News
“Music is our strength” say talented musical family
By Natalya Krasnenkova
A friend sent me a video of five violinist girls playing on the streets of Killarney - the girls were Ukrainian, there was no doubt about that.
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Sofia Yershova. Photo: Alex Homenko
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Sofia Yershova. Photo: Alex Homenko
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First, they played the well-known melody of the Ukrainian composer Myroslav Skoryk, and secondly, they were dressed in blue and yellow concert dresses - the colours of the Ukrainian flag. Their quintet sounded very well-played and professional, the music performed by the little violinists was mesmerising. I watched this video over and over again. Who are these mysterious girls? So, I started looking for them.
Through Facebook, I found their mother, Olena Yershova. The girls turned out to be sisters: Ksenia (17), Yevlalia (15), Olena (13), Natalka (10), and Sofiyka (6).
We invited the Yershov family to perform in Killarney on the Independence Day of Ukraine on August 24. The girls graced the concert at the ANAM Cultural Centre, where they performed the national anthem of Ukraine, and many classical, folk and modern pieces by Ukrainian composers. All the locals were especially moved by the national anthem of Ireland which the little musicians performed at the end of event. The parts for all instruments were written by the eldest daughter, Ksenia, and their mom and the girls rehearsed the entire programme for the concert in literally two weeks.
"In Ireland, we are carried as if on wings"
The Yershovy sisters, together with their mother Olena and father Maxim, moved to Ireland in March of this year. It was here that their little brother Yaroslav was born three months ago. Now there are six children in the family. Five of them play music: violin, viola, and cello.
The Yershovy family lived in Sevastopol, a city on the shores of the Black Sea in southern Ukraine. Maxim's father was a military naval officer. He was once the best foreign student at the Royal Naval Academy in Britain. Olena's mother used to play music herself, so she encouraged her daughter to play instruments from an early age. Girls learned to play the violin before they could speak. It seemed that they were born already with tools in their hands. Although in reality, behind all achievements there was work, mother's support and good teachers who developed the children's talents.
In 2014, everything changed. Russia annexed Crimea (the southern peninsula) of Ukraine and the family of a military officer were in danger. The Yershovys urgently left their home in Sevastopol and came to Odessa, another sea city that belongs to Ukraine. Their life had to start over, but the first thing their mother found was a music school for her daughters. The future housing had to meet only one critera - it had to be close to the music school.
There the girls had up to five music lessons a week. Daniel Hope, a famous British violinist of Irish, German and Jewish origin, visited the Odessa school more than once. He played with the Yershovy sisters and gave them masterclasses.
However, this year the family had to leave their home again. Olena was already expecting her sixth child at that time. Fate, and the father's friends, decided where the little one would be born. They helped send the large Yershovy family to Ireland and surrounded them with care and support. Olena recalls that they had very few things when they arrived in Ireland but people immediately joined in helping. Friends of the family even created a joint chat where they discussed all the current tasks and possible solutions.
The family currently lives in a quiet house near Listowel with a small garden and a greenhouse, surrounded by a forest - all that Olena dreamed of.
"I have the feeling that someone is carrying me here as if in their arms. In Ireland I constantly feel support from different people. Miracles often happen here, as soon as I think about something, the necessary things appear as if by themselves," Olena tells me.
Violins cannot exist without violins
Arriving in Ireland, the Yershova sisters had no instruments and sheet music, and could not continue playing. And music for them is life. Once the sisters went for a walk, and when they returned, there were two violins lying in the yard. Someone found out that the sisters were musicians and brought instruments. Then the rumour about the little musicians spread and people started bringing violins, violas and even a cello for the youngest Sofia. It was a real miracle, now the house of the Yershovy is filled with music and the coziness and feeling of home reigned there again.
One day, Ksenia, the eldest daughter, was sent a gift. Opening the package, she saw a viola there and it was just the one that was needed! In the package was a touching note from the relatives of the musician, Miriam Owens, who died of cancer six months ago. Relatives decided to present the instrument to a viola player from Ukraine. The instrument from Miriam Owens lives on.
Concert costumes in the colours of the Ukrainian and Irish flags, in which I saw in the video, their mother ordered in an online store. Now the quintet also have great dresses. The Yershovy sisters are being invited to perform at various festivals. Little by little, the girls have become stars. They gladly respond to all invitations, continue rehearsals and classes. And soon they will all also attend classes at the Cork School of Music. They are ready to walk this path in order to improve their skills. Also, for professional lessons, violinists collect funds which also helps in the purchase of new instruments and weekly trips. See Facebook: alenushka12345, the page of Olena's mother, if you would like to help.
The mother of this family, Olena, is an extremely bright, optimistic woman, she smiles all the time. I think that she is the fire of the family, from which the girls' talent unfolds. My last question takes her back to that day when the girls were playing in the streets of Killarney.
"Why did you decide to play a concert on the street that day?" I ask Olena.
"First, we wanted to celebrate the birth of our son, and secondly, we donated all the money we collected that day to the purchase of tactical headphones for the Ukrainian military," she said.
WEEK 14
Felicity’s Summer in Killarney
Previously: Here on Dundag it was far easier to relax than anywhere else. They had a picnic blanket, some cold drinks and what felt like all the time in the world.
