WHEN it came to pageantry, colour and ceremonial grandeur, the loyal traditionalists and culture-rich people of the Italian village of Verrès knew they could Count on a Killarney resident – quite literally.
Architect Davide Mosca – an underage coach with Killarney Celtic FC and a leading light in the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce – was very much in the limelight at the weekend when he took up the role of the 72nd Count Pierre in his native village.
Davide and his family returned to Italy from their home in Killarney to accept the honour and the popular architect was crowned Count Pierre of Verrès for the duration of a four-day Mardi Gras festival – Italy’s version of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
There were wild and jubilant scenes on the streets in the Aosta Valley village, located to the north-west of Turin, as dashing Davide was paraded through the streets, in a torchlight procession, wearing the traditional combat gear worn by an all-powerful Count several centuries ago.
It sparked great merriment and celebrations which lasted long into the night with scenes that could be described as Italy’s answer to Puck Fair with a touch of the Rose of Tralee glamour added in.
According to legend dating back to the 1400s, the Count and Countess left Verrès Castle to join locals in a village celebration and the colourful tradition has been upheld since then, with one native son honoured with the title every year.
Davide is the third member of his family to be honoured as Count Pierre in Verrès and he follows in the footsteps of his brother and their late father.
There was a big Killarney contingent present on the streets of Verrès as Count Davide paraded through to take his place on a throne fit for a king in the centre of the historic village.
Davide was the architect responsible for the design and creation of the new ANAM Arts and Cultural Centre on East Avenue Road in Killarney.
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