration has now grown to a hugely successful five-day festival speaks volumes about the high regard in which Killarney and its many festivals are held.

The judges that will choose the various prizewinners this year are none other than hilarious father and son duo and social media sensations Derry and Tadhg Fleming and 2025 Make-up Artist of the Year Annette O’Brien.

Influencer Annette will spot every imaginative costume, colourful float and dazzling look while Tadhg and Derry, celebrated for their contributions to arts and performance, will lend their expert eye to ensure every entry is judged with care and excitement.

The Killarney St Patrick’s Festival is organised by a sub-committee of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, chaired by hotelier Jason Clifford, in association with Kerry County Council and Fáilte Ireland.

Jason Clifford remarked: “The St Patrick’s Festival fills the town with joyful energy, from the spectacular parade and live performances to family fun and local traditions.
“It’s a warm invitation to experience the magic of Killarney at its most spirited.

Ciara Sugrue, Head of Festivals and Events at Fáilte Ireland, said events like this showcase the very best of Irish culture, music and entertainment, inspiring both domestic and international visitors to explore new destinations across the country.

“By investing in St Patrick’s Festival Killarney, we’re strengthening Kerry’s position within the Wild Atlantic Way as a must-visit destination and helping to drive economic benefits for local businesses and communities across the county and wider region,” she said.

What was supposed to be a dream mid-term getaway for two Fossa women has turned into a harrowing ordeal of intercepted missiles and “shelter in place” orders.

Laura O’Sullivan, an Aghadoe native who moved to Dubai to teach last year, was joined last week by her friends Sara Sheehan and Aoife Kissane.
The trio expected a week of desert safaris and beach clubs; instead, they found themselves watching the night sky light up with the fire of air defence systems as the regional conflict reached the doorsteps of the UAE.
The shift from holiday bliss to a combat zone footing happened with terrifying speed. While the city is known for its luxury and safety, the sounding of emergency alerts on Saturday changed the atmosphere instantly. For Laura, Sara, and Aoife, the reality of the crisis hit home not through a news report, but while they were out trying to enjoy a typical Dubai evening.
“That first Saturday evening was definitely the most surreal and frightening moment for me,” Laura said. “We were actually out for dinner in the Dubai marina, when it all kicked off. We saw people making their way over to the balcony of the restaurant and looking up in the sky, that’s when we saw a missile being intercepted and then there was this incredibly loud bang.”
The chaos that followed made the simple task of returning to their accommodation an endurance test.
“We quickly left and tried to get back to our apartment, which is about 30 minutes away from where we were,” Laura explained. “Sitting in the taxi was probably the most unnerving part, we could actually see more missiles flying overhead as we drove. Traffic was chaotic and heavy, which just added to the anxiety because all you want in that moment is to feel safe and be at home. On the way home we realised the severity of it all as many of my friends were being asked to make it to the ground level of their accommodations. By the time we got back to the apartment, we were extremely on edge and then reading the alerts on our phones to shelter just added to the stress. The noise continued throughout the night and I honestly didn’t sleep at all. It was very scary. We’ve never experienced anything like this before, so this added to our fear. That sense of uncertainty made it all the more frightening.”

A COMMUNITY UNDER PRESSURE

In the days following the initial escalation, the city has slowed to a crawl. Schools have moved to online learning, and the bustling social life of the Irish expat community has been replaced by anxious waits in high-rise apartments.
For Laura, maintaining a sense of perspective has become a full-time job.
“It’s definitely a strange way to be living day to day, with teaching being moved to online and spending most of the day indoors it is a huge change,” she noted. “Simple things like going downstairs to the shop or gym in the apartment block have you on edge. One thing I keep reminding myself is that the sounds we’re hearing are interceptions, it’s the defence systems working to protect us. The majority of what’s come our way has been intercepted so far, and that’s important to keep telling ourselves.”
The psychological toll is worsened by the digital age, where misinformation spreads faster than official reports. Laura highlighted the difficulty of discerning fact from fiction while being in the eye of the storm.
“It’s also been really important to be careful about where we’re getting information. There’s been a lot of fake news and exaggerated stories circulating, especially on social media, including AI videos about damages to famous landmarks in Dubai, which yes some places have been effected but not to the extreme that we have seen on many social media platforms, so were making sure to stick to verified sources and official updates.”
Despite the fear, the famous Killarney spirit has found a home in the desert. The local Irish networks have become a lifeline for the three girls.
“The Irish community here is brilliant since I moved out and especially in this situation, my local GAA club has been checking in with everyone, sharing reliable information and making sure people feel supported,” Laura said. “There are many ‘Irish in Dubai’ group chats where other teachers have been sending around their numbers and making sure we all know we can call each other at any time. That sense of community makes a huge difference. It doesn’t take away the uncertainty, but it does make you feel a lot less alone in it, and that really helps you stay calm.”
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
The contrast between her life in Kerry and her current situation is not lost on Laura. Explaining the reality of a conflict zone to worried parents and friends in Killarney is perhaps the hardest part of her day. Just days ago, the group was enjoying the height of luxury at the Palm Jumeirah; today, they are watching the news to see if those same locations are still standing.
“It is a bit surreal how quickly it all changed,” Laura reflected. “Just last Friday I was with my friends at a beach club on the Palm. We were shocked to see in the news in the following days that a hotel nearby had been affected. Usually, it’s all go between school during the day, meeting friends in the evenings, football trainings and tournaments, weekends at the beach or out for brunch.”
She added: “It’s hard to describe to my family at home what’s happening here. I try to reassure them as it is hard for them to be watching all of this on the news from home. We know the defence teams are working and the UAE government are doing a good job at keeping citizens safe and sharing reliable and reassuring messages. We are constantly keeping family members updated, and reassuring them we feel safe despite the current situation.”

THE LONG ROAD BACK TO FOSSA

For Sara and Aoife, the priority has shifted from sightseeing to survival and, eventually, extraction. With airspace closures and the local airport in a state of flux, their planned return to Kerry has been indefinitely delayed. What was meant to be a week of memories has become a test of endurance.
“It’s been very surreal,” Laura said of her friends’ predicament. “We had all really been looking forward to the week together in Dubai as it was their first time coming out to the UAE to visit. The first few days of the trip were really enjoyable. We had been visiting the usual landmarks – the desert, the Burj Khalifa, a beach club and all the popular tourism spots. However it all changed on Saturday and since then we’ve been spending our days staying in the apartment. Definitely not the holiday we had planned but reminding ourselves we are safe and that’s the most important thing.”
The girls were due to touch down in Ireland this week, but like many others, they are currently at the mercy of the airlines and the shifting geopolitical landscape.
“The girls were due to fly home on Wednesday (March 4) however their flight has been cancelled due to the airspace closures,” Laura confirmed. “They are currently waiting to hear from their airline as to the right steps forward to get home as soon as they can, however it is still all a bit up in the air. It’s great to have each other during these uncertain times. It has turned into a memory we’ll never forget and story to tell!”
As of Thursday evening, when the Killarney Advertiser closed for press, the trio remain safe in Laura’s apartment, waiting for the skies to clear and the gates of the airport to reopen.