What’s the ‘quack’ with Killarney’s newest store?

Have you ever woken up one morning and said to yourself, "I need more rubber ducks in my life"? If so, then it's your ducky day.

Killarney Duck Store is to officially open its doors on High Street this week and the people behind the new store have been busy stocking the shelves with an unimaginable assortment of ducks.

From classy ducks in tuxedos to Star Wars inspired ducks, they've got it all. They even have a section for duck enthusiasts who believe in fashion-forward feathered friends and Fashionista ducks wearing mini sunglasses and tiny feather boas.

The store's grand opening is due to take place on July 8 with a ribbon cutting at 10am.

Free Killarney Duck Store Tote bags will be given out to the first 20 customers and there will be a free raffle entry for every customer for a chance to win a Giant Duck.

Balloons, Cupcakes and loads of rubber ducks promises to have locals and visitors ‘quacking’ up with laughter.

The new business owner Elaine Burke would be known locally for running BE Pro Therapy, a successful Physical Therapy & Osteopathy business in town

Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser this week Elaine said the idea was first ‘floated’ while on holidays in Italy in February of this year.

“My kids begged me to go into a duck store in Milan and once in the store I was hooked! We bought some ducks and after we walked out of the store I said to them that is was a good business idea and its steamrolled from there,” she said.

“This store is because of my kids and for my kids and they have worked incredibly hard helping me get it up and running and we are delighted to share a little quackiness with everyone who walks in our doors"

The store is certainly going to add a ‘splash’ of colour and fun to High St. which is already one of the towns busiest thoroughfares.

So, whether you're a collector, a duck aficionado, or just need a little quackme-up, make sure you waddle on down to the The Killarney Duck store on Saturday.

The 4th of July parade is one of four flagship events the Chamber runs each year and is now a mainstay in the local events calendar. I am convinced that there is no other town in Ireland that runs so many magnificent events throughout the year as Killarney.

Although a majority of activities took place on Tuesday, it was Monday’s schedule that caught my imagination. As the sounds of live music offered up by Truly Diverse reverberated around Killarney House and Gardens on Monday evening, it became clear to me that outdoor gigs have a distinct and unrivalled charm about them.

It brought me back to younger days and memories of the Killarney Summerfest, which attracted tens of thousands of visitors to town each year. Brian Adams, Westlife, Pink, Elton John and Meat Loaf all headlined at Fitzgerald Stadium. I will shamefully admit, Pink was actually a guilty pleasure of mine throughout my early teens, her music coincided with a skate boarder phase I was going through and her CD, along with Avril Lavigne and whatever blink182 were playing got great mileage on the Walkman. I remember begging my late mom to buy me a ticket for that Pink gig in the Fitzgerald Stadium (to no avail) which would have been selling for about €40 or €50 at the time.

I kicked up a big fuss on the day of the gig and managed to shake €20 out of her. Once I figured nobody was willing to sell me their ticket for half the price they paid for it I had to come up with another plan. We were living on Rock Road at the time so Dalton’s Ave and Marion’s Terrace was familiar territory. There is a big silver gate behind the town end goal and I thought I might be able to slide under the gate if it was unattended, which to my disappointment, it was not. I did somehow manage to convince the security guy guarding the gate to let an unattended 14/15 year old into the gig unsupervised. It is funny, I remember that so clearly but cannot recall much of the gig at all.

Reigniting Summerfest may be a step too far, but more outdoor gigs such as those on Monday night at Killarney House and Gardens would be brilliant events if ran throughout the Summer. While traditional indoor venues have their allure, and the INEC does a wonderful job of attracting big ticket names, there is an undeniable draw for more niche, family friendly outdoor gigs. These al fresco events foster a real sense of community and provide local accomplished and aspiring artists with a unique platform to express their talent. Our parks and open spaces are underutilised and underserviced. We need to tap into the fantastic surroundings we have here in Killarney which would enhance the live music scene in town. We only have to look to Marley Park or Malahide Castle in Dublin to see what can be achieved.

The ambiance created at Killarney House and Gardens on Monday just cannot be replicated indoors. These events not only create memorable experiences for us all, but can provide a stage for local talent, energise our public spaces, and promote inclusivity. With all of those positives, surely we can put our heads together to create a series of outdoor summer gigs that everyone can enjoy.

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