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Spectacular stag will be festival focal point

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A giant artistic stag, brilliantly representing Killarney’s historic past, has been created as the signature mascot for this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in the town.

A giant artistic stag brilliantly representing Killarney’s historic past has been created as the signature mascot for this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in the town. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

It has been painstakingly created by local artist Sophie Lodge whose spectacular work has been very loyal and true to the magnificent animal that has freely roamed Killarney National Park for generations.

The imaginative artist behind the striking feature piece honed her skills at the world famous Notting Hill Carnival in London.

With a background in visual effects, Sophie has always had a passion for working on community art projects that bring people together and she was the artist responsible for the giant sunflower and colourful butterflies that adorned the bell-tower at St Mary’s Church of the Sloes for previous St Patrick’s Festival celebrations.

This year’s parade will dazzle the public when the custom-made stag, generously sponsored by the trustees of Muckross House and Gardens, is unveiled and paraded through the streets with the assistance of three operators.

With its stomping ground in the UNESCO biosphere reserve of Killarney National Park, home to the deer herd, this historic animal will take centre stage in celebration of the town's rich natural heritage.

The striking artwork really embodies this year's festival theme, which delves into echoes of Killarney's historical past, and the stag is poised to evolve in the coming years when the focus in 2025 will shift towards echoes of Killarney's present, followed by a gaze into the future in 2026.

Jason Clifford, Chair of the St Patrick's Day Festival, said the stag will be a key addition to this year's parade, capturing the imagination of both young and old.

“We are thrilled to have the support of the Muckross House Trustees in bringing this magnificent creation to life, given the integral role that the stag, Muckross House and the national park play in the fabric of our town,” he said.

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Network Ireland Kerry discuss sustainable success

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Network Ireland Kerry held their third annual collaboration event last Wednesday at the Rose Hotel, Tralee. The theme was: “The Journey to Sustainable Success” which brought three industry experts together to talk about their own journey to sustainable successful.

Business professionals, entrepreneurs, and financial leaders came together for this highly anticipated event to learn about the journey from becoming a start-up, to a small-to-medium enterprise (SME), and a large SME.

The event was opened by AIB Branch Liaison for Network Ireland Kerry and AIB Castleisland Branch Manager, Colleen Shannon. It was MC’d by AIB Tralee Branch Manager, Stephen Stack.

Sarah Farrar of AINMHÌ, Garrett Dillon of Mr. Binman and Dillon Waste Ltd. and Susan Quirke-Crowley of Mounthawk Montessori School Group were among the speakers at the event.

These leaders spoke about their challenges, milestones, and breakthroughs they encountered, from launching an idea to scaling operations nationally.

Tara Elzingre of Tara Elzingre Consultancy, Zaneta Labuz-Czerwein of Rustic Boowa and Sharon Hartnett of U Coaching promoted their businesses for ‘Minute on the Mic’

Emily Reen, Network Ireland Kerry President, described the event as a testament to the power of partnership. She said: “The event underscored a powerful message: sustainable business success is not a solo journey. With the right partnerships, teams and financial tools, businesses of all sizes can grow with purpose, resilience, and long-term impact.”

Network Ireland Kerry will host their next monthly event on November 12 in Killarney and in collaboration with the Kerry Local Enterprise Office, titled: “Gain Competitive Advantage in Your Business”. This event will be MC’d by Karen Ronan, 2025 National Vice President of Network Ireland and CEO of Galway Chamber. This event is open to non-members and members, and everyone is welcome from 6 pm for networking and refreshments, with the event taking place from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

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Minor injury clinic to open by this time next year

The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home. […]

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The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home.

The timeline was confirmed in response to a Parliamentary Question from Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill, who said the project will follow the relocation of the Community Nursing Unit from its current site to the grounds of the old St Finan’s Hospital. Once the transfer is complete, construction of the injury clinic can proceed.
Deputy Cahill described the two new health facilities as “a fantastic addition for Killarney and the wider East, Mid, and South Kerry regions” and noted they will help reduce waiting times at University Hospital Kerry A&E.
“I will continue to push for enhanced health services for our people,” added the Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Older People.
The new clinic is expected to provide urgent care services for local residents, easing pressure on hospital emergency departments and improving access to timely treatment in the Killarney area.

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