Ireland

Town councils dominate parades in Kerry towns

Ending of councils in Tralee and Killarney lead to concerns about future festivities

Killarney Legion GAA Club juvenile members create a comical scene to show Killarney Town Council being abolished and chased out of town by ‘Enda Kenny’ and ‘Phil Hogan’. Picture: Eamonn Keogh (MacMonagle, Killarney)

Anne Lucey
Mon Mar 17 2014 - 22:39

The ending of the town councils dominated parades in Kerry’s major towns yesterday, with concerns raised about the future of St Patrick’s Day itself.

The nine-member Killarney Town Council, along with officials and staff, led one of the biggest parades in recent times in Killarney under the town crest of a red deer, the quill of Inisfallen island and the lakes of Killarney.

Established in 1899, the council has been at the centre of life and a driving force in the tourist town.

The theme of the council's demise was taken up by floats, with Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan coming in for attention. Killarney Rugby Club held posters saying "kick Phil Hogan into touch", while others pleaded with the Minister to row back.

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In Tralee, mayor Johnny Wall said getting rid of town councils was "one of the biggest disasters ever" for local government and said the future of St Patrick's Day parades were themselves in jeopardy in towns like Tralee.

The American Legion comprising Irish veterans of the American armed forces, the Irwin School of Dancing and the Millstreet Pipe Band were among the regulars, along with the Gleneagle brass band.

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