News
Gathering Festival celebrates 21st anniversary is style

Now in its 21st year, The Gathering Traditional Festival, showcased music song and dance over five days last week.

LAMENT: Johnny Óg Connolly performing ‘An Cosáin Draoichta' a tribute to his late father melodeon player Johnny Connolly. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Seán Ó Súilleabháin giving a rousing version of An Poc Ar Buile at The Gathering Festival at the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Mathona Morrissey a pupil at the Killarney School of Music Concert playing at The Gathering Irish Festival at the Gleneagle Hotel over the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Faye Griffin a pupil at the Killarney School of Music Concert playing at The Gathering Festival in the Gleneagle Hotel at the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Barry Fitzgerald a pupil at the Killarney School of Music who played at The Gathering Irish traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel Killarney at the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

SHARING TUNES: Musicians gather to share tunes at The Gathering Irish Traditional Festival in the Gleneagle Hotel at the weekend. From left: Damien Dalton Billy Joy Pat O'Leary and WIllie Moloney. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Seosaimhín Uí Chuilleanáin and Emma Ní Chuilleanáin at The Gathering Irish Festival at the Gleneagle Hotel. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Pupils of the Killarney School of Music Concert playing at The Gathering Irish traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel at the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

HUP: Sarah Pigott on her work experience at the Presentation Monastery National School taking part in the Traditional Gathering Festival Schools Outreach Music Programme. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

TUNING UP: Iarla Ó Lionáird and instrumentalist Steve Cooney tuning up a Shruti Box at The Gathering Irish Traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Katie Treyvaud a pupil at the Killarney School of Music Concert playing at The Gathering Irish traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Michael O'Connor a pupil of the Killarney School of Music Concert playing at The Gathering Festival at the Gleneagle Hotel. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

KEEPING THE BEAT: Traditional Irish musician and teacher Sheila O'Donoghue at the Killarney School of Music Concert at The Gathering Irish traditional music and dancing festival. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Siún Morrissey a pupil of the Killarney School of Music Concert playing at The Gathering Irish traditional music and dancing festival. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Presentation Monastery National School taking part in the Traditional Gathering Festival Schools Outreach Music Programme. Back row: musicians Bryan O'Leary Allana Callendrello Caroline Sprague Theresa Buckley (Killarney Credit Union Sponsors) Mary Brosnan (School Principal) and Tim O'Shea (Musician). Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

CONCERT: Renowned instrumentalist Steve Cooney in concert with traditional Irish singer and producer Iarla Ó Lionáird performing at The Gathering Irish Traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel Killarney at the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Jennifer Rea a pupil at the Killarney School of Music who played at The Gathering Irish traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel at the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

PERFORMING: Renowned artist traditional Irish singer and producer Iarla Ó Lionáird playing a Shruti Box with instrumentalist Steve Cooney performing at The Gathering Irish Traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel at the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Roisín O'Sullivan a pupil at the Killarney School of Music Concert playing at The Gathering Irish traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel.

Emma Quirke a pupil of the Killarney School of Music Concert playing at The Gathering Irish traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel at the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

THE MASTER: Padraig Buckley Director of the Killarney School of Music playing at a concert at The Gathering Festival at the Gleneagle Hotel over the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

SLEEPY HEAD: Colm Óg Ó'Suilleabháin pictured at the Killarney School of Music concert at the Gleneagle Hotel at the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

SESSION: Musicians gather to share tunes at The Gathering Irish Traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel at the weekend. From left: Colin Looney Adrian Looney Margaret Looney Noel Lucey and Imelda Kelleher. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

LAMENT: Johnny Óg Connolly performing ‘An Cosáin Draoichta' a tribute to his late father melodeon player Johnny Connolly. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Seán Ó Súilleabháin giving a rousing version of An Poc Ar Buile at The Gathering Festival at the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Mathona Morrissey a pupil at the Killarney School of Music Concert playing at The Gathering Irish Festival at the Gleneagle Hotel over the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Faye Griffin a pupil at the Killarney School of Music Concert playing at The Gathering Festival in the Gleneagle Hotel at the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Barry Fitzgerald a pupil at the Killarney School of Music who played at The Gathering Irish traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel Killarney at the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

