No room at the inn: Killarney battles to keep tourist crown

With more than a third of tourist beds no longer available, Killarney faces an uphill battle to retain its status as Ireland’s top visitor destination, writes Anne Lucey

The Big Red Bus travels though Main Street Killarney  ahead of the 4th of July American festival. Pictures: Don MacMonagle

Gearing up to celebrate the Fourth of July in style, Killarney at this time of year can seem a bit more like Disneyland than Ireland.

A colourful parade full of razamatazz, outdoor movies, cowboys in costume, and the raising of the Stars and Stripes are planned for the Kerry tourist town which now, more than ever, is heavily dependent on the dollar.