Spraoi Chiarraí brings the crowd

THE people of Killarney were out in their droves on Saturday afternoon as the Spraoi Chiarraí concerts filled the air with sweet, sweet music.

Spraoi Chiarraí – the locally based Irish traditional music, song/dance, storytelling and performing collective – put on one heck of a show on the day, with the group’s young talent easily living up to the billing.

For those who missed out on the concert, never fear as there is one more show around the corner to look forward to.

The last of the group’s seven free concerts is open to all to attend, and it takes place this Saturday, August 25 in St. Mary’s Church of Ireland in Killarney at 8pm.

Samuel Kiwanuka (vocal and drums) of Uganda and Tralee; and Rois eHelay (flute and vocal) of Headford, Killarney will entertain for two hours.

They will be joined by Spraoi Chiarraí producer/director Tim O’Shea, a guitarist, vocalist and bodhrán-player. The aims of the Spraoi Chiarraí group are to showcase our local young Irish traditional talent; to mentor and provide a platform for young performers to experience a real concert in a high-profile setting; to hone their performance skills; and work in a team with a sense of ownership of their performance. Finally, the group hopes to celebrate the great local traditional performance culture of the south-west of Ireland.

And it would seem they’re achieving all of this.

ABOVE: Storyteller and musician Jim Maher entertaining the large crowd at Spraoi Chiarraí at Killarney House on Saturday.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Eoin O’Brien, Keelan Daly and Tim O’Shea entertaining the large crowd at Spraoi Chiarrai at Killarney House on Saturday.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Marie McKeon, Michelle O’Shea, and Katie and Emma McKeon enjoying Spraoi Chiarrai at Killarney House on Saturday.

Photos by Michelle Cooper Galvin LEFT: Maura and Frances Lucey, Killarney.