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