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KILLARNEY ROTARY CLUB was hitting all the right notes this afternoon in advance of its 16th Young Musician of the Year competition and concert.
The event, held in association with Killarney Advertiser, offers rising stars of the musical world an unrivalled opportunity to showcase their talents.
The contest takes place in the Kerry Diocesan Youth Service centre, Fair Hill, Killarney, on Friday, March 4, and Saturday, March 5, with the final-night concert being staged in the nearby Franciscan Friary on Saturday, March 5, at 8pm.
“As always the event is proving hugely popular and we have had approximately 150 entries this year,” said Killarney Rotary President John O’Sullivan at the launch in The Malton today. “Everyone is welcome to the concert in the Franciscan Friary on Saturday, March 5.”
The Killarney Rotary Young Musician of the Year competition has contributed hugely to raising the standards of classical music performance in the county over the years, said organiser Sean Treacy of Killarney Rotary Club. “The objective of the competition is to create a forum for schoolgoing musicians of all standards to perform in public in their chosen discipline,” said Sean. It was Sean and his fellow Rotarian Barry Murphy who first established the contest in 2001. “Not only does it give young people the opportunity to perform alongside their peers, but the contest also opens up new avenues for showcasing their talents,” said Barry.
Killarney Rotary president John O’Sullivan added: “We are delighted to welcome Killarney Advertiser as media partner and trophies sponsor for the third consecutive year.”
The overall winner of the 2015 event was singer Megan O’Neill, who competed in the over-16 voice category in the prestigious event. Meanwhile, talented young Killarney pianist Jack McCrohan was the first winner of the James Gleeson Memorial Trophy at last year’s Killarney Rotary Young Musician competition.
Jack, nine, from Ross Road, impressed all when he made a guest appearance at a Killarney Rotary lunch at The Malton Hotel a month later where he dazzled Rotarians and hotel guests alike with a virtuoso performance. James’s wife Grace and son Eoin presented the trophy in his memory.

Launching the Killarney Rotary Young Musician of the Year were, back, Eduard Schmidt-Zorner, John O'Mahony, Killarney Rotary President John O'Sullivan, Sean Treacy, Barry Murphy, James Tarrant and Angela O'Connor, front. Grace O'Neill, Ciara Irwin Foley and Paul Sherry.