Hopes Killarney can become capital of Christmas

It’s hoped Killarney can become the capital of Christmas, as well as tourism.

That’s according to Bridget O’Keeffe, senior executive of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce.

She was speaking as the final Christmas parade was held in the town last evening.

The weekly parades have been running since the end of November, and are part of the Christmas in Killarney festival which includes markets, Santa’s grotto, and sleigh rides.

Senior executive of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, Bridget O’Keeffe, says they’re always trying to improve, with the aim of Killarney becoming the capital of Christmas.

All systems go for Christmas with the final Christmas in Killarney Magic Parade in Killarney town on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE Pic

All systems go for Christmas with the final Christmas in Killarney Magic Parade in Killarney town on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE Pic

All systems go for Christmas as Derry Healy makes his final appearance as O'Donoghue's magic white horse in the final Christmas in Killarney Magic Parade in Killarney town on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE Pic

A moment of magic...it's All systems go for Christmas as Derry Healy makes his final appearance as O'Donoghue's magic white horse in the final Christmas in Killarney Magic Parade in Killarney town on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE Pic

The O'Donoghue family out in force watching the parade, in the final Christmas in Killarney Magic Parade in Killarney town on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE Pic

Paul O'Neill, left and Justin Healy, leading out the parade, for the final Christmas in Killarney Magic Parade in Killarney town on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE Pic

Anto Cronin, telling children that Santa is on his way as he leads out the parade, for the final Christmas in Killarney Magic Parade in Killarney town on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE Pic

Getting into the festive spirit Marie Kehoe-O'Sullivan and Alan O'Meara, at the final Christmas in Killarney Magic Parade in Killarney town on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE Pic

Recording the moment on Main Street, at the final Christmas in Killarney Magic Parade in Killarney town on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE Pic

Savouring the moment on Main Street, at the final Christmas in Killarney Magic Parade in Killarney town on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE Pic

A job well done, Stewards Denis McMahon and Finola Spillane, at the final Christmas in Killarney Magic Parade in Killarney town on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE Pic

A job well done, Carol Dempsey, at the final Christmas in Killarney Magic Parade in Killarney town on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE Pic

Santa Claus makes his final appearance before he takes to the skies in the Christmas in Killarney Magic Parade in Killarney town on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE Pic

MC Kieran Healy has one last interview with Santa Claus as he made his final appearance before he takes to the skies in the Christmas in Killarney Magic Parade in Killarney town on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE Pic

A job well done, the Ukranian dance troupe at their final Christmas in Killarney Magic Parade in Killarney town on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE Pic

A moment of magic...it's All systems go for Christmas as the magic characters make their final appearance in the Christmas in Killarney Magic Parade in Killarney town on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE Pic

Magic moments...Conor Healy with his Daughter savouring every moment of the final Christmas in Killarney Magic Parade in Killarney town on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE Pic