SHARING TUNES: Musicians gather to share tunes at The Gathering Irish Traditional Festival in the Gleneagle Hotel at the weekend. From left: Damien Dalton Billy Joy Pat O'Leary and WIllie Moloney. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Seosaimhín Uí Chuilleanáin and Emma Ní Chuilleanáin at The Gathering Irish Festival at the Gleneagle Hotel. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Pupils of the Killarney School of Music Concert playing at The Gathering Irish traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel at the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

HUP: Sarah Pigott on her work experience at the Presentation Monastery National School taking part in the Traditional Gathering Festival Schools Outreach Music Programme. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

TUNING UP: Iarla Ó Lionáird and instrumentalist Steve Cooney tuning up a Shruti Box at The Gathering Irish Traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Katie Treyvaud a pupil at the Killarney School of Music Concert playing at The Gathering Irish traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Michael O'Connor a pupil of the Killarney School of Music Concert playing at The Gathering Festival at the Gleneagle Hotel. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

KEEPING THE BEAT: Traditional Irish musician and teacher Sheila O'Donoghue at the Killarney School of Music Concert at The Gathering Irish traditional music and dancing festival. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Siún Morrissey a pupil of the Killarney School of Music Concert playing at The Gathering Irish traditional music and dancing festival. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Presentation Monastery National School taking part in the Traditional Gathering Festival Schools Outreach Music Programme. Back row: musicians Bryan O'Leary Allana Callendrello Caroline Sprague Theresa Buckley (Killarney Credit Union Sponsors) Mary Brosnan (School Principal) and Tim O'Shea (Musician). Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

CONCERT: Renowned instrumentalist Steve Cooney in concert with traditional Irish singer and producer Iarla Ó Lionáird performing at The Gathering Irish Traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel Killarney at the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Jennifer Rea a pupil at the Killarney School of Music who played at The Gathering Irish traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel at the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

PERFORMING: Renowned artist traditional Irish singer and producer Iarla Ó Lionáird playing a Shruti Box with instrumentalist Steve Cooney performing at The Gathering Irish Traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel at the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Roisín O'Sullivan a pupil at the Killarney School of Music Concert playing at The Gathering Irish traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel.

Emma Quirke a pupil of the Killarney School of Music Concert playing at The Gathering Irish traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel at the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

THE MASTER: Padraig Buckley Director of the Killarney School of Music playing at a concert at The Gathering Festival at the Gleneagle Hotel over the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

SLEEPY HEAD: Colm Óg Ó'Suilleabháin pictured at the Killarney School of Music concert at the Gleneagle Hotel at the weekend. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

SESSION: Musicians gather to share tunes at The Gathering Irish Traditional music and dancing festival at the Gleneagle Hotel at the weekend. From left: Colin Looney Adrian Looney Margaret Looney Noel Lucey and Imelda Kelleher. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
Headquartered at the Gleneagle Hotel, the festival celebrated all that is good about Irish culture.
It kicked off on Wednesday (April 6) with the popular pilgrimage to Scartaglen for a céilí with local musician Neily O’Connor in Tom Fleming’s Bar.
This was followed by four nights of céilís - Thursday with Uí Bhriain Céilí Band, Friday with The Abbey Céilí Band, Saturday with Striolán Céilí Band and Sunday afternoon with the Johnny Reidy Céilí Band.
And while céilí enthusiasts stepped it out in The Gleneagle Ballroom, over in the INEC Club Irish music devotees enjoyed performances by Iarla Ó Lionáird and Steve Cooney; Danú; Jackie Daly, Matt Cranitch and Paul De Grae; Doireann Ní Ghlachain and Sarah Collins; Derek Hickey, McDara Faolain, Liam Flannigan and Jack Talty; and An Cosáin Draoichta.
A series of advanced music and dance workshops took place throughout the weekend including: guitar with Steve Cooney; accordion with Derek Hickey; singing with Róisín Ryan; melodeon with Johnny Óg Connolly; and set-dancing with Pádraig and Róisín McEneany.
Two albums were launched at the festival including Derek Hickey’s ‘Drehidtrasna’ and Seán Kelliher’s ‘3 on the bund’.
News
Start clocking up those ‘Kingdom Kilometres’
With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways. The recently opened […]

