Killarney St Patrick’s Festival Chairman Paul Sherry had thanked everybody involved in creating “the perfect day” in town on March 17.
He said the sunshine added to the occasion and everybody played a part in creating a wonderful day out.
Pictures: Eamonn Keogh
“The St Patrick’s Day parade is a celebration of our community, our history and our heritage.
“The spirit of community and volunteerism is alive and well in our town and this was evidenced by the magnificent display we saw on our streets,” Mr Sherry said.
Speaking at the presentation of prizes at the International Hotel on Tuesday night, Mr Sherry said all involved are community activists giving their time and effort to make their club or organisation better and, by association, Killarney a better place for all to live in.
“I want to thank you and applaud you for being those type of people,” he said.
Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
“You are here this evening because you excelled in your efforts to put on a show and, in the opinion of our judges, you were the best in your respective categories.
“That is not to say or diminish the effort that every other group makes because without the overall effort, there would be no parade,” the festival chairman stated.
“It is no co-incidence either that the names that appear on our winners’ list every year are often repeated because they have gone that extra mile, put that little bit of extra thought into their entry and have the desire to proudly promote their club or organisation.
“I am glad to say that you have raised the bar and it is my hope and wish that the standard that you have achieved and the bar you have set will encourage others to aspire to raise their game also for future parades,” Mr Sherry said.
The chairman said the prizegiving ceremony was due to have taken place last week but it was only fitting, given the circumstances, that it was adjourned for seven days as a mark of respect following the sad passing of Breda Walshe, daughter-in-law of this year’s parade grand marshal Cathal Walshe.
“Our sincere condolences to Cathal and family. May Breda rest in peace,” he said.
He thanked the committee members, Bernadette Randles, John Healy, Peter Dunlea, Fiona Crowley, Martin O’Brien, Cllr Niall Kelleher, Valerie O’Sullivan, Sophie Lodge and Maitiu Gray and he reserved special mention for Katy Jacobi, Maureen Hegarty, Thys Vogels whose contribution this year was tremendous.
Mr Sherry also acknowledged the huge involvement of Eileen O’Connor, Matthew Farrell, John Ahern, Noel O’Leary, Connie O’Connor Moira Murrell and Angela McAllen of Kerry County Council and Sgt Dermot O’Connell and An Garda Siochána.
He thanked Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce’s festival partners, Kerry County Council and Fáilte Ireland, the stewards from Fitzgerald Stadium and all the volunteers who turn out every year to make this the safest event it can be.
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