OPEN: At the official opening of ANAM - Killarney’s Arts and Cultural Centre were Cllr Maura Healy-Rae, Kate Kennelly (Arts Officer, Kerry County Council), Angela McAllen (Manager Killarney Municipal District), Cathaoirleach Killarney Municipal District, Cllr Michael Gleeson, John Purcell (Facilities Manager, Kerry County Council), Cllr. Niall Kelleher (Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council), Mary Nash (Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht) and Moira Murrell (Chief Executive Kerry County Council). Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

The official opening of ANAM – Killarney’s Arts and Cultural Centre - was performed by Minister Brendan Griffin TD last Friday night.

The project, which saw the complete refurbishment of the local-authority owned cultural centre on East Avenue, has resulted in the development of a flexible, adaptable and contemporary space, both internally and externally, which can host arts and cultural performances.

The refurbished venue has an indoor seating capacity of 67 to cater for small events, but for larger events the venue can be re-arranged, utilising the auditorium as a stage area with outdoor seating of 131 seats.

In opening ANAM, the Minister acknowledged the role of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and Kerry County Council, who, working together, have brought back to life an integral part of the cultural element of the town, which has huge potential to enhance the already excellent offering to visitors to Killarney, as well as the local community.

“Killarney town and the wider Municipal District has a rich heritage in the arts, both in terms of performance, music, dance, theatre and visual arts,” Cllr Michael Gleeson, Cathaoirleach of Killarney Municipal District said. “For community, youth and local arts and drama groups to have an opportunity to utilise this space provides them with an outlet to showcase their talents to the wider community.”

The Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Niall Kelleher, acknowledged the funding from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Kerry County Council and stated that investment in the arts sector was vitally important for Killarney and for Kerry as a whole, allowing for increased participation in the arts in Kerry. He also thanked the staff of Kerry County Council, who managed the delivery of the project, Davide Mosca architect for the design concept, and contractor Jerry Brosnan Construction.

The Arts and Cultural Centre will be managed by Killarney Municipal District Office, with queries and bookings to be sent to killarneyartscentre@kerrycoco.ie.