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Ava is Rotary Young Musician of the Year

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An incredibly talented young pianist from Dingle struck a chord with classical music fans in Killarney at the weekend as Ava Duffy was crowned Killarney Rotary Young Musician of the Year for 2018.

The 18th annual competition unfolded over two days in the Kerry Diocesan Youth Service centre at Fairhill on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th and an extraordinarily entertaining concert in the INEC Acoustic Club proved a fitting finale. The MC on the night was Grace Foley, former winner of the competition in 2004, and the adjudicators were Dr Alberth Bradshaw and Linda Byrne.

“Patrons and guests were treated to an amazing display of talent, with voice, violin and piano fighting it out in a classical music version of Battle of The Bands,” said Killarney Rotary member Angela O’Connor.

Of course, there had to be a winner and Ava Duffy’s virtuoso performance held the judges and audience spellbound. Talented violinist Clodagh Gaynor won second prize, with vocalist Catriona Fitzmaurice being presented with the award for third place. The runners-up were Katarina Roberts and Laura Hynes.

The James Gleeson Memorial Trophy for most promising pianist went to Mara Treacy while most promising for string went to Jan O’Sullivan. Most promising for woodwind went to Odhran O’Reilly and most promising voice was awarded to Tess Dowling. The awards were presented on the night by Grace O’Neill Gleeson.

There were performances on the night by Grace Foley, Harry O’Connor and Kieran Foley, all previous winners of the Young Musician of the Year.

Killarney Rotary member Angela welcomed Killarney Advertiser as media partner and sponsor again this year. "If we in Killarney Rotary Club through our Young Musician competition foster in our young competitors a love of music then as far as we are concerned the competition will have been a success. I would like to thank our members Barry Murphy and Seán Treacy for their foresight in setting up this competition 18 years ago."

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Killarney for Palestine film screening

Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz. The event, which […]

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Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz.

The event, which took place on July 3, included two screenings, both of which were fully booked. Guests enjoyed cheese and wine before the shows.
‘No Other Land’ depicts the ongoing destruction in Masafer Yatta, a cluster of villages in the Southern West Bank, and shows the experiences of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The film won in the Best Documentary category at this year’s Academy Awards.
The screenings were organised in association with the West End School of Arts.
All proceeds from the €25 tickets benefited Camp Breakerz Crew, a children’s charity based in Gaza that provides creative outlets through dance and is involved in food distribution programs in Nuseirat Camp and Deir-Al-Balah due to food shortages.
Sally MacMonagle, who recently spent time in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, also spoke at one of the screenings.

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Bid to host European Presidency summit meetings gathers pace

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026. Deputy Cahill […]

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Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026.

Deputy Cahill believes Kerry’s available accommodation, food, and conference facilities are “second to none,” with Killarney as the central location.
“Visitors from every corner of the earth have been coming to Kerry for centuries now, to experience its beauty and serenity and have returned on many occasions because of the fabulous time they have enjoyed during their stay here,” said Deputy Cahill. “Where else would you want to bring the senior Government Ministers of all of our EU counterpart states, to experience Ireland, its customs and heritage?”
The Rossbeigh TD outlined various attractions available for visitors during downtime: “During their downtime, they can visit the Blaskets and Slea Head, Sceilg Mhichíl and the Ring of Kerry, Killarney’s Lakes, Gap of Dunloe, National Park and Sliabh Luachra, all of our glorious beaches from Ballybunion to Rossbeigh, Kells to Ventry, Whitestrand to Inch, Ballinskelligs to Cromane, Waterville to Derrynane.” He also cited Kerry’s golf courses, Listowel Writers Week, the Rose of Tralee, and Puck Fair as potential experiences.
Deputy Cahill confirmed he has raised this matter with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris; and Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne.
“If Killarney’s bid is successful in bringing the Heads of State to our county for meetings, conferences and functions, it will be a massive boost to the local economy in Killarney and also throughout the county,” added Cahill.”Iwill continue to push in the coming months for Killarney and Kerry to be included as bases for the rounds of meetings that are to take place from July 1 to December 312026.”

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