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Don’t let Christmas in Killarney be cancelled

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AN APPEAL is being made to ensure the future of the Christmas in Killarney festival, Killarney Advertiser can exclusively reveal.

Matters are in “dire straits” in the words of Kate O’Leary of the Christmas in Killarney committee. Kate made an impassioned plea for support for the festival at a Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce business networking lunch today. “If we manage to get the same amount of local sponsorship this year that we got last year, the only thing that we will be able to do is hang lights over the town; there will be no big parade, no parade every Saturday,” she told Killarney Advertiser. “We are in a dire situation.”

Committee members devoted in excess of 60 hours last year to trying to secure sponsorship, said Kate. She is appealing to businesses, schools and families to get behind Christmas in Killarney. “It is a month-long festival and it definitely has the biggest crowd-drawing power of any of our festivals,” she said. “To even contemplate Christmas in Killarney without the Christmas in Killarney festival is unbearable, it’s unthinkable.”

So what can be done? “At worst we need to raise €30,000 just to cover expenses that have rolled over from year to year,” said Kate. “At best we need to raise €90,000.”

The value of the festival and the return on investment in it must be “weighed up” against other sponsorship demands, she added. “You’re talking 7,000 people out on the streets on the night of the big parade and up to 4,000 people on the nights of the other parades,” she said.

Kate added: “The bottom line is we have to hold on to the festival. We have volunteers willing to do the work but we can’t magic up the money.” To help support the event, you can contact 087-2446131.

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE ON TUESDAY WHEN WE WILL BROADCAST AN INTERVIEW WITH KATE O'LEARY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CHRISTMAS IN KILLARNEY FESTIVAL


Above: A scene from the Christmas in Killarney Magic Parade during last year’s Christmas in Killarney festival. Pic: Valerie O’Sullivan

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Rewild Festival organisers reveal expanded line-up for 2026 event

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Organisers of the Rewild Festival have unveiled the official details for the 2026 event, which returns to the old Dunloe Golf Course on July 11.

Building on the success of previous years, the festival has expanded its schedule to include early Friday camping on 10 July, transforming the event into a multi-day experience.

The weekend begins on Friday evening with storytelling, candlelit tales, fireside sessions, and two on-site saunas.

The event will also feature an Irish festival first, offering attendees the opportunity to experience being buried in mycelium.

Saturday features 15 live acts across the main stages, all-day DJ sets, and over 20 wellness workshops covering sound baths and breathwork.

The day’s activities also include a céilí on the hill, market stalls, educational talks, children’s entertainment, fire shows, and art installations.

Live music performances will continue through Sunday, 12 July until lunchtime.

A wide selection of regional food and drink vendors will be available on-site, featuring local businesses such as Muckross Ice Cream, The Black Sheep, and Pigs Lane.

The festival bar will serve draught beers from Killarney’s newest brewery, Loinnir Brewing.

Additionally, organisers have confirmed that if the Kerry GAA team plays during the weekend, the match will be broadcast live on a big screen.

Festival co-founder Kevin Leahy noted that the crew has thoroughly enjoyed watching the community grow.

“We’ve sold over 70% of tickets and expect to sell out, so we won’t be selling tickets on the gate,” Leahy stated.

Information and remaining tickets are available on the official website at www.rewildfestival.ie, and physical tickets can be purchased directly at the Black Sheep Hostel.

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Lions Club Donates €11.5k to Community groups and schools

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Killarney Lions Club has donated €11,500 to seven community groups and schools in the Killarney area and Childhood Cancer in Cork.

The money was raised through a variety of Lions activities and events during the year, in particular the Club’s Annual Golf Classic and Scrap Metal Collection.

The local organisations that received donations were Kerry Hospice Foundation, Irish Kidney Association, Kerry Cancer Support Group, Killarney Cardiac Response Unit, Kerry Mental Health Association, Killarney Community College and St. Brendan’s College Killarney.

“We had great support for our Golf Classic this year, with 26 teams taking part at Killarney Golf Club on April 24th, and the Scrap Metal Collection was supported by MF Quirke’s Sand and Gravel, builder Keith McMahon and our partners KWD Recycling” said Jason Higgins, President, Killarney Lions Club. “Thanks to everyone’s generosity we are now able to make these donations to a variety of organisations in the local area, and we hope it will help them to continue providing great support and services in our community.”

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