Connect with us

News

Ukrainians sing from the heart as a thank you to community

Published

on

0246467_Ukrainian_choir_by_Oleksandr_Khomenko_1.jpg

By Natalya Krasnenkova

Beautiful sounds and hand crafted gifts made for a very special occasion on Sunday as the Ukrainian community came together to thank locals for their warm welcome and hospitality.

Ksenia Ruskak pictured during her solo performance dat St Mary's Church of Ireland on Sunday. Photo: Oleksandr Khomenko

Kaenia and Sofia Yershovy pictured at St Mary's Church of Ireland on Sunday. Photo: Anastasya Garbera

Getting ready to perform were members of the Ukrainian Choir at St Mary's Church of Ireland on Sunday. Photo: Oleksandr Khomenko

Young Ukrainians performed in the Children's Choir in St Mary's Church of Ireland on Sunday. Photo: Oleksandr Khomenko

St Mary's Church of Ireland on Sunday was full of guests as the Ukrainian choir prepared for their 'Thank You' concert. Photo: Oleksandr Khomenko

Members of the Irish Cathedral Choir pictured performing at St Mary's Church of Ireland on Sunday. Photo: Anastaya Garbera

Adrian McSweeney playing at the charity concert in St Mary's Church of Ireland on Sunday. Photo: Anastasiya Garbera

Christmas cards made by Ukrainians which were handed out to those in attendance at Sunday's concert. Photo: Oleksandr Khomenko

The talented Yershovy Sisters performing at Sunday's concert in St Mary's Church of Ireland. Photo: Oleksandr Khomenko

A charity concert was held at St Mary's Church of Ireland and it was packed to the rafters as the 200 seats could not accommodate all present.

A choir of Ukrainians currently living in Killarney spent three weeks in daily rehearsals to present the best Ukrainian carols and had prepared a large programme of traditional Christmas songs and melodies.

Fortunately, among the participants there are many professional singers Okasna Bondarenko, Anna Domina and Olena Basko, who helped other participants to sound sublime.

“The whole choir sang from the heart. It was an opportunity to show what a good Ukrainian fun song is,” Anna Domina said.

The children's choir also prepared the song 'Oh, who loves St Nicholas?'. Saint Nicholas is for Ukrainians what Santa Claus is for the Irish. Children are waiting for St Nicholas who traditionally brings them gifts and puts them under the pillow. It is no accident that during the performance of this song, the Ukrainians treated all the little guests to sweets.

The Ukrainian violinist sisters Yeroshovy from Listowel impressed everyone with their virtuoso performance. People in the hall cried and applauded when they heard the world-famous 'Melody' by the Ukrainian composer Myroslav Skoryk.

Bandur player Ksenia Rusnak travelled from Lisdoonvarna where she lives now to perform several compositions.

The Irish Cathedral Choir joined the concert with several Christmas carols accompanied by the organ and Adrian McSweeney sang a traditional Irish song.

"We really wanted to introduce the Irish audience to our musical Christmas traditions. Now the whole world sings the 'Carol of the Bells' written by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych. In Ukrainian, this Christmas song is called 'Shchedryk'. Exactly one hundred years ago, the premiere of this song took place in New York. Singing and spending this special time together, we can become closer to each other and connect culturally and spiritually," Yulya Spillane, one of the organisers, said.

To commemorate the concert, all guests received Christmas cards and angels made by Ukrainian children.

"We will be happy if these small gifts decorate your homes and create a festive atmosphere."

Ukrainians are very grateful to Rev. Simon J Lumby from St Mary's Church for the wonderful venue and KASI for providing a room for rehearsals.

After the successful concert, the Ukrainian choir received several invitations for future performances. All those who could not make it to last Sunday's concert are invited to the church in Fossa next Wednesday, December 21, with other concerts also possible in the coming week.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

News

Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections

Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]

Published

on

0258633_ARAS_AFTERNOON_TEA_MX-3.jpg

Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.

Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.

The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.

Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.

Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.

She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.

“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”

In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.

In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.

last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History – Irish Life and Lore’.

During the broadcast she talked about her parents’ membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.

This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.

Continue Reading

News

Philip is running over 100kms for Cancer charity

Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday. Phillip has already […]

Published

on

0258691_Philip_Kissane_23.jpg

Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday.

Phillip has already completed four half marathons at various locations around Killarney – all in aid of Kerry Cancer Support Group – or the Cancer Bus as it popularly called.

This is the second time that Phillip has run four half marathon and an official race for the charity.

Back in 2021 he finished with 5km Run Killarney event but his finishing race this time around is over eight times the distance at 42kms.

“We are delighted with Philip’s continued fundraising support but also with his awareness raising for the charity,” Breda Dyland, Service Manager Kerry Cancer Support Trust.

“We are getting busier all the time and still get no statutory funding so are dependent on fundraisers like Philip’s to keep us on the road. We have just put our new wheelchair accessible bus on the Cork route so Philip’s funding will be going towards the operation of this vehicle.”

Attachments

Continue Reading

LOCAL ADS

Last News

Advertisement

Sport

Trending