Johnny Healy-Rae loses bid to move Patrick’s Day to Sundays

A Kerry county councillor has failed to get the backing of chamber colleagues for a proposal to have St Patrick’s Day celebrations moved permanently to a Sunday.

Independent Johnny Healy-Rae, however, yesterday said he will continue to lobby the Government to switch the national feast day to the nearest Sunday, as the proposal would give a “huge boost” to tourism. St Patrick’s Day is on Tuesday this year.

He presented a motion at a meeting of the South and West Kerry Municipal Authority, which was seconded by Sinn Féin councillor Damian Quigg.