There was a great buzz around ANAM Cultural Centre in Killarney on Friday night as the final of the first-ever Battle of the Bands took place. After a high-energy evening of music, the Shane Doolan Band were named overall winners.

The final saw two local acts face off in front of a packed crowd. First up were Luaghmhar, who impressed with lively reels and a powerful version of their original song “Killeagh Kingfisher.” The Shane Doolan Band followed with a mix of original songs and crowd-pleasing covers, including a standout version of “Piano Man” that had the audience singing along.
The judges, Jessica Plunkett of the Westend School of the Arts and Deirdre Johnson of Music Generation Kerry, praised both acts for their talent and stage presence. In the end, they awarded the top prize to the Shane Doolan Band.
As part of their prize, the winning band will now receive a one-on-one mentoring session with Killarney’s own Cathal Flaherty, a well-known musician and recording artist.
This was the first time the Battle of the Bands event was held at ANAM, with two qualifying nights earlier in July. The heats saw a wide range of acts including Aftereye, Dylan Shortt, Teorainn, and Sons of Boru. Organisers say the event showed just how much talent there is locally.
Kerry County Arts Officer Kate Kennelly attended the final and said: “This was a fantastic celebration of local musical talent. Both bands delivered exceptional performances that truly showcased the vibrant music scene we have here in Kerry. Congratulations to Shane Doolan Band on their well-deserved victory, and well done to all involved in making this such a memorable evening.”
Deirdre Johnson added: “It was a pleasure to judge the Battle of the Bands and see young musicians enjoying themselves and performing with their friends. It’s great to see so much music-making happening here in Kerry.”
The event was hosted by Michelle Rosney and ANAM was turned into an outdoor venue for the night, adding to the atmosphere and making it one to remember for everyone who attended.