With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways.
The recently opened Kingdom of Kerry Greenways between Tralee and Fenit and between Listowel and Abbeyfeale are already proving hugely popular with locals and visitors to Kerry.
Representatives of the tourism Industry, local public representatives, travel writers and influencers gathered in Kerry on Monday to experience the exciting new tourist attractions and welcome the arrival of the longer daylight hours as the clocks changed over to summertime.
Sarah Hanrahan, a social media influencer who posts about Irish travel and has more than 100,000 Instagram followers, described the experience.
“Ireland has some of the most amazing outdoor spaces. For a lot of my followers and other people, connecting with green spaces has become much more important to their overall sense of well-being as well as their health and fitness. It’s been really gorgeous to experience the Tralee to Fenit, and Listowel to Limerick Kingdom of Kerry Greenways; a fantastic trip sampling the warm hospitality of Kerry and a great reminder of the active holiday options that are right on our doorstep.”
The new purpose-built trails provide an accessible and inclusive experience for visitors of all abilities.
Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy and the Mayor of Listowel, Cllr Aoife Thornton, said that the greenways offer an exceptional recreational amenity for everyone to enjoy.
“The greenways are situated in some of Kerry’s most scenic landscapes and offer spectacular and safe off-road facilities for people of all ages to enjoy as the landscape comes into bloom. They also offer warm hospitality at the trail head towns of each route.”
Visit www.kerrygreenways.ie to find out more.
News
St Patrick’s Day parade winners announced
Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club has won the sought-after overall award in recognition of their colourful and action-packed entry to this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney. Delighted […]

Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club has won the sought-after overall award in recognition of their colourful and action-packed entry to this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney.
Delighted club representatives were presented with the Seán O’Keeffe Perpetual Trophy – in memory of the former Mayor of Killarney and parade stalwart – at a gala presentation of prizes in the International Hotel, Killarney on Tuesday night.
The award for the Best Interpretation of the Theme, which was Killarney: Experience More, went to the Wander Wild Festival who received the Michael Courtney Perpetual Trophy which is dedicated to the memory of another former mayor of the town who spearheaded the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations for many years.
The John ‘Killer’ O’Callaghan Perpetual Trophy for the Best Sporting Entry was won by Killarney Athletic AFC and the Peter Irwin Memorial Trophy for the Best Marching Group and Cultural/Arts Entry went to Millstreet Pipe Band.
The Best Sports Club was Spa GAA, the Best Children’s Group prize was won by Kilcummin Comhaltas and the Best New Entry was Killarney Rugby Football Club.
There was an international flavour to the Best Musical Entry which was scooped by the Glenridge High School Marching Band from New Jersey.
The prize for the Best Voluntary Group went to the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club, the Best School Award went to the Fiona Crowley Stage School and the Best Activity Group was deemed to be Scorchers Cheerleading Club.
The Most Entertaining Entry went to the Killarney Tidy Towns group, the prize for the Most Original Entry was won by Liebherr Container Cranes and the Most Imaginative Entry in the parade was the Art House, Killarney.
The Most Stylish Entry prize was awarded to the Ukrainian community whose representative said they were delighted to play a part in Ireland’s national holiday and thanked the people of Killarney for the warm welcome they have received.
Other prizes presented on the night included the Best Window Display which went to Christy Healy’s on New Street who were celebrating 100 years in business on St Patrick’s Day, while the Europe Hotel and Resort won the Best Green-Themed Building prize.
The judges for the parade were Br Pat Lynch, Guardian, Franciscan Friary, Pam Brosnan, Killarney Musical Society and Denis McMahon.
The awards were presented by Killarney St Patrick’s Festival Chairman Paul Sherry, Mayor of Killarney Cllr Niall Kelleher, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Senior Executive Bridget O’Keeffe, and parade grand marshal Cathal P Walshe.
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