World champion Irish musicians and dancers put on quite a show at the weekend with a spectacular line-up of high energy jigs and reels for the people of Ukraine.

SHOWTIME: Enjoying the Celtic Steps The Show on Friday night were: David Rea (Celtic Steps The Show) Jennifer Rea Natalya Krasnenkova George Saary Sean Murphy (Celtic Steps The Show) Aine O’Donoghue (Director of Killarney Racecourse) and Gerard Coughlan (Chairman of Killarney Racecourse). Photos: Dylan Clifford

On Friday, Celtic Steps The Show welcomed over one hundred Ukrainian guests to their Irish music and dance show at Killarney Racecourse where they were introduced to the magic of Irish music and culture.

“For many months, we’ve all watched what’s been unfolding in the Ukraine with great sadness," Sean Murphy, co-producer of Celtic Steps, said.

"A couple of weeks ago, I met a Ukrainian woman and her child at the Innisfallen Hotel and it felt like the right time to extend the hand of hospitality. I invited them and the wider group to the show in the hope that the music might help raise their spirits.”

The Ukrainian group were collected from their place of residency at the Innisfallen Hotel courtesy of Flynn Coaches and transported to the racecourse, where they were welcomed by a sea of blue and yellow balloons at the entrance to the theatre. The highlight of the night was the performance of the Ukrainian National Anthem by the Celtic Steps musicians, who had taken the time earlier in the day to learn the piece.

“Celtic Steps The Show, thank you so much for the Ukrainian Anthem, we appreciate it a lot, we were in tears, Slava Ukraine!” Natalya Krasnenkova remarked.

David Rea, co-producer and narrator of the show, said on the night that they "are privileged to have some guests here tonight, who through no fault of their own ended up coming to Ireland".

"We are delighted to have you and we hope you have a nice time in Kerry for as long as you are here…this is a small tribute to you.”

George Saary who works at the Innisfallen Hotel in Killarney and who helped coordinate the event added “On behalf of the Ukrainian people, we want to thank you for your great welcome. Some of the group said they barely slept after experiencing the energy and excitement of the show and they all appreciated the love and care that was shown to them on the night.”