“I can’t believe I leave on Monday” Felicity said tiredly.
“Neither can I. This summer has flown. Tell me you have plans to come back sometime soon though? I don’t think Sheila and I can be as good of a mischief-making duo as me and you.”
Felicity had already spoken with her parents about her return to Killarney. “I’d like to come back for Halloween. Who knows, with my apprenticeship you may be seeing a lot more of me.”
Felicity glanced at Jack, who was looking far out over the lake. “That wouldn’t be so bad.” He paused. “There’s loads of things to do in Kerry around Halloween. There are countless events and festivals in the surrounding towns and parishes.”
“That would be nice. I love Halloween, it would be great to see how ye do it down here.” A few years ago she and her friends had run a school scare event in Dublin, for TYs and above only. It had been some of the best fun they’d had in school together.
“It’s going to be really strange not having you just around the corner anymore. I’ve gotten so used to showing up at Sheila’s and you being there.”
Knowing that her friends were going to miss her so much made Felicity’s chest twist. She knew that Auntie Sheila wasn’t looking forward to her leaving either. “At least I’ll be back soon. You’ll be seeing me off of the train before you can blink.”
“Yeah, I can’t wait.”
A few hours passed before Felicity and Jack returned to Hedgerow Place. Jack dropped her off at the door, promising to meet her at the bus station tomorrow to see her off. Felicity trudged towards the door morosely.
Auntie Sheila met her on the other side with a sad smile. “Hopefully you’ll be back soon poppet. I suppose for now you should probably pack.”
Felicity nodded and made her way upstairs. She entered the spare room , her room now, really. Auntie Sheila had offered her it permanently if she were to get her apprenticeship. That would be a dream come true, to live in Killarney and have something as exciting as an apprenticeship to work on.
Felicity packed slowly. She let herself daydream about what her life could look like, and how easy it would be to sink into it. Thoughts of coming back here, to a room that was fully hers circled around her head. Felicity looked around her room as she slowly progressed towards fitting her whole summer into just the two small suitcases and backpack that she had come to Killarney with.
It felt like her experiences were too big, too meaningful to pack away with her. Too much had happened this summer to pack it all away. The only solace, Felicity thought, was that she had to go so that she could come back again.
The Bus
Now she was standing once more at Killarney Bus Station, waiting to get the Expressway back to Cork before the next leg to Dublin. Auntie Sheila and Jack both stood nearby waiting to see her off.
Felicity had spent the last few days packing, reminiscing on her time in Killarney as if it were years ago, and had not started a mere three months previously. The adventures she’d had and the friends she made were all so different from what she knew in Dublin. It almost felt like going back to the city was going back to a different world, a different life.
“You have to stay in touch,” Jack said with a frown. “And I will hold you to your promise to come back at Halloween. We have to go to some of the Halloween events. I know it’s a trek down but it will be faster by train.”
Felicity didn’t know why her parents had booked her a bus down and back and not the train, but she was almost thankful for the extra travel time on the way back. It would take all of it and more to acclimatise back into her old life.
When the bus arrived, Jack helped her stow her luggage in the undercarriage. It was with a heavy heart and tearful eyes that she hugged them both goodbye. Felicity promised both to them and to herself that she would be back for Halloween, even if she didn’t get her apprenticeship, she would make the time around her college schedule to visit. God, she should have applied for college in Killarney. If only she had known what it was like when she was filling out her CAO.
Felicity trudged up the steps onto the bus. She hadn’t missed how cramped the seats were. The train would undoubtedly be the better option for her return.
She turned and waved at Jack and Auntie Sheila as the bus pulled out of its berth. She could see Auntie Sheila smiling up at her. Something her aunt had told her the night before swirled around in her head. “It doesn’t matter that you’re leaving now,” she had said, “because you’ve been to Killarney once, and now there will always be a home for you here.”
Summer in Killarney had been transformative, to say the least. The bus went around the Daly’s roundabout and travelled down the hill towards Cork. Felicity looked longingly at the turn to Woodlawn Road as they trundled by. Killarney, and Auntie Sheila’s little house on Hedgerow Place, had snuck its way into her heart. Felicity was going to miss it. She couldn’t wait to come back again.
Frustration mounts over morning gridlock at Coolcorcoran
Mounting traffic gridlock at the Coolcorcoran junction onto the N22 Killarney Bypass is causing daily delays for commuters, with local motorists calling on Killarney Municipal District and elected representatives to take immediate action.
Early morning traffic coming from the Tralee side has become severely backed up past BG Motors during the peak 8.15am commute.
Motorists attempting to enter the bypass from the Coolcorcoran side face long queues and increasing frustration as they struggle to join the main road.
Local drivers point to a specific design issue at the exit, where a raised kerb and a section of unused footpath prevent left-turning vehicles from merging smoothly into the traffic flow.
Road users are requesting a simple layout modification to resolve the bottleneck: converting the exit to left-turn only, removing the kerb obstruction, and directing driver traffic to loop via a U-turn at the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre roundabout. Similar left-turn measures were previously implemented at the nearby Lewis Road junction to improve safety and traffic flow.
The request comes as broader plans for the N22 bypass upgrade and new link road infrastructure remain under progression by Kerry County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
Motorists wishing to share their views on local road issues can email info@killarneyadvertiser.ie.
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