News
Killarney Celebrates culture night with a magical street spectacle
A captivating 10-foot street puppet of Peig Sayers, the renowned Irish writer and folklorist from the Blasket Islands, was a highlight of Culture Night activities in Killarney.
The puppet, - Aistear Pheig Mhór -, accompanied by gannets, naomhóga, and shoals of mackerel (all symbols of island life on the Blaskets), paraded through the streets, drawing crowds of young and old.
The spectacle was made possible thanks to the collaboration of 32 performers and West End House School of Acting.
Culture Night, a countywide celebration of arts, culture, and creativity, took place on September 20.
In Kerry, the Arts Office of Kerry County Council, co-funded by the Arts Council and Creative Ireland, coordinated over 50 free cultural events at 45 locations across the county. The favourable weather contributed to a lively atmosphere, ensuring record attendance for the diverse range of offerings, which included music, dance, storytelling, visual arts, historical talks, street spectacles, circus art, fashion, and theatre.
"Culture Night is a unique opportunity to celebrate and appreciate what Kerry has to offer in terms of arts, culture, and creativity," said. Kate Kennelly, Arts Officer for Kerry County Council. "I'd like to thank our artists, arts venues, community groups, and organizations that made this year's Culture Night so special."
The street spectacle featuring Peig Sayers was just one of the many highlights of Culture Night in Kerry.
In South Kerry theatre enthusiasts came in their droves to a storytelling theatre performance with a retelling of the notorious incident at Bahagh Workhouse near Caherciveen in the Irish Civil War in 1923 . The audience were also treated to music from local musicians.
In Tralee, students from MTU alongside other musicians and performers returned this year to Island of Geese to deliver another excellent event with Harmony through Diversity. Large crowds gathered at Island of Geese for performances starting with TIRC International choir and followed by MTU student performances that included spoken word, trad, classical and pop music, as well as traditional and popular dance. In the Square the crowds were thoroughly entertained with Trad Thrá Lí. Siamsa Tíre’s ‘Gach aon Seomra /Every room in the House’ opened its doors to the public with an eclectic mix of music, song and dance, while record numbers visited the Kerry County Museum for Living History in the Medieval Experience, behind the scenes tours and an origami display by Rebecca Lyons.
The Fanzini Brother’s enthralled the crowds in Dingle with a Deoraí, the Wanderer, featuring a solo performer on fire creating a spectacular show for all who gathered.
North Kerry’s rich cultural heritage was also represented and celebrated in Listowel with Theatre of the Hearthstone. Listowel Square was transformed into a lively festival ‘theatre’ with storytellers, energetic drum and dance which got the crowd moving and ended the night with the spectacular Rogu Mobius fire show.
Killarney to elect new Mayor on Monday morning
Killarney will have a new mayor by Monday morning as the annual general meetings for the local municipal districts and Kerry County Council take place on Monday.
The Killarney Municipal District AGM is scheduled for 10.00am in the Council Chamber, followed by the full Kerry County Council annual meeting at 12.30pm. The sole business to be conducted at these sessions is the election of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Cathaoirleach, and Leas-Cathaoirleach.
This transition marks the third year of the current council cycle since the local elections in the summer of 2024, following Councillor Maura Healy-Rae’s term in year one and Councillor Martin Grady’s recently completed term.
Grady described his year in the chair as a memorable honour. The term carried personal significance for Grady, following a family tradition in the role previously held by his grandfather John Grady in 1972, his father Donal Grady in 2010, and his uncle Seán Grady on five separate occasions.
Reflecting on the past 12 months, Grady highlighted key council decisions and district developments, including the retention of
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