By Michelle Crean

Spirits were high and the atmosphere electric at this year's Wine & Art Night which had a huge attendance on Wednesday night.

Enjoying the Killarney Rotary Club's Wine & Art evening at the Great Southern Killarney on Wednesday evening were: Heidi Grandeur Cathal Walshe and Noreen McGillicuddy. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Pictured at the Great Southern Killarney enjoying Killarney Rotary Clubs Wine & Art evening were: Ellen Kovalenko (left) &and Sophia Stebakova (right). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Artist Ailbhe Courtney (centre) pictured at the Great Southern Killarney exhibiting her work at the Killarney Rotary Club’s Wine & Art evening with Deirdre Courtney (left) and Jackie McCarthy (right). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Lisa Aherne Niamh Williams and Emer Coffey enjoying Killarney Wine & Arts evening on Wednesday at the Great Southern Killarney. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Enjoying Killarney Rotary Club's Wine & Art evening at the Great Southern Killarney on Wednesday were Nancy Dineen (left) and Patricia Mangan (right). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Lisa O'Connor Ursula Coffey and Karen Smith pictured at the Great Southern Killarney enjoying the Killarney Rotary Club’s Wine & Art evening on Wednesday night. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Over 50 exhibitors gathered in the Great Southern Killarney as the Killarney Rotary Club's fundraising event - which is one of the biggest in the town each year - was back after a COVID break.

During the afternoon the artists and crafters, many who travelled from all over Kerry, Clare, Cork and even Waterford this year, organised their display for the event. Later that evening there were a lot of familiar faces but also some new people who absolutely loved the evening.

There were many wines available to taste as well as cheese and breads at the event which is run in conjunction with Daly’s SuperValu, Killarney and Killarney Brewing Company.

"There was a huge attendance and everybody was in good spirits to be back to normal," President of Rotary, Rayla Tadjimatova, said.

"Many of the patrons were buying some art as Christmas presents and the members of Rotary were delighted to be kept busy packing these. A portion of all art sales goes to the fundraiser. One local young man, who is only 16, exhibited his beautiful photographs of local scenic areas. There was an auction of donated works of art and a Kerry Jersey. All one hundred percent of the proceeds from this auction goes to the fundraiser."

Mike Neeson entertained the crowd on arrival and right until the end of the night.

"Mike is a great supporter of our events and we would like to thank him for keeping everybody entertained."

The Irish Pilgrimage Trust ran the raffle and they had some wonderful hampers and gifts to be won.

Beneficiaries from this year's event are: Coolick NS, Gaelscoil Faithleann NS, Knockanes NS, Holy Cross Mercy NS, St Francis Special School, Kerry Stars, Killarney Athletic AFC, and Killarney Cougars Basketball Club.

She thanked everybody for attending and everyone for their help organising the event.

Some, she added, had never been before and said they did not know what exactly the night involved but will definitely be back again next time as it was "so enjoyable".

"We hope the money raised will help the beneficiaries to proceed with projects," she said.

"We are delighted for Rotary to be able to help these charities, community groups and schools through our fundraising event."