A host of heavenly choirs filled the Franciscan Friary with streaming light and music last Sunday night for the ‘Voices from the Friary’ charity concert.

The special musical evening was held to raise vital funds for St Francis Special School in Beaufort, with all proceeds from the night going directly toward supporting the school’s facilities and pupils.

The packed venue treated attendees to a varied programme of choral music, bridging both classical and contemporary genres. The performance featured the Kerry Concert Choir, who took to the altar alongside the talented musicians of the Kerry Scotia Ensemble.

The evening also included standout performances from renowned soprano and choir director Dr Sharon Lyons.

Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Heavenly choirs raise the roof at Friary charity concert

A host of heavenly choirs filled the Franciscan Friary with streaming light and music last Sunday night for the ‘Voices from the Friary’ charity concert.

The special musical evening was held to raise vital funds for St Francis Special School in Beaufort, with all proceeds from the night going directly toward supporting the school’s facilities and pupils.

The packed venue treated attendees to a varied programme of choral music, bridging both classical and contemporary genres. The performance featured the Kerry Concert Choir, who took to the altar alongside the talented musicians of the Kerry Scotia Ensemble.

The evening also included standout performances from renowned soprano and choir director Dr Sharon Lyons.

Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

The five-star Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Spa has unveiled a new suite of advanced treatment experiences, including specialised oncology training for therapists to support local patients undergoing cancer care.

Under the direction of newly appointed Spa Manager Lorna Jankovic, the team is undergoing dedicated training to safely adapt treatments for guests undergoing or recovering from cancer-related medical care.
The tailored therapies will focus on comfort, safety, and wellbeing, utilising gentle, modified massage techniques and relaxation-focused treatments based on each individual’s health stage.
“We see the future of luxury wellness as a balance between innovation and genuine human connection,” Jankovic said. “That means creating a space that feels truly inclusive and supportive, including for guests undergoing or recovering from cancer-related treatments. These experiences are designed to slow things down, allowing for stillness, care, and deeper restoration.”
Alongside the new cancer care provision, the spa has introduced two touch-free, immersive treatment beds designed to assist with physical renewal and stress relief.
The first new addition is the MLX i3Dome, a 30-minute non-contact treatment that combines far-infrared technology, plasma, and light therapy to support the body’s natural detoxification processes, skin health, and muscle relaxation.
The second addition is the Welnamis treatment bed, which uses acoustic vibration and binaural sound therapy through headphones. The system uses targeted audio frequencies to calm the nervous system, offering the benefits of mindfulness and deep relaxation for individuals experiencing high stress levels.
The thermal and technological additions can be booked as standalone 30-minute sessions or used to prepare the body ahead of standard hands-on therapies. Over the coming year, the team plans to continue developing bespoke therapies and expanding holistic wellness programming at the famous venue.