Tourist season opens for business

The stars and stripes blended easily into a sea of green in tourist-haven Killarney as early American visitors, some dressed like overgrown leprechauns, joined in St Patrick’s Day festivities.

Tourists were among the thousands lining the streets for the colourful parade, with The Gathering being the theme of many entries.

Grand marshal was the Bishop of Kerry, Dr Bill Murphy, who was driven at the head of the parade in a horse-drawn carriage with Killarney deputy mayor Donal Grady.