News
Acclaimed actor and singer to take centre stage in Killarney for Raheen National School
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ONE of Kerry's most talented thespians and an internationally renowned singer are to join forces for a special night of entertainment on February 3 to help raise funds for Raheen National School as well as to purchase a defibrillator for the local community.
Actor Donal Courtney will give a performance of God Has No Country, his one-man show on the life of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, while former Lord of the Dance lead singer and TV voice coach Elaine Canning will also perform on the night.
The one-off fundraiser will be held at the Celtic Steps Arena, located at Killarney Racecourse, and tickets are already on sale at just €10.
Raheen National School holds a number of annual fundraisers and this year want to go one step further and hope to install a defibrillator in the local school that will be available for all of the local community.
The 42-pupil school is one of the many progressive schools in East Kerry. But like so many primary schools, it is dependent on school staff, parents council and the local community to help fundraise every year so that children get to benefit from the many school services made available.
The parents council chairman, Eugene Bowler, said: "We are so delighted to have both Donal and Elaine performing at the racecourse venue. Both are supremely talented professionals
"Our hope now is that we will pack the venue and raise funds for the school and for the defibrillator which we know will serve as a massive asset to the community and could save lives.”
God Has No Courtney has returned for an additional run at the Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin and the one-man show, written and performed by the Killarney actor, is a powerful telling of O'Flaherty's story and his exploits in Rome during World War 11.
Elaine Canning has performed at venues all over the world, including Croke Park on All-Ireland Final day where she was the first female soloist to sing the National Anthem in front of over 80,000.
She has also featured as the Vocal Expert on TG4 Junior Eurovision Song Contest and as Vocal Coach on The Voice Of Ireland.
Joining Elaine on the night will be the Glenflesk Male Choir, the Raheen School Choir and the Clonkeen Teen Choir.
Tickets for the event, which starts at 8pm, are just €10 and are on sale at numerous outlets or by calling 087-2339725.
Above: Killarney actor Donie Courtney as Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty performing his own play God Has No Country.
PICTURE: DON MACMONAGLE