By Michelle Crean  

There was plenty of magical moments during Friday's Culture Night across the county including some special performances in Killarney.

Cormac Begley master concertina player playing music during Culture Night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

The Hickey family Ray Mary Jack and Hollie pictured at Muckross School House for Culture Night on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Nora Hallissey (left) and Mary Jo Curran pictured at Muckross School House for Culture Night on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Liam Ó Maonlaí multi-instrumentalist and vocalist of Hothouse Flowers fame in action during Culture Night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Cormac Begley master concertina player from West Kerry combined with Liam Ó Maonlaí multi-instrumentalist and vocalist of Hothouse Flowers fame pictured with staff of Muckross School House and Traditional Farms Joan O'Connor Ann Fleming and Aoife O'Sullivan. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Cormac Begley master concertina player from West Kerry combined with Liam Ó Maonlaí multi-instrumentalist and vocalist of Hothouse Flowers fame came together for an evening of Irish culture at Muckross School House pictured with Brendan Kelliher and Fiona O'Donoghue. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Cormac Begley master concertina player combined with Liam Ó Maonlaí multi-instrumentalist and vocalist of Hothouse Flowers fame at Muckross School House chatting with fellow musician Colm Ó Súilleabháin at the Culture Night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Sean De Buitlear and Alex Pott at Muckross School House celebrating the 17th Culture Night on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Toddy Doyle (Manager Muckross Traditional Farms) pictured at Muckross School House with Cormac Begley and Liam Ó Maonlaí (Hothouse Flowers) for an evening of Irish culture at Culture Night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Liam Ó Maonlaí multi-instrumentalist and vocalist of Hothouse Flowers fame in action during Culture Night. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

It was music to their ears in Muckross School House as Liam Ó Maonlaí, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist of Hothouse Flowers fame, came together for a sell-out performance with West Kerry's master concertina player Cormac Begley.

Children and their parents had some fun as Guido Fanzini’s 'Impossible Circus' entertained the crowd at Killarney House and Gardens. ANAM Cultural Centre hosted an evening of painting, music and dance while​​​​​​AfroTrad played in St Mary’s Church of Ireland.

There was a wonderful evening of poetry hosted by poets Eileen Sheehan and John W Sexton at Government Buildings on New Road Killarney.

Meanwhile in Tureencahill and Listry communities came together for an evening of film, storytelling, heritage, song, and dance.

In total there were over 45 free events countywide including a new national focus on ‘Culture Night Late’ in Tralee, the very best of cinema with the Kerry International Film Festival, Tralee’s own Fanzinis brought us ‘Paradise Cabaret’ at the Greyhound Bar as well as ‘Firestorm’ at the Island of Geese.

Síamsa Tíre ran an eclectic programme of music, song and dance that enthralled.

Killorglin paid tribute to the late Pauline Bewick with a beautiful talk hosted by her daughter Poppy Melia, with exhibition tours by Helena Golden.

Killorglin District Pipe band travelled to Killarney to perform along Main Street for ‘Pipes on the Street’.

Dingle, Caherdaniel and Cahersiveen provided fabulous events as Gaeilge, with poetry, music, well-being and song.

Highlights included ‘A Dead Man’s Bell’, outdoor theatre and of course the Wren Boys in the Square, who ensured maximum atmosphere.

Kerry County Council’s Arts Office, supported by the Arts Council and the Local Live Performance Scheme 4, and Creative Ireland, helped to co-ordinate the events, which were very well attended.

"Kerry has so much to offer in terms of culture and creativity, another reason we are lucky to live here," Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr John Flynn, said.

Audiences were delighted to see so many in-person events and all ages came out to support and enjoy the evening.

"Culture Night reflects our lives and the creativity across our beautiful county," Arts Officer, Kate Kennelly, added.

"We want to thank all the artists, organisers and creative people who put on such wonderful events this year, these people are part of the soul of the county."