WELCOME FOR 2013

NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATIONS:

THE New Year was welcomed in with style on Monday night by communities the length and breadth of South Kerry.

Killarney was the location for the biggest public celebration in the south of the county when the inaugural Christmas in Killarney New Year’s Eve Street Bash ushered in 2013 with a spectacular programme of events.

The night got off to a dazzling start with the much-celebrated group of musicians and dancers, led by David Rea, delivering a lively and festive performance, followed by special guest singer Cathal Flaherty, while Drum Dance Ireland had crowd goers bopping to the beat of their boisterous drums. An energetic dance routine from Zumba extraordinaire Linda Flanagan got everyone moving and clapping their hands and DJ Gavin O’Leary played the classics from the year gone by to get the audience in the mood for midnight.

Excitement reached fever pitch as the countdown was led by MC, 2fm’s Dan O’Neill, and on the stroke of midnight, a glittering fireworks display danced across the Killarney sky, to the backdrop of the pealing of the bells of St Mary’s Cathedral.

Organisers Marian Lyne and Gemma Kavanagh of the Christmas in Killarney committee were delighted with the event. “We are thrilled with the turnout. This year was the first year of the event and we were blown away with how many people turned up. There was a real party atmosphere in the town centre on the night,” said Marian.

In Killorglin, the Killorglin and District Pipe Band rekindled a tradition of playing and marching around the town by the Laune, to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another.

Music of a various kinds entertained locals and visitors alike in hostelries and restaurants in Killorglin – up-and-coming band The Smash played Kingston’s, Mike Kelliher appeared in The Manor Inn, Blame Jane in Sol y Sombra tapas bar, while The Hound Dogs rocked Jack’s Coastguard Restaurant in Cromane.

In Kenmare, the first-ever Nollaig Neidín festival drew to a close in sumptuous fashion with a New Year’s Eve Gala Ball in the Park Hotel. Guests were treated to a champagne and canapés reception, followed by a six-course feast and music and dancing until the wee small hours.

Apart from partying, members of the public welcomed 2013 in energetic fashion yesterday (New Year’s Day) by participating in the Star of the Laune AC Charles O’Shea Memorial 10km, while a 5km Fun Run/Walk went ahead in Keel in support of Keel Palliative Care.

Murphy, David Fleming, Anne Dennehy, Timmy Mairead O'Connor and Eoin McCarthy, Sliabh Luachra (main pic) the huge Macra Na Feirme, at the INEC and for the street party. crowd that gathered in Killarney

■ ABOVE: Enjoying themselves at 'Ireland's Biggest New Year's Eve Party' at the INEC, Killarney, were, Marella Shanahan, Annie Leahy, Liz O'Toole and Elaine Sheehy.

■ ABOVE: A smiling youngster enjoying the street atmosphere at Killarney’s New Year’s Eve Street Bash on Main Street, Killarney and (right) Katie Sheehy, Anne Goughan and Cathryn Smullen. at the INEC.

Photos by Valerie O'sullivan LEFT: New Year's Eve kiss . . . Colin and Ann Joy share a kiss to mark their 25th wedding anniversary.

■ Enjoying themselves at 'Ireland's Biggest New Year's Eve Party' at The INEC, Killarney, were, Sinead O'Brien, Daragh McCormack, Deirdre Fox and Thomas Fox.

■ Enjoying themselves at ‘Ireland's Biggest New Year’s Eve Party’ at the INEC, Killarney, were Margaret and Martin Mulvihill, John Kiely and Sinead Coveney.

■ Shane Lyne, Dania Qasim, Aaron Jones and Nia Sheehan, Killarney, ringing in the New Year at the Christmas in Killarney street party on Monday.