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Killarney boys storm the internet with Irish music video
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Young Killarney students have made the Irish language cool again - as their music video stormed across the internet this week – with almost 350,000 views.
The boys, Transition Year students from St Brendan's College Killarney - The Sem, were amazed at the hugely positive reaction – as their version of British Grime artistStormzy’s ‘Shut Up’ went viral.
Filmed at the school just before the midterm break - the boys took on the style of Stormzy’s own video – which received 81 million views on YouTube earlier this year. The rapper also won Best Grime Act at the 2014 and 2015 MOBO Awards and was named as an artist to look out for in the BBC's influential Sound of 2015 list.
Now all they’re hoping for is that the top music rapper will see it and get in touch, music teacher Niamh O’Connell explained.
“We just need Stormzy to see it now,” Niamh told The Killarney Advertiser this week.
“It would be brilliant if Stormzy acknowledged it.”
The video came about after Irish teacher Jamie Mac Giolla Bhríde came up with the idea of entering the boys into Irish schools competition Ghaelfíseáin do Bliain na Gaeilge 2018.
The idea was to help them to learn Irish in a fun and unconventional way to make the subject interesting, Jamie added.
“I was looking for something to do for Irish class to promote the language,” Jamie said.
“I saw the competition and the boys picked the song. I then translated the song with them.”
Niamh added that the students had plenty of input including choosing words relevant to them in the song – for example changing Mobo Award to Gaisce Award.
They recorded the song in the school’s chapel over two days, then filmed it outside, and edited the final version together.
“They had to be clear, audible, and the rhythm of the song had to be right. The boys are very happy with it. We then put it online and the views exploded. We knew it was good but we didn’t expect such a positive reaction.”
FESTIVAL HIT: Local accordion virtuoso Liam O’Connor pictured performing alongside his family band members, daughter Saoirse on vocals and keyboards, and sons Oisín on guitar and Cillian on drums, during their high-energy set on the Salty Dog Stage at Electric Picnic in Stradbally last weekend. Photos: Paul Dargan
Camera Club exhibition opens at Killarney House
Killarney Camera Club’s 25th anniversary exhibition is open to the public at Killarney House until Sunday, October 4.
Mayor of Killarney Councillor John O’Donoghue officially opened the event, which features a wide range of work from local photographers capturing landscapes, people, and moments from home and abroad.
Speaking at the opening, Mayor O’Donoghue highlighted the rich natural surroundings available to local photographers. “We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the world, with dramatic mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, and a vibrant town centre, as well as beaches and open sea just a short distance away,” he said.
In a lighthearted admission, the Mayor admitted to storing hundreds of photos on his phone, adding that seeing the standard of work on display inspired him “to finally print some of my own photographs for posterity.”
The club was founded in 2001 as the Photographic Society of Killarney at the Park Place Hotel before adopting its current name in 2006. Founding member Seamus Long recalled starting with just eight members, contrasting it with today’s membership of over 30 photographers who meet at the ANAM Arts and Cultural Centre.
“There is nothing better than seeing your images in print, mounted and framed and hanging on a wall,” Mr Long said, referencing the club’s shift from traditional darkrooms to modern digital photography.
To mark the anniversary, the club has published a commemorative booklet featuring 25 select images from members past and present. The limited-edition booklet is available at Eason’s and directly from the club.
The exhibition runs daily at Killarney House until October 4. Admission is free and all are welcome.
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