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Liam O’Connor to hit the highest notes in Alpine concert

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Killarney musician Liam O'Connor and his family band are to hit the Italian Alps bringing their brand of high tempo Irish music and dance to an Italian audience in the unique surrounds of a 14th century mountaintop castle overlooking the town of Verrès in northwestern Italy.

In the shadows of some of Italy’s highest peaks like Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc) and Cervino (the Matterhorn), Liam is certain to be hitting the high notes with two concerts in the Castello di Verrès, which will take place on the 15th and 16th of February, thanks to grant funding received from Culture Ireland and a growing connection between the towns of Verrès and Killarney.

The concerts are the centrepiece events in this year's 77th rendition of the Alpine town’s medieval Carnevale celebrations and an Irish delegation led by Verrès native and long-time Killarney resident Davide Mosca and Killarney Chambers and Killarney Celtic's Paul Sherry will be among the guests of honour.

Verrès hosted a visit by Killarney Celtic teams in 2023 and reciprocated with brilliant colour and sounds in their medieval costumes at the St. Patricks Day parade in Killarney in 2024.

The town then hosted an Erasmus+ Youth exchange from Celtic in 2025 and they are bringing their Carnevale pageantry back to Killarney for the St. Patrick's Day festival in March.

Carnevale supremo Tiziana Balma is delighted with the deepening cultural, sporting and economic relationship between the Alpine town and Killarney.

"Liams concerts are going to add a new layer in the relationship between our two communities. The whole Aosta Valley (province) is excited, and we are also looking forward to joining in Killarney’s St. Patricks Day parade"

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Camera Club announces monthly competition winners

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Maryann Heidtke has claimed top honours in this month’s Killarney Camera Club competition, winning both the Novice and Unrestricted categories.

Her winning photograph, titled ‘The Shoemaker’, was taken in a narrow alleyway in the medina of Marrakesh.

The image is an environmental portrait featuring an elderly shoemaker in his small workshop.

The subject is surrounded by rows of handcrafted leather shoes and bags in various colours, capturing a sense of his daily craft and routine

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Friary Folk Group release new charity CD for Comfort for Chemo

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The Friary Folk Group has announced the release of their fourth charity CD, titled “Reflections,” featuring a collection of liturgical and contemporary songs.

The group has been a fixture in Killarney for almost 40 years and has raised approximately €30,000 for local charities through previous recordings.

All proceeds from this latest album will go to Comfort for Chemo, a charity supporting services for patients undergoing cancer treatment.

Recorded at Sonas Studios with engineer Tony O’Flaherty, the album includes sacred and modern pieces that reflect the group’s long history.

Group Coordinator Derek O’Leary said the choice of charity is a personal one for many involved.

“The Friary Folk Group has always been about more than music — it’s about people, community, and shared experience,” Mr O’Leary said. “Many of our members have faced their own cancer journeys, either personally or alongside loved ones, so supporting Comfort for Chemo is deeply meaningful to us.”

He also acknowledged the ongoing support from the local Franciscan community.

“We are incredibly grateful for the continued encouragement and support of Br. Pat and the Franciscan Community here in Killarney. Their presence has been central to our journey from the very beginning.”

“Reflections” is currently available to purchase at the Friary Bookshop in Killarney. It can also be downloaded via BandCamp. For further information, contact Derek O’Leary at 087 2662395.

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