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Spraoi Chiarraí are back

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Summer is still here. Spraoi Chiarraí are back after a big struggle to secure funding they are happy to say all is a go. This Killarney based, Irish Traditional Music, Song & Dance, Storytelling, performance collective, is presenting the finest young local talent. They had great success over the last thirteen summers. They are very happy to report all sponsors are again onboard this year making this years series of Free Concerts possible, The first of seven FREE Concerts is this Saturday, August 18th at Killarney House & Gardens Outdoor at 2pm. Keenan Daly (Accordion) Killarney will entertain for two hours. He will be joined by Spraoi Chiarraí Producer/Director Tim O’Shea (Guitar/Vocals/Bodhrán). Mary Philpot Currow, young Set Dancers will also be there. Jim Maher our storyteller, will tell a few yarns as well. Open to all, this family entertainment is sponsored this year by Kerry Co. Council  Arts Office (Arts Act and Commnity Support Funds), Killarney Chamber of Commerce who made it possibe and offer increased support and promtion, Kerry Gems Publishing (Advert Sponsor).  These FREE Concerts will take place at two venues in the town. There are 5 evenings (“In Concert”), at St. Mary’s Church of Ireland opposite the (Town Hall), 2 Open Air concerts (“’round the House”) for the second time at Killarney House (opposite the Cinema), in the National Park. The concerts feature Fiddle, Irish Harp, Accordion, Flute & Whistle, Irish Uilleann Pipes, Guitar, Harmonica, Bodhrán and Vocals as well as (Irish Dancing and Irish Storytelling - outdoor only). All indoor concerts are at 8pm and outdoor performances are at 2pm. This year the group have also been asked to perform again at Puck Fair in August. All shows are FREE so come along, families welcome. Bí gí linn.

The aims of Spraoi ChiarraÍ are:

- To showcase our local young Irish Traditional talent.

- To mentor & provide a platform for young performers to experience a real concert

high profile setting

- To hone their performance skills & work in a team with a sense of ownership of the performance.

- To celebrate local traditional performance culture of the South West of Irleand.

- To offer a free, quality, family, cultural experience for locals & visitors to Killarney, over the summer months.

- To open new quality venues in Kerry for Irish Traditional Performance.

Our “In Concert “programme features solo or duet of  20 minutess of insturmental or song, followed by a 3 piece traditional band.  Our “’round the House” programme is usually outdoor and features a 3 piece band 8 young set dancers and a live storyteller (Seanchai). Be sure to catch our finest traditional performers for free.

Hope to see you there. Contact Tim @ 087-2814550 for further information for free. Bígí linn.

SPRAOI CHIARRAI 2018 (All Saturdays) 14th Season

Killarney House (Outdoor)       

Aug 18 2pm “’round the House”                                             

St. Mary’s Church of Ireland (Indoor)     

Aug 25 8pm “In Concert”   

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World domination for Áine Murphy dancers in Chicago

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Six dancers from the Áine Murphy Dance Academy in Gneeveguilla have returned from Chicago following a massive haul of medals and titles at the World Irish Dance Championships.

The highlight of the trip saw Marcus O’Sullivan from Milltown crowned World Champion in the Under 13 Boys category.

This is Marcus’s third consecutive world title, a feat that follows his All-Ireland win in Killarney earlier this spring.

His year has been further marked by a personal invitation from Michael Flatley to perform at the 30th-anniversary opening of Lord of the Dance.

In the Under 19 competition, Kilcummin’s Caoimhe O’Halloran secured a podium finish, bringing a coveted World Globe back to Kerry.

Her success is particularly notable as she missed last year’s event due to injury and is currently preparing for her Leaving Certificate.

Eleven-year-old Isabelle O’Sullivan from Rathmore also reached the world stage podium, finishing 6th in the Under 12 category.

Her sister, Grace O’Sullivan, and Kayla Fleming from Brosna both successfully made the final recall in their divisions, while Killarney’s Grace O’Leary achieved a personal best in her first-ever World Championship appearance.

The Academy expressed their gratitude to the local businesses, families, and communities whose fundraising efforts made the trip to the United States possible.

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Bowling alley approved for Killarney Outlet Centre

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Killarney Outlet Centre has secured planning permission to transform six vacant retail units into an eight-lane bowling alley and entertainment hub.

The development will occupy units 43 to 48, a section of the building that has remained empty since the shopping centre first opened in 1999.

Alongside the bowling lanes, the new facility is set to include an interactive games area, significantly expanding the town’s indoor leisure options.

This approval follows a separate planning grant last year which cleared the way for a major redevelopment of another part of the centre.

Those plans involve converting units 63 to 68 into a dining area, while unit 69 is earmarked for a dedicated events space focused on Irish music, dancing, and craft fairs.

The overall project also includes the redevelopment of the main concourse to incorporate a bar and seating area.

Kerry County Council has given the green light for the latest expansion with eight conditions attached to the permission.

Once completed, the combined leisure, dining, and event spaces represent a shift in strategy for the Outlet Centre, moving towards a night-time entertainment and social destination.

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