Killarney publicans are applying for special early opening times on Sunday morning, for the first time, as the town prepares to welcome 100,000 visitors in what is expected to be one of the busiest weekends of the year.

 The early exemption is to facilitate the Munster football final between Clare and Kerry minors and Cork and Kerry seniors at Fitzgerald’s stadium. Killarney’s bonanza game comes as the Pairc Uí Chaoimh reopening was postponed two weeks ago.

 The town is also hosting the county’s biggest single one-day fundraising charity event, the 34th Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle.

Ten thousand cyclists will set out on Saturday from Killarney around the 180km Ring of Kerry.

 

Around 50 pubs are involved in today’s vintners’ application at Killarney District Court to allow them open from 10am on Sunday instead of 12.30. Gardaí are not expected to object.

 

Five to six late-night venues are also seeking special late night exemptions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

 

Gardaí expect at least 30,000 people for the match alone and say thousands will also come to Killarney to accompany the cyclists. At least 100,000 people will pass through the town this weekend.