AMANO to headline LASTA Festival finale

Killarney’s acclaimed bilingual singer, songwriter, and sean-nós artist AMANO is set to close out this year’s LASTA Young Curator’s Festival with a special headline concert at Siamsa Tíre on Sunday, October 4.

Currently completing a residency abroad ahead of her autumn Irish tour, the local musician will take the stage at 7pm. Her roots span both Kerry and Kyūshū, Japan, bringing a unique blend of traditional Irish sean-nós, contemporary folk, pop, and electronic influences to her live performances.
Joined on stage by a band featuring established artists Brian Dillon, Dale McKay, and Danny Groenland, AMANO’s set promises a journey through traditional Irish song, ranging from haunting lullabies and raucous slip jigs to tales of love and pathos.
The performance marks the grand finale of the four-day LASTA Festival, which runs from 1–4 October at Siamsa Tíre in Tralee. The festival programme has been curated by two young Kerry visionaries, Antonia Gergely and Neil Moore Ryan, as part of a national initiative celebrating emerging creative talent.
Speaking on the line-up, Young Curators Antonia and Neil noted that their programme aims to celebrate modern cultural influences, including the resurgence of the Irish language, self-reflection, and standout local talent.
Full programme details and ticket booking for AMANO’s closing concert are available at siamsatire.com.

Solas and Pig’s Lane one-off culinary event

Two of Kerry’s top names in food and drink, Solas Dingle and Killarney’s Pig’s Lane, are joining forces for a one-off culinary event on Friday, September 11.

For one night only, the award-winning subterranean bar Pig’s Lane will host a special evening where Solas’ Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded tapas dishes are paired with bespoke cocktails created by the Pig’s Lane mixology team.
The menu blends Spanish small-plate traditions with local Irish ingredients, including organic produce grown by Solas. Featured dishes include devilled hen’s egg with smoked trout caviar, Queen scallop ceviche, Annascaul pork belly, and a white chocolate and cardamom dessert.
Solas, run by Nicky and Ann Foley, has gained national acclaim for its seasonal sourcing and refined cooking. Pig’s Lane, founded by Gemma Ring, is renowned for its inventive drinks menu and recently earned a 1 PIN rating from The Pinnacle Guide.
Nicky Foley of Solas said:
“We’ve always believed in creating food that’s full of flavour, energy and a real sense of place, so to bring Solas to Pig’s Lane for a night like this is incredibly exciting. There’s a natural synergy between what we do in the kitchen and what the Pig’s Lane team are doing. It’s all about balance, creativity, and giving people an experience they won’t forget.”
Gemma Ring, Pig’s Lane Founder added:
“We’ve admired what Nicky and Ann have built at Solas for a long time. Their commitment to exceptional Irish produce and fearless approach to flavour mirrors everything we strive for behind the bar. For this collaboration, we’ve approached each course as a conversation between the kitchen and the cocktail, creating pairings that surprise, complement and amplify one another. We want guests to leave having experienced something they simply couldn’t get anywhere else.”
Sittings start from 7pm, with tickets priced at €85 per person.