Pictures: Santa touches down in Kilkenny City!

The city got into the festive spirit as Yulefest Kilkenny began with the arrival of Santa Claus!

The main man dropped in to the Marble City by boat to launch the festival and to switch on the Christmas lights on the Parade. He was greeted by thousands of revellers, who came to enjoy the occasion and the Christmas Market.

Accompanied by Kilkenny Civil Defence and the Nore Dragon Paddlers, Santa travelled up the River Nore from Greensbridge to Canal Square where hundreds lined the river banks and swarmed bridges to give him a warm welcome. He was then joined by people on foot and on bike for a parade through Kilkenny’s medieval streets as he made his way to the Castle Park with the help of his elves and Mayor David Fitzgerald and their pedal power. Santa was in no rush and spent plenty of time getting into pictures with children and enjoying his time in the city.

Santa, Mrs Claus and the elves then joined Cathaoirleach Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick, Mayor Cllr David Fitzgerald and MC Edward Hayden on the Yulefest Bandstand to officially launch the festive season in Kilkenny as they switched on the Christmas tree lights.

“Christmas is a time of year to bring people together,” said Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick as visitors to Yulfest joined Santa in the big countdown. “Yulefest embraces this community spirit, and creates the perfect festive atmosphere to welcome visitors to Kilkenny. A key feature of the Yulefest Kilkenny Festival is its community connectivity.”

Throughout the day there was live music with Samba Katz, RhythmRiot and Code of Behaviour entertaining people as they browsed the Christmas Market and took part in the festive fun. The market was open again on Sunday with free live music from Gwen Blanchfield and Oracle Villa and plenty of delicious food to try and beautiful gifts to purchase.

Yulefest brings the festive spirit to Ireland’s Marble City until December 23. After the success of last year’s festival, this year Yulefest has grown - with a larger Christmas Market on The Parade and an extended Christmas week programme.
Events are on throughout the county with a variety of festive markets on this weekend - check out yulefestkilkenny.ie for details.

Medieval Mile
A highlight of the Yulefest calendar is the Medieval Mile Run which will be held on Friday. Brought to you by Kilkenny City Harriers this fast course will cross over St Francis Bridge, move through Irishtown and High Street and finish at Kilkenny Castle. Open to all levels, the run is a healthy way to start the festive period.

Another firm favourite at Yulefest is the Rogu fire show and fireworks display. This year, Rogu will perform Fire Map, a set of new routines where they will fuse circus and fire performance together with the illusions of magic and object manipulation, dance and theatre. This fire and light show will be held on Saturday, December 17.

Fireworks
People can also make sure their Christmas starts with a real bang with the Yulefest Fireworks Display on Friday, December 23.

Come together with family and friends to enjoy a visual aerial feast as the skies are lit up over the Castle Park.
This year’s Yulefest will have some very special events as part of the festival. These include a photographic exhibition in Statham’s at the Pembroke with iconic imagery of Kilkenny hurling and camogie stars, and a visit by Dermot & Dave’s Campervan of Christmas Joy.

“Yulefest’s five-week festival welcomes visitors to Kilkenny with a packed programme of Christmas activities,” said Tim Butler, Kilkenny Co Council. “These include live music on the Bandstand, the Kilkenny Christmas Market, the Medieval Mile Run, a fireworks display and plenty more. With an extended Christmas week programme the Kilkenny Christmas Market will be open throughout the week, along with live music on the Yulefest Bandstand and some very special treats that you won’t want to miss.”

Full details available on yulefestkilkenny.ie.