Connect with us

News

Exciting developments at Killarney’s oldest music and dance school

Published

on

&

 

By Michelle Crean

For 30 years it’s been at the heart of the community and now one of Killarney’s oldest music and dance schools has some exciting developments coming this September.

Kerry School of Music (KSM) originally opened a dance school in Áras Pádraig in 1988, adding music classes in 1989. When that closed to facilitate transfer of ownership to Killarney Town Council, the school moved to Holy Cross Mercy Primary School on New Road where they have been ever since. The dance classes later transferred to the Church of the Resurrection Parish Centre in Park Road.

Such is the demand for ballet and modern, tap and jazz classes that two teachers - Colette Maguire Jensen and Tara Dore - teach packed classes on Tuesdays after school and all day Saturdays.

Meanwhile back in Holy Cross there are many exciting developments coming this September, School of Music Director Aidan O’Carroll explained.

“Randal Devine, a recent and surprisingly young retiree from the National Symphony of Ireland who has taken up residence in Kerry, will teach violin, viola and cello in Killarney exclusively with the Kerry School of Music. A professional player in Ireland’s foremost orchestra for 30 years means that Randal will introduce a new standard to string teaching to Kerry.”

Joining Randal is Rachael Scoazec Lenihan, a talented multi-instrumentalist who among other things has a PhD from the Sorbonne in Paris and a Masters’ degree from Trinity. Rachel will teach Classical Guitar, Irish Harp, 4 and 5-String Banjo, Bouzouki and Ukulele at Holy Cross, he added.

“Killarney native Aisling O’Dwyer is also opening a practice in association with the Kerry School of Music teaching concert flute, Ebony (traditional) flute, tin whistle, clarinet and saxaphone at Holy Cross. Aisling has taught in association with the school in Tralee for many years.”

Katrina Galvin from Milltown, is a brilliant musical theatre performer who has just graduated with a first Honours BA in Dance from the University of Limerick World Music Centre. Katrina will teach a special pre-instrument course to four to seven-year-olds.

“A brilliant dancer and choreographer, she is also opening a junior and intermediate music theatre school and hopes to develop Killarney’s first ever hip hop and street dance troupe.”

Aidan, who is Choir Director at St Mary’s Cathedral since 2013, also teaches at Holy Cross.

Contact 087 4103220 or 066 7125690 for class details.

Advertisement

News

All eyes down as St Oliver’s hosts bumper bingo fundraiser

It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night. The event, which is being held […]

Published

on

It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night.

The event, which is being held to raise additional funds for the school’s Special Classes, will take place in the Killarney Racecourse in the Celtic Steps venue.

According to Colm Ó Súilleabháin, Principal of St Oliver’s, the idea for the fundraiser was the brainchild of Denise Hendey, a parent of one of the children in the Special Classes who approached the school wanting to assist with raising much-needed funds for the classes. “She has been utterly amazing with the amount of work and organisation she has put into this event, sourcing an incredible number of fantastic prizes for the raffle and spot prizes for the bingo winners” he said.
Continuing he said “We are so appreciative of the incredible support we have received from all the businesses who have sponsored some amazing prizes and made very generous donations in support of the event.”

St. Oliver’s has eight separate Special Classes, home to 62 children. All monies raised on the night will go towards purchasing additional resources for the classes.

The event will commence at 7pm with doors opening at 6pm. So be sure to come along to what is promised to be a fun-filled night with numerous opportunities to win some amazing prizes and hopefully if there is a ‘knock on the door’ or a ‘bang on the drum’ it will be on your bingo card!

Bingo books (€10) and raffle tickets (€5) are available to buy from the school office and will be available on the night. All welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Continue Reading

News

Milltown plan to preserve history in community project 

Published

on

By

The Milltown History and Heritage Society has announced plans for an oral history archive for the community.

It is hoped that the collection and preservation of stories and folklore will be a valuable resource for future generations.

Oral history expert and historian Dr Tomás Mac Conmara will speak in Milltown in support of the launch.

Dr Mac Conmara, who is an award-winning oral historian, lecturer and author, will speak at the Muintir na Tíre Hall in Milltown at 8pm on Friday, October 24 and will introduce the fundamentals for the collection of oral history.

The presentation is free of charge and is supported by funding from the Creative Communities Grant Scheme 2025.

Attendees will be introduced to the practical skills required in interviewing, recording and documenting local heritage.

Stewart Stephans of the Milltown History and Heritage Society said they are excited to have Tomás to set them on the right path towards the development of the archive.

He said: “The collection and retention of oral history needs to be approached properly, drawing on the right advice and maintaining high standards, so we are pleased to be getting the input of such a renowned expert.” The event is open to anyone who would like to attend.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport