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Spectacular week of festivities in Killarney

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Killarney became the undisputed fun capital of the country over the past week with the town playing host to the annual Ring of Kerry charity cycle and the spectacular 4th of July festival.

Thousands of people flocked to the town for the dual festivities with 4,500 people participating in the cycle on Saturday while the streets were packed four deep for the gala Independence Day parade on Tuesday night.

Even the weather played its part for the 175km cycle with no rain recorded although the wind in coastal areas and on Moll’s Gap proved quite testing for the charity champions that took to the saddle.

There was a real party atmosphere in the town before, during and after the cycle with a huge demand for the open air screening of the Kerry v Tyrone championship encounter in the Beech Road car park close to the finish line on Mission Road.

Hotels, restaurants and pubs reported a rip-roaring trade for the cycle which has again raised tens of thousands of euro for benefiting charities.

When the bicycles were put back in the rack, Killarney turned its attention to the 4th of July celebrations and what a gala celebration it turned out to be.

Music and other quality entertainment acts filled the town from early afternoon when the flag-raising ceremony, at which recently elected Mayor of Killarney Cllr Brendan Cronin officiated, took place at the town hall but the undoubted highlight was the bumper parade which wound its way through the packed streets on Tuesday night.

Incredibly elaborate floats, marching bands, cheerleaders, Disney characters and colourful flag-bearers took to the streets and there was a special guest appearance by American footballers from Georgia Tech, including star kicker David Shanahan who hails from Castleisland.
The Orange County Ancient Order of Hibernians pipe and drum band made the long trek from the US to participate and they were joined on the night by the Gleneagle Brass Band and marching bands from Millstreet and Blarney.
This year’s 4th of July festival was significantly extended to become a three-day celebration of Killarney’s close and long-established links with the USA.

On Sunday evening there was a high quality dramatisation of the life and times of the McShain and Bourn Vincent families to mark their generosity in donating Killarney National Park, Killarney House and Gardens and so much more to the town.

The event – featuring and highlighting outstanding local talent – was held in the courtyard of Killarney House and close on 150 guests were treated to a feast of music, song and poetry.

On Monday night Killarney House and Gardens also played host to an open air concert featuring hugely popular local band Truly Diverse and that was followed by an open air screening of hit musical Mamma Mia which attracted close on 1,500 people.

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, who organised the festival in association with Kerry County Council, thanked the numerous dedicated volunteers that helped with the smooth running of all events and praised local businesses for playing their part by decorating their premises with a US theme.

Visitors were particularly impressed by the Flesk Restaurant on Main Street – which has long links with the American Legion – as the exterior of the building was spectacularly festooned with American flags and red, white and balloons and it really captured the spirit of the occasion
 

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Killarney for Palestine film screening

Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz. The event, which […]

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Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz.

The event, which took place on July 3, included two screenings, both of which were fully booked. Guests enjoyed cheese and wine before the shows.
‘No Other Land’ depicts the ongoing destruction in Masafer Yatta, a cluster of villages in the Southern West Bank, and shows the experiences of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The film won in the Best Documentary category at this year’s Academy Awards.
The screenings were organised in association with the West End School of Arts.
All proceeds from the €25 tickets benefited Camp Breakerz Crew, a children’s charity based in Gaza that provides creative outlets through dance and is involved in food distribution programs in Nuseirat Camp and Deir-Al-Balah due to food shortages.
Sally MacMonagle, who recently spent time in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, also spoke at one of the screenings.

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Bid to host European Presidency summit meetings gathers pace

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026. Deputy Cahill […]

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Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026.

Deputy Cahill believes Kerry’s available accommodation, food, and conference facilities are “second to none,” with Killarney as the central location.
“Visitors from every corner of the earth have been coming to Kerry for centuries now, to experience its beauty and serenity and have returned on many occasions because of the fabulous time they have enjoyed during their stay here,” said Deputy Cahill. “Where else would you want to bring the senior Government Ministers of all of our EU counterpart states, to experience Ireland, its customs and heritage?”
The Rossbeigh TD outlined various attractions available for visitors during downtime: “During their downtime, they can visit the Blaskets and Slea Head, Sceilg Mhichíl and the Ring of Kerry, Killarney’s Lakes, Gap of Dunloe, National Park and Sliabh Luachra, all of our glorious beaches from Ballybunion to Rossbeigh, Kells to Ventry, Whitestrand to Inch, Ballinskelligs to Cromane, Waterville to Derrynane.” He also cited Kerry’s golf courses, Listowel Writers Week, the Rose of Tralee, and Puck Fair as potential experiences.
Deputy Cahill confirmed he has raised this matter with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris; and Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne.
“If Killarney’s bid is successful in bringing the Heads of State to our county for meetings, conferences and functions, it will be a massive boost to the local economy in Killarney and also throughout the county,” added Cahill.”Iwill continue to push in the coming months for Killarney and Kerry to be included as bases for the rounds of meetings that are to take place from July 1 to December 312026.”

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