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Storm Barra hits Christmas in Killarney festival

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The Christmas in Killarney committee has been left counting the cost of a devastating blow during Storm Barra which damaged a number of the spectacular floats that feature in the festive season magical parades.

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The painstakingly created artistic floats were housed in a heavy-duty, purpose acquired marquee in the grounds of Fitzgerald Stadium from where the parades commence on Saturday nights.

The marquee had been secured in a walled-in corner of the outside pitch on the Lewis Road side of the stadium but the sheer force of the violent gusts ripped the structure open and caused significant damage to some of the floats.

“We are still assessing the cost of the damage but we expect that it will at least run to a couple of thousand euro such was the ornate features of the floats,” said Christmas in Killarney Chairman and Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce President Niall Kelleher.

“The annual costs involved in running the Christmas in Killarney festival are very considerable and this was a big setback because, in the current climate, generating financial support was proving very difficult,” he added.

“If people want to offer support at this stage, they can donate online or buy a bulb for the Tree of Light Shine A Light project at one of the participating stores.”

It is understood that the damage occurred just before lunchtime on Tuesday when Killarney was taking a real battering with trees being knocked and slates ripped off buildings.

Another added cost for the festival organisers is the impact the red alert storm had on the spectacular Tree of Light on the grounds of St Mary’s Cathedral.

A number of the 4,500 energy-efficient feature bulbs on the 100ft tree were blown about in the strong gales with the connections becoming loose and there will be significant work and costs involved in repairing the damage.

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Tadhg Fleming to lead Team Jack and Jill in Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle

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Tadhg Fleming to lead Team Jack and Jill in Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle


Comedian and content creator Tadhg Fleming will lead the charge for Team Jack and Jill this summer, taking on the 170km Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle on Saturday, July 4.


The annual event, which starts and finishes in Killarney, raises vital funds for charities across Ireland. This year, Fleming is urging cyclists of all abilities to join him in raising money to support the 504 Jack and Jill families nationwide, including 14 families currently receiving care in County Kerry.
“It’s a sin this Kerry man hasn’t done the Ring of Kerry yet, but it’s about time I did it,” Fleming said. “I’m absolutely delighted to be taking it on for Jack and Jill, a charity very close to our hearts. Dad Derry has done it a few times and told me it’s a piece of cake, so we’ll soon find out about that.”
The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation provides critical in-home nursing care and respite support for children up to the age of seven who live with severe learning disabilities and complex medical needs.
Among those benefiting from the service is Tralee mother Anna Walsh. Her youngest daughter, Róisín, lives with Angelman syndrome, a rare neurogenetic condition.
“Jack and Jill has made such a difference to our family life,” Walsh said. “The hours of in-home nursing care we receive mean I’m able to work, which is massively important for our family. It gives us breathing space, practical support, and reassurance when things are overwhelming.”
Registration is now open for participants looking to secure a place on the team. Those who sign up to cycle for the charity will receive fundraising support, specialized training plans from Coral Leisure personal trainers, and an official Jack and Jill cycling jersey.
Cyclists can register to join Team Jack and Jill online at https://www.ringofkerrycycle.ie/our-charities/jack-jill-foundation/

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100-year-old fire tender beautifully restored 

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Billy Spring from Milltown with his restored Merryweather Hatfield Trailer Pump Fire Tender which was in service by Killarney Fire Brigade from it’s purchase in 1926 up until the 1960’s,Billy purchased it in 1994,he carried out the restoration on it from 2008 to 2026.This Appliance was particularly suited for duties as the town was composed of a lot of narrow lanes and congested areas where a regular pump couid not gain access.Photo by Michael G Kenny

A piece of Killarney’s municipal history has been painstakingly brought back to life following an extensive restoration project by Milltown resident Billy Spring.

The rare machine served as a frontline tender for the Killarney Fire Brigade for four decades, spanning from the 1920s through to the 1960s. Having survived a century, the machine required a monumental amount of skilled craftsmanship to reverse decades of wear and return it to its former glory.

Now fully restored, this unique piece of local heritage offers a rare glimpse into the early days of emergency services in the region.

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