By Sean Moriarty

Liam O’Connor has described his first concert in St Mary’s Cathedral as "one of the most special local concerts” of his career.

Liam and his musical family took his ninth annual St Brendan’s College Christmas event into the cathedral for the first time on Wednesday night.

They were joined on stage by Moya Brennan of Clannad as well as her musical family, and were backed up by 35 music students from St Brendan’s.

“It was one of the most special concerts of my career," he told the Killarney Advertiser.

"St Brendan’s concerts are always special but this was inside the cathedral. It was one of my most memorable nights in Killarney, the sound, the lighting, we had a crew of 25 working in there, it was incredible.”

Legendary Galway hurler Joe Canning was the guest of honour.

“He gave a fantastic speech,” Liam added. “It was all about leadership, don’t give up and most of all listen.”

Both Brennan and Canning were presented with ‘Clann Bhreanainn’ medals by St Brendan’s principal Sean Coffey as a memento to the occasion.

Liam thanked Bishop Ray Browne and Fr Kieran O'Brien for allowing the use of St Mary’s.

“It was a special occasion for Bishop Ray, he got to meet Moya for the first time,” he added. “He went to school with her brother!”