Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has paid tribute to the enormous contribution of local businessman Paul Sherry who has stepped down as voluntary chairman of the St Patrick’s Festival in Killarney.

Mr Sherry said he has thoroughly enjoyed his time at the helm but, due to several other commitments, he has to hand over the baton to somebody else to plan for the future and elevate the event to a new level.

Chamber President Niall Kelleher said the outgoing chairman has done a tremendous job over the past five years and his work ethic has been extraordinary.

“It is regularly said that if you want something done well then you should give it to a busy person and that was certainly the case with Paul,” Mr Kelleher said.

“In addition to his position as manager of Killarney Outlet Centre, he is hugely active in Killarney Celtic FC, Killarney Rotary Club and so many other local organisations yet he always found time to do the job for us and to do it very well.

“Paul put his heart and soul into the organisation of the St Patrick’s Festival in Killarney, leading by example all the time and the town and its people owe him an enormous debt of gratitude for ensuring we have had such a wonderful spectacle to enjoy every March.”

Paul said the St Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney has always been a success because, in some shape or form, community activists freely give of their time and effort to their club, their organisation and their community.

“The St Patrick’s Festival is a celebration of our place, our history and our heritage and I want to thank everybody for being part of it over the years,” he said.

“The spirit of community and volunteerism is alive and well in our town and that is clearly evident by the magnificent display we saw on our streets on St Patrick’s Day. Without this overall community effort, there would be no parade,” he added.

Paul Sherry has spent the past five years as voluntary chairperson of the St Patrick’s Festival – even though it was suspended during the pandemic – and, prior to that, he was assistant chairperson during Anne Marie Kennelly’s three-year term in charge.

“I feel that, in order for the festival to grow and progress, it now needs fresh input from somebody with experience in international marketing to promote Killarney further,” he said.

“Much as I have enjoyed working on the festival, between the demands of family, work and other commitments, I will no longer be able to allocate the time necessary to do justice to what is required to run this event,” Mr Sherry added.

”I wish to take this opportunity to thank everyone within the Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, Kerry County Council and Fáilte Ireland who have helped and supported me with the festival and I have no doubt that, with fresh leadership and commitment, St Patrick’s Festival Killarney will go from strength to strength."