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Spectacular stag will be festival focal point

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2 years ago

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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. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

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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Sinn Féin to host public meeting on cost of living at Killarney Heights Hotel

Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty will host a public meeting on the costs of living and housing crises at the Killarney Heights Hotel on Thursday, May 28 at 8pm. […]

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17 hours ago

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25 May 2026

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Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty will host a public meeting on the costs of living and housing crises at the Killarney Heights Hotel on Thursday, May 28 at 8pm.

The Donegal TD will be joined by Kerry TD Pa Daly to discuss the economic pressures facing local households and the policy changes needed to provide financial relief. The main focus of the evening will center on the barriers preventing local people from buying their own homes, alongside broader costs of living challenges.
Speaking exclusively to the Killarney Advertiser ahead of his visit, Deputy Doherty said workers and families across Kerry are being squeezed from every direction by rising weekly shops, high energy bills, increasing insurance premiums, and substantial housing costs.
“Young people are losing hope that they will ever own a home in the county where they were raised,” Deputy Doherty said. “And while all of this is happening, the government is sitting on billions in budget surpluses while telling struggling families to wait. It is simply not good enough.”
The Sinn Féin finance spokesperson highlighted specific regional factors making the crisis acute in County Kerry, particularly regarding home heating costs.
“Almost 59% of homes in Kerry rely on home heating oil, which is nearly double the state average of 34%,” he said. “That means families across the county are far more exposed to soaring fuel costs than households in many other parts of the state. Yet the government withdrew supports that were helping households keep the lights on and heat their homes.”
Deputy Doherty noted that the housing situation in Kerry has moved beyond a social issue and is now impacting the local economy and communities. He pointed to figures showing average rents in the county have reached €1,493 per month, with exceptionally low market availability.
“At the time of writing, there were only 27 properties available online to rent across the entire county. Only 19 were below €2,000 a month and just five were available for less than €1,500. A county the size of Kerry, and only five rental properties affordable to someone on an ordinary income,” he said.
He also raised concerns for first-time buyers, noting that average house prices in Kerry have climbed to €296,000, representing an increase of €33,500 in a single year.
During the meeting, the Sinn Féin representatives will outline their party’s alternative proposals. These include a state-led program of affordable home building, a ban on excessive rent increases, enhanced protections for renters, and immediate energy credits and tax relief for workers.
“The resources exist to do this,” Deputy Doherty added. “The government’s own figures show billions in surplus funds available to the state. The issue is not a lack of money. The issue is political choice.”
The meeting is open to all members of the public, and a discussion session will follow the main presentations.

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National Park hosts weekend Bioblitz for National Biodiversity Week

Killarney National Park is taking centre stage for the final weekend of National Biodiversity Week, with the public being urged to get outdoor and explore the local environment. Today, Friday, […]

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19 hours ago

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25 May 2026

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Killarney National Park is taking centre stage for the final weekend of National Biodiversity Week, with the public being urged to get outdoor and explore the local environment.

Today, Friday, May 22, marks the UN International Day for Biological Diversity, and a series of free events will run across the park until the national celebration concludes this Sunday, May 24.
The highlight of the weekend is the Killarney National Park Bioblitz. This event brings families, nature lovers, and community volunteers together to find, identify, and record as many different plant and animal species as possible across the park’s diverse habitats over the next three days.
Christopher O’Sullivan, Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, encouraged locals and visitors alike to utiliSe the final days of the festival to experience the area’s unique wildlife, referencing Killarney’s native habitats as key areas the state is working to protect.
Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), noted that the week is designed to remind people that native plants, woodlands, and rivers are vital systems that make life possible. OrganiSers are encouraging anyone in the locality to head out to Killarney National Park before Sunday evening to participate in the species count and support local conservation efforts.

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