250th anniversary of Fisher prints

FAMOUS KILLARNEY PRINTS BY DUBLIN LANDSCAPE ARTIST JONATHAN FISHER WERE HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER WHEN UNVEILED IN 1770, AND BROUGHT TO WORLD-WIDE ATTENTION THE BEAUTY OF KILLARNEY

ON May 1, 1770 artist Jonathan Fisher produced a series of six prints that would come to define the iconic status of Killarney’s lakes and its rich scenic landscape.

For many tourists around the world, the images were the first introduction to a landscape that would later come to represent one of the tourist capitals of the world.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the prints, Killarney once again finds itself looking outwards in an effort to attract attention during these difficult and uncertain times, and hopes that tourists will flock to Killarney again when the restrictions caused by the pandemic are lifted.

Mounted on the wall of The Bricín Restaurant in High Street, Killarney, is a set of the famous prints.

The prints stylise Killarney in an overly dramatic way that appeals to the eye and sense of romance associated with appreciating mountains and landscapes.

Proprietor Johnny McGuire is proud to have them on his

“The prints were one of the first and original promotions of Killarney that was ever done”

wall.

“It was the local Earl of Kenmare who was the main benefactor, and he made a contribution towards the printing of them at the time,” Johnny said.

“The Earl knew that once the prints were made and introduced into wider circulation that they would attract visitors to the town and lakes of Killarney.

“It was one of the first and original promotions of Killarney that was ever done for tourism in the area.”

Johnny added that in the 250 years since the prints were sketched, their meaning and representation has survived through famine, cholera, pandemic, recession, World Wars, and yet all the while the hospitality of Killarney has continued. In many ways the prints have come to symbolise an emblem of tourism in Killarney and County Kerry.

“Even among the tourists in the restaurant, the prints generate massive interest. They find them fascinating, particularly the Americans. This was at a time when America was in search of its independence, and we were looking for tourists to come to Killarney.

“Please God we will continue to go on long into the future once we emerge from this pandemic.

“We’ve been welcoming tourists to Killarney for over 264 years and hopefully that will continue,” Johnny said.