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By Michelle Crean

A special COVID compliant concert will be live streamed online from St Mary's Cathedral next week. In a bid to lift people's spirits, a group of musicians and singers will come together - at a social distance and in compliance with COVID regulations - for ‘A night of songs and music to lift the spirit’.

It'll take place online only, live-streamed from Facebook on the 'Lillie & Jean Foley Music' page on Wednesday, February 24 at 8pm, and also live-streamed from the website for the Killarney Cathedral, www.killarneyparish.com. Singers Lillie and Jean Foley, pianist Noel O’Sullivan, and violinist Olwyn Trant will be featured. Words of welcome, comfort and reflection will be provided by Father Niall Howard.

Lillie and Jean are sisters that love music and sing

[caption id="attachment_36203" align="alignleft" width="188"] Olwyn Trant[/caption]

all genres from classical to musical theatre, R&B, Pop, Jazz and everything in between and are members of Killarney Musical Society. They have made a few TV performances down through the years including ‘BEO show’ for RTE 1, 'Realta agus Gaolta' and 'Junior Eurovision Live' on TG4. Both are Cantors with the choir in the Church of the Resurrection and are delighted to be joining Noel, a teacher in St Oliver's NS and plays the piano in local hotels and restaurants, and violist Olwyn, a local teacher in Holy Cross Mercy School. Olwyn has been a performer with the Killarney Musical Society and she also worked with Noel during the Teen Spirit shows a number of years ago.

Noel accompanied Lillie and Jean for the Dr Croke’s Mass which was live streamed from the St Mary’s Cathedral earlier this month.

Out of that event there was some enquires whether a concert could be put on to showcase the talent of the Foleys, as well as provide people with a much-needed lift during this challenging lockdown.

"We are delighted to bring some entertainment to people even if it is only virtually, and hopefully lift people's spirits," Lillie told the Killarney Advertiser. "I hope everyone will tune in, join us online and even sing along from the comfort of their own homes."

Jean added that "it will be an enjoyable evening, we hope to bring some happiness to people".

Fr. Niall has been very helpful in making this unique event happen, they added.

There is a unique connection between all the performers in this concert. Noel O’Sullivan’s father, also Noel O’Sullivan, Olwyn Trant’s grandfather, Jim Trant, and Lillie and Jean Foley’s grandfather Bryan O’Connor would have all worked together teaching in St Brendan’s College.