Connect with us

News

Free Spraoi Chiarraí live concerts taking place this summer

Published

on

0232831_Spraoi_Chiarrai_Group.jpg

The first of the summer's free Spraoi Chiarraí concerts starts tomorrow (Saturday) at St Mary’s Church of Ireland.

.

This Kerry based youth, Irish Folk and Traditional Music, song and dance, storytelling, mentorship, performance collective, presents the finest of young local talent offering them valuable rare exposure and experience, in two historic, high profile, concert settings. They have had great success over the last 17 summers.

Dates for the summer after tomorrow's 8pm performance include July 23, August 6 at 8pm, August 13 at 2pm, and August 24 and 27 at 8pm.

At the end of August, a concert will feature sisters Noleen and Grace Angland (Glenflesk) who start off with flute, fiddle and piano. Their mom is well known fiddler Martina O’Neill.

They will be joined by Tim O’Shea Director/Producer, himself a professional folk musician for decades. Two of the concerts are outdoor at the stunning Killarney House and Gardens.

Open to all, this family entertainment is sponsored this year by the Kerry County Council Arts Office Arts and Community Support Funds, Killarney Chamber of Commerce who made it possible and offer increased support and promotion, Kerry Gems Publishing (Advert Sponsor).

"There are four evenings “In Concert” at St Mary’s Church of Ireland opposite the Town Hall, one open air concert "round the house” for the third time at Killarney House opposite the cinema," Tim said.

"The concerts feature fiddle, Irish harp, accordion, flute and whistle, Irish Uilleann Pipes, guitar, harmonica, Bodhrán and vocals as well as Irish dancing and storytelling outdoors.

"All indoor concerts are at 8pm and outdoor performances are at 2pm."

This year the group have also been asked to perform again at Puck Fair in August.

"All shows are free so come along, families welcome. The aims of Spraoi ChiarraÍ are to showcase our local young Irish traditional talent, to mentor and provide a platform for young performers to experience a real concert in a high profile setting, to hone their performance skills and work in a team with a sense of ownership of the performance, to celebrate local traditional performance culture of the South West of Ireland, to offer a free, quality, family, cultural experience for locals and visitors to Killarney over the summer months and to open up new, quality venues in Kerry, for Irish traditional performance.

"Our “in concert" indoor show features a three piece traditional band," he said.

"Our “round the house” outdoor show features a three piece band, eight young set dancers and a live storyteller (Seanchai). Be sure to catch our finest traditional performers for free. Hope to see you there."

"We thank our sponsors, Kerry County Council Arts and Community Office, Kerry Gems and Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, St Mary’s Church of Ireland, and Killarney House & Gardens."

Advertisement

News

Mamma Mia! screening draws crowds

Published

on

Mamma Mia! screening draws crowds


The grounds of Killarney House and Gardens were transformed into an outdoor cinema as part of the new Summer in Killarney Festival.


A spell of fine weather provided ideal conditions for the open-air screening of Mamma Mia!, hosted in the National Park venue. Attendees gathered on the lawns ahead of the main feature, with a warm-up set supplied by a SPIN South West DJ.
Organised by the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce with support from Fáilte Ireland, Kerry County Council, the NPWS, and Heineken, the event formed part of a month-long summer festival programme designed for locals and visitors alike.
Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Continue Reading

News

Castlelough Bay hosts County Championship Regatta

Published

on

Castlelough Bay hosts County Championship Regatta


Castlelough Bay on Lough Leane played host to the first County Championship Regatta of the year on Sunday, July 19.


Mayor of Killarney John O’Donoghue opened the event, welcoming Kerry clubs—including local sides Fossa, Workmen, and St. Brendan’s—and noting the long-standing rowing tradition supported by host club Flesk Valley for over a century.
Now in its fourth year, the regatta serves as the first of two qualifying events for the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships, set to take place in Bantry from August 14 to 16.
Flesk Valley Chairman John Fleming commended the strong turnout, thanking club members, supporters, and the Kerry Coastal Rowing Association, led by Mary B Teahan, Johanna King, and Máire Twiss. He also acknowledged the assistance of the Killarney Order of Malta, Fossa Rowing Club, the NPWS, and local sponsors Killarney Credit Union, Leanes Tool Hire, and Hegarty’s of Castlelough.
Kerry clubs now turn their attention to Valentia Island for the second county championship regatta this Saturday, July 25.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport