Monday 2 December 2024

6:15pm Mass with Lighting of the Tree & Dedication of the Star.

St. Mary’s Cathedral, New Street, Killarney.

A spectacular 100ft tree, festooned with close on 3,000 sparkling lights and topped with a giant star, illuminates Killarney every Christmas. 

The towering Tree of Light features on the grounds of St Mary’s Cathedral on a landmark giant Californian Redwood tree just outside the main door of the Pugin-designed building. 

The project is an exciting collaboration between a Christmas in Killarney Festival and the Killarney parish and it creates a wonderful focal point in the town in the lead up to and during the festive season. 

The lights are officially switched on immediately after a special ceremony which is held in St Mary’s Cathedral. Killarney Parish Administrator, Fr Kieran O’Brien and the project committee extend a warm invitation to all community groups, schools, clubs and organisations, families and individuals to join the wonderful community celebration

The Tree of Light was first lit to mark the millennium year when it commemorated all those who lost their lives in the conflict in Northern Ireland and it was again illuminated in the mid-2000s to remember those who had been killed on Irish roads.  Since then, the project is all about community and it celebrates the fact that Killarney is such a wonderful town to live in and to visit. 

The feature Californian Redwood tree is one of the most wonderful visual features in Killarney and it will greet tens of thousands of visitors passing the cathedral on their way to and from Killarney during the festive season.