Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan
AND so this is Christmas.
After a very difficult year for so many, in Killarney and around the world, some colour and magic can again be enjoyed following the switching-on of the festive street lights and spectacular festive season decorations on Sunday night.
The virtual ceremony on a near deserted Main Street was presided over by Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Brendan Cronin, with Killarney Municipal District Manager, Angela McAllen and President of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, Paul Sherry.
With the country still in Level 5 lockdown on Sunday, the excitement was confined to a few people who just happened to be out walking and were lucky to experience the magic, even as the eerie fog descended on the town centre.
Mayor Cronin remarked: “Our town puts on a great spectacle at Christmas but this year things are very different. It’s been a very challenging year for all of us”.
He added: “We’ve missed meeting friends and family and marking those important events in our own and our families’ lives but we are getting through it together and there’s finally hope on the horizon with a vaccine and we will, with God’s help, persevere through this”.
The mayor said this Christmas it is very important to buy local and support local businesses who contribute to making our town what it is.
“We can see their resilience when we walk the streets admiring the window displays and Christmas lighting. They have excelled themselves with their lights and creativity for all to enjoy as they wander through the town”.
Cllr Cronin also encouraged the people not let their guard down over the Christmas period and to ensure to continue to keep up the standards, maintain social distancing, keep washing hands and practicing cough etiquette.
“It is critically important to keep ourselves and our families safe. We must deliver compassion and empathy in spades to those around us,” he stated.
The mayor said people must remember the more vulnerable in our community, those living alone and particularly those who have not seen family and friends in the last number of months.
“This has been an extremely difficult time for them and I am appealing to everyone to make an extra effort to pick up the phone and make that contact to check in and say a friendly ‘hello’.”
The mayor was also able to receive confirmation that Santa has been given the green light to fly to Killarney and all other parts of Kerry.
“The elves have been working extremely hard all year. Everything is ready for Santa Claus to call to all the boys and girls on,” he said.
Cllr Cronin said he fully understands that many people are missing the atmosphere and celebration of the turning on ceremony and parades but he urged the people to check out the spectacular lights and decorations for themselves over the next five weeks.
“We fully understand the sacrifices each person in our community has made this year and Kerry County Council, the Chamber of Tourism and Commerce and the Looking Good Committee have worked to add an extra sparkle to our town to give everyone of an extra bit of happiness and joy over the Christmas period,” he said.
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