A spectacular street parade, featuring striking custom-built floats, baton-twirling cheerleaders, colourful movie characters and leather clad bikers, will be the highlight of this year’s Killarney 4th July celebrations later this Monday night (7.00pm) but there was no shortage of fun in the town earlier today as locals celebrated with delighted American visitors.
Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan
Main Street in Killarney has taken on a Disney-like magic for a day and night of celebrations to mark the town’s special centuries-old link with America.
Thousands of visitors from Stateside choose Killarney as their favourite holiday destination every year and this is the town’s way of giving something back to mark the big US occasion.
“Just as our American friends celebrate St Patrick’s Day in style, we will do likewise to mark their Independence Day,” said 4th July Festival Chairman Diarmuid Leen.
The festivities got underway with the formal raising of the American Flag at the town hall with the Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Niall Kelleher, and the Acting President of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, Conor Hennigan, presiding.
Talented local singer Liam Randles delivered power-packed versions of the American and Irish national anthems and he and his band, Fiain, entertained the crows with some rousing numbers, featuring tracks from The Cranberries to John Denver.
The Statue of Liberty and Uncle Sam are keeping a close watch over Main Street with face-painters and street entertainers roaming the town while Killarney is turned Hollywood for a few glorious hours with everybody from Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin and a posse of fun-loving cowboys on the loose.
At Killarney House and Gardens later tonight, multi-award winning soul performer Buck Taylor will entertain the masses at the Soul in the Park from 9.00pm and, at 10 o’clock, the celebrations will conclude in a fabulous fashion with an open air screening of the hit movie The Greatest Showman on the lawns of Killarney House and Gardens.
The Killarney 4th July celebration is organised by Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce with support from Kerry County Council and Fáilte Ireland as well as sponsors Heineken.
Killarney’s best loved news and advertising service. Call 087-2229761 or email news@killarneytoday.com
