News
Stories and folklore at annual Sneem festival
TIME FOR A STORY: Sneem storyteller Batt Burns, founder of the Sneem International Storytelling & Folklore Festival which takes place from tomorrow.
Storytellers from the UK and Ireland will gather over the coming days for the eighth annual Sneem International Storytelling & Folklore Festival, which takes place from November 8 -10.
Legendary singer/songwriter Jimmy Crowley, Fionn Foley in the award-winning one-man-play ‘Brendan Galileo For Europe’, The Story Swap Sessions and The Young Tellers Concert are just some of the delights planned.
This unique festival in the picturesque village of Sneem has become an established purveyor of the ancient art of yarn-spinning with the tradition being kept alive by young and old.
All featured tellers, including Northern Ireland’s Liz Weir, London-based Cork storyteller and author Kate Corkery, Tom Moore (Kerry), Paddy Regan (Cork) and festival founder Batt Burns are lining out at tomorrow night’s storytelling concert along with legendary songsmith Jimmy Crowley. Saturday night will see a double bill featuring Fionn Fagan’s 2018 Fringe Festival award-winning solo show ‘Brendan Galileo For Europe’ which will be preceded by Kate Corkery’s ‘Sweetshop on the Shore’.
Other festival highlights include a Young Tellers concert, featuring three Fleadh Cheoil na h-Eireann champions from the same family, lunchtime theatre – ‘An Enemy of the People’ by Henry Ibsen, a pub trail featuring Kerry’s Sonny Egan, folklore lectures, The Story Swap Sessions hosted by Killian Burns where amateur tellers get their chance and storytelling in an 18th century barn, making this festival weekend a gift for anyone who likes to be wowed by the power of words. The 15th Kerry Sneem Scouts Group will also host over 400 scouts from all over Kerry in Sneem to coincide with the festival.
“The spoken word is back with a bang which is reflected in the growing interest in our festival with tellers as young as 12 and more as old as the hills sharing stories,” founder and Sneem Seanchai Batt Burns said. “It’s great to see people from all walks of life making the trip to Sneem to enjoy our most ancient tradition. Our mission was always to provide a platform for people of all competencies to tell and it’s reassuring to see that, despite modern-day distractions, there is an enthusiastic listening audience out there.”
You can find the full programme on www.sneemstorytellingfestival.com.
Green light for Torc Dinis walkway
Planning approval has been granted for a long-awaited lakeside walkway and cycleway connecting Torc and Dinis inside Killarney National Park.
An Coimisiún Pleanála confirmed permission for the elevated platform project, which will complete the popular scenic loop while removing a dangerous 800-metre section along the busy N71 Killarney to Kenmare road.
Walkers and cyclists currently have to navigate narrow bends alongside heavy vehicular traffic and tour buses to complete the circuit between the Dinis and Torc car parks.
Mayor of Killarney John O’Donoghue welcomed the decision, calling it a transformative development for the region: “Since beginning in the Council in 2021, this has been one of my priorities as an issue I inherited from my predecessor Michael Gleeson, he being the first person to initially pursue the idea. I have repeatedly kept it on the agenda at Council meetings and now delighted to see we finally have positive news as this decision, which has been long overdue and eagerly awaited, will prove transformative for the area.”
Mayor O’Donoghue added: “The path, which will be on the lakeside, will offer views to rival those anywhere in the world and I have no doubt will prove very popular with locals and visitors alike. Huge credit is due to Kerry County Council and the NPWS for their co-operation on the issue. Once the decision has passed through its statutory waiting period, the design and tender stage can begin.”
The project, which will be built on a raised platform to protect the natural habitat beneath, will also be fully accessible for people with mobility issues. Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce also welcomed the green light, noting that the completed loop will create a major safe attraction showcasing Muckross Lake, Dinis Cottage, and the Old Weir Bridge.
LAKESIDE PATH: An Coimisiún Pleanála has approved planning permission for a new raised walkway and cycleway connecting Torc and Dinis in Killarney National Park.
LOCAL GOLD: Terrie O’Shea, founder and owner of Killarney-based business Sorella Berries, celebrating her Gold award win at the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards held in Dingle last week. Her hand-crafted chocolate covered strawberries secured the top spot in national competition, earning recognition for the local food producer on the national stage.
Green light for Torc to Dinis walkway
Green light for Torc Dinis walkway Planning approval has been granted for a long-awaited lakeside walkway and cycleway connecting Torc...
LOCAL GOLD:
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