News
Outdoor music festival brings smiles and laughter

UKRAINE COLUMN
By Natalya Krasnenkova
On Sunday morning, a small van arrived at the Innisfallen car park and in it was very valuable cargo, which Ukrainians were looking forward to!
After a few minutes the doors of the van opened, and we saw an absolutely fantastic picture - a stage for live music performances.
The concert began and included Irish musicians James Moore on vocals and guitar, Deirdre Johnson on vocals and guitar, Damian Greer drums/percussion and Vairis Burcaks keyboard/synthesizer which gave the audience such positive emotions especially those who are still experiencing many fears and anxieties about the war.
"Music unites, it carries history and emotions in different languages, and when there are types of Irish music sessions, worries are left behind for a while when music prevails," organiser, Gemma Tipton, said.
Then Ukrainians took to the stage. The traditional 'One Viburnum Outside the Window' was performed by Olena Basko, guitar by Yevhenia Omelchenko and vocals by Tetiana Neliepova supported by Irish musicians.
Singing together brings a lot of surprises and laughter but everyone was ready to improvise and support with one round of applause.
Festival in a Van started in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Arts Officer with Kerry County Council, Kate Kennelly, found funding, and the festival was able to take place that day in Innisfallen.
“Initially, I organised a Festival in a Van to help theatre masters and artists work during COVID. I want to find a safe way to continue live performances, as well as give hope and enjoyment to people who are isolated from the pandemic,” Gemma added.
Since then, Festival in a Van has toured schools, nursing homes, town centres, city squares, remote places - where art does not always reach.
"Like so many people all over the world, I’m shocked, saddened, upset and angry at the Russian attacks on Ukraine, and while I know there’s not much I can do to help at a political level, Festival in a Van is an obvious way of bringing the arts to where you are currently staying,” she added.
News
New local date for Hozier this summer
With over 22 billion global streams Hozier, whose other shows are completly sold out, has announced a new date in Killarney this summer. Not only will the Grammy-nominated, award-winning multi-platinum […]

With over 22 billion global streams Hozier, whose other shows are completly sold out, has announced a new date in Killarney this summer.
Not only will the Grammy-nominated, award-winning multi-platinum singer and songwriter, perform in Malahide Castle and The Academy, but he has announced a gig at the Gleneagle INEC Arena on June 27.
Driven by the thought-provoking quintuple-platinum anthem, ‘Take Me To Church’, ranked the 30th most listened to song on Spotify, the track is the 103rd song to ever achieve the rare milestone of Diamond certification and the highest certified solo Alternative single in RIAA history.
‘Take Me To Church’ has surpassed 2 billion streams, the only Irish artist to achieve this feat.
Hozier’s success hasn’t been confined to the UK and US with the album also achieving Multi-Platinum status in Belgium, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Ireland, Russia, Sweden, Poland, Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands.
Major TV appearances have helped spread the gospel including stand-out appearances on Later with Jools, Jimmy Fallon , David Letterman, Saturday Night Live, Ellen, Jimmy Kimmel, and Graham Norton. Following a year of sold out shows and festival appearances across the US, Canada, Europe and Australia, VH1 crowned Hozier ‘Artist of the Year’ and he received the honours ‘Top Rock Artist’ and ‘Top Rock Songs’ at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards.
In addition, he scored nominations for ‘Song of the Year’ at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards at which he performed alongside Annie Lennox and ‘Favourite Artist – Alternative Rock’ at the American Music Awards.
He won BBC ‘Song of the Year’ and the coveted Ivor Novello award for ‘Song of The Year’.
As Hozier prepares to release his third album ‘Unreal Unearth’ in 2023, his 3-track EP ‘Eat Your Young’ was released on March 17 in honour of his birthday and St. Patrick’s Day.
Tickets for Hozier go on sale this Thursday at 9am.
News
First born Kerry Calf of the year is a girl!
The first born Kerry Calf of 2023 was born at Muckross National Park this week. Both mother and calf are doing very well. The rare and native bred is distinguished […]

The first born Kerry Calf of 2023 was born at Muckross National Park this week.
Both mother and calf are doing very well. The rare and native bred is distinguished by its black colour, grazing outdoors in all seasons and is extremely hardy. The newborn calf can expect a long and peaceful life grazing in the National Park – the half moon close to Torc Waterfall is a popular grazing field.
Kerry cattle are a rare breed of dairy cattle – native to Kerry, descended from the Celtic Shorthorn, brought to Ireland as early as 2000BC. They are considered one of the oldest breeds in Europe, known for their milk quality and gentle nature.
Killarney National Park recognises the importance of conserving the historic Muckross herd. Former owners of Muckross Estate, Arthur Rose Vincent, were passionate about the Kerry Calf. Today, the rare bred are cared and managed by Chief Herdsman, Mike Fleming, particularity for preservation and agricultural heritage.
Another prolific breed is the ‘Cahernane Kerry’ owned and bred by dairy farmer, Ms Hilliard of Cahernane, Killarney. Ms Hilliard is one of the strongest advocators in the preservation and conservation of the bred. She is life-long secretary of the Kerry Cattle Society.
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