FRUSTRATION: Professional musicians Sam and Ina White, pictured with their sons Charlie and Jack, at The Demense, where locals gathered to display their frustration at the lack of Government support for the live music and arts industry. Photo: Sally MacMonagle.

By Michelle Crean

The latest easing of restrictions has frustrated an industry who are now calling on Fáilte Ireland and the Government not to leave them behind.

Up to 150 from the music industry - who have been out of work for over 430 days - gathered at The Demense on Wednesday evening to voice their frustration over a "blanket ban" for live music.

Under the most recent Fáilte Ireland guidelines, pubs, restaurants, hotels and weddings won't be allowed to have live music.

Those that gathered included musicians, singers, lighting technicians, pub and hotel owners who say they are left devastated that there's no clear steps forward for them as the country begins to slowly reopen.

And with a change in PUP payments coming down the line, they are now calling on the Government and Fáilte Ireland to show them support by giving them a clear plan forward.

Professional full-time musician Ina White, who sings with her husband Sam and also five-piece band 'The Small Hours', organised the socially distanced gathering.

"Fáilte Ireland have a blanket ban that there's to be no live music and the gathering was to highlight the lack of support the industry feels," she told the Killarney Advertiser.

"The industry is frustrated with the opening up plan by the Government. All they want to do is to go back to work. Structures will have to be put in place to help the industry get back on its feet."

The mother-of-three from Glenflesk, who was gigging six night's a week locally before COVID hit, explained that those in the industry, including herself, are not calling for music to be allowed in venues right away, but for a clear plan to be formed.

"Understandably the science behind no indoor live music for now until there is more of a vaccine rollout as safety is a priority, but with no proper clarity and with announcements changing every day musicians are crying out to be heard and listened to. There's no support at all."

She explained that Killarney is a very popular tourist town with hundreds of musicians.

"Music is one of those things that draws tourists to Ireland. It's all well and good doing large tester events and that's fantastic to see progress but this doesn't help the self employed one and two piece groups and small bands that play in local pubs and venues countrywide. The gathering was to highlight the lack of support the industry feels. With the PUP being phased out towards the end of the year and not a gig in sight we are looking at yet another season passing us by. Music has always been part of our culture and moving forward out of this pandemic we want to be able to sing and play again and not be left behind."