The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
A message from Kate O’Leary...
WE are coming to the close of yet another successful year in Killarney and no better way to finish the year than with our Christmas in Killarney festival.
We have seen many wonderful developments throughout the year. For example, the opening of Killarney house gardens with a wonderful community event in April run by Killarney Chamber NPWS and the OPW was certainly one to remember; it evoked memories of the estate of old and reminded people of the wonderful history of the estate. The community has relished the three seasons of strolling through Killarney house this year and all are eagerly watching the growth of cherry tree drive. We have enjoyed two outdoor film screenings there courtesy of Kerry Film Festival and the location could not have been more perfect.
The new railings at St Mary Church are a magnificent addition, they have been perfectly replicated and no doubt contributed significantly to our additional points in the Tidy Towns Competition in which another Gold medal was won this year, and the town has never looked better.
The garden of remembrance at the courthouse, the lighting of many monuments, new developments on laneways and social interaction areas, such as high street and college square, to mention but a few of the projects delivered by our municipal district team.
Many of our hotels have been recognised nationally and internationally with awards, and Killarney has been cited as being in the top ten places in the world to retire and one of the top ten destinations in the world to visit by Trivago.
Our Purple Flag is flying high as we have yet again held on to this prestigious status of being a safe town to visit as an evening destination.
Our festivals saw bumper attendances from the St Patricks festival, to the fourth of July, Ring of Kerry, Outdoor Adventure Races, Marathons, Dance Competition and Triathlons to mention but a few of the events held here this year.
The sense of pride in Killarney is tangible and it is this shared commitment through the community, the businesses and the local authority that has Killarney featured as a top global tourism destination. We are lucky to have the magnificent natural asset that is our national park, but we are even more blessed to have endless energy, foresight and dedication from businesses, local authority and residents to maintain and improve our town and parklands.
My tenure as Chamber president is coming to a close and may I extend heartfelt thanks to all those that I have worked with, worked for and asked work of, during the past two years.
I hope everyone that is in Killarney, both visitor and resident, has an enjoyable Christmas in Killarney and a prosperous 2017.