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An incredibly talented young pianist from Dingle struck a chord with classical music fans in Killarney at the weekend as Ava Duffy was crowned Killarney Rotary Young Musician of the Year for 2018.

The 18th annual competition unfolded over two days in the Kerry Diocesan Youth Service centre at Fairhill on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th and an extraordinarily entertaining concert in the INEC Acoustic Club proved a fitting finale. The MC on the night was Grace Foley, former winner of the competition in 2004, and the adjudicators were Dr Alberth Bradshaw and Linda Byrne.

“Patrons and guests were treated to an amazing display of talent, with voice, violin and piano fighting it out in a classical music version of Battle of The Bands,” said Killarney Rotary member Angela O’Connor.

Of course, there had to be a winner and Ava Duffy’s virtuoso performance held the judges and audience spellbound. Talented violinist Clodagh Gaynor won second prize, with vocalist Catriona Fitzmaurice being presented with the award for third place. The runners-up were Katarina Roberts and Laura Hynes.

The James Gleeson Memorial Trophy for most promising pianist went to Mara Treacy while most promising for string went to Jan O’Sullivan. Most promising for woodwind went to Odhran O’Reilly and most promising voice was awarded to Tess Dowling. The awards were presented on the night by Grace O’Neill Gleeson.

There were performances on the night by Grace Foley, Harry O’Connor and Kieran Foley, all previous winners of the Young Musician of the Year.

Killarney Rotary member Angela welcomed Killarney Advertiser as media partner and sponsor again this year. "If we in Killarney Rotary Club through our Young Musician competition foster in our young competitors a love of music then as far as we are concerned the competition will have been a success. I would like to thank our members Barry Murphy and Seán Treacy for their foresight in setting up this competition 18 years ago."