TopTenThings
they’ve said that we’re totally blessed and lucky to have this facility here in our town.”
“I’m even part of the Siamsa Tíre summer cast now myself and I think it’s actually scary the number of people here in town that have actually never been to see a Siamsa production in Siamsa.”
All of the socities in Ireland, we support each other quite a lot and so we’d travel around quite a bit and see other shows aswell. So, we’d see these other socities doing their shows in primary school halls, where they’d have to bring in lights and bring in a stage. Definitely in terms of our facilities that we have here then - we’re living the dream,” he laughed again.
Apart from starring in the high end productions of the Tralee Musical Society productions, another role that Mike has taken on in recent years is the aforementioned in the Rose of Tralee’s ‘Family Town’ show.
“It’s Oliver who would write the script for it and it’s just this great interactive show with the crowd and the parents just love it when they see the kids getting involved with us.”
“It was through my involvement with the Musical Society and knowing Oliver Hurley, who of course is the General Manager of the festival that I got involved in Family Town. It was himself and Bryan Carr that came up with the idea of incorporating this continuous family entertainment every year.”
The characters in it are the same every year and this is our third year doing it and it’s great that people now know the characters and they’re expecting and looking forward to the show and it always draws a good crowd every year, weather depending of course!” he continued.
When asked to choose a proudest moment from his long and distinguished performing career, it is testament to the ‘ever the team player’ in Mike’s character that he chooses a memory not just significant for himself, but also to his beloved Tralee Musical Society.
“Everybody is always proud of their major achievements and even though I generally don’t go on stage for awards or anything like that, I have to say that when we won the ‘Best Overall Show’ for ‘Michael Collins’ back in 2011, it was almost like our All-Ireland Final, you know?”
“Everybody just fell in love with the musical. Firstly because it was an Irish story written by an Irish guy and an Irish musical. It was very unique and we were the first to ever perform it and it just blew the audience away. It was such a fantastic show.”
“Even as actors, it was more than a show, Every night on stage, it was hard just holding back the tears because you could feel the connection that the audience was having with the story on stage. It was a completely powerful experience altogether.”
“We were considered the best in the country and you know this is something that we’ve always aimed towards so we were very proud.”
Despite the hours and hours of rehearsals that come with every performance and production that he and the society do, it’s all worth it with acting and performing being what its all about for Mike and the rest of the society at the end of the day.
“The reason that we’re up there first and foremost is that we just all love singing and dancing, but there’s so much more.”
That whole process of taking a show from the script and bringing it to life and being up there with the audience, who without them we would be nothing, and having them connecting with your work and getting enjoyment from what you’re doing, that’s a very special feeling,” he finished.
The whole world’s a stage for Mike and he’s only loving it.
1. KERRY HOSPICE TO HOLD COFFEE MORNINGS
IT’S set to be a very busy morning around the county on Thursday, September 14 as the Kerry Hospice Foundation gets set to host numerous fundraising coffee mornings all around Kerry.
The Ploughmans Bar in Abbeyfeale will hold a coffee morning from 11am to 2pm while the Balldyduff Community Centre will also host a morning aswell on the day from 10am to 1pm and again from 7pm to 10pm.
Ballyfinnane Hall (9am -12:30), Castlemaine Community Centre (10am -11am), the Brogue Inn, the Grnd Hotel and the Na Gaeil Clubhouse will also hold a morning from 10am onwards.
2. CRYSTAL SWING SET TO ENTERTAIN INEC
THET musical talents and energy of Crystal Swing are set to be on show in Killarney’s INEC this coming in Friday night, September 15.
The band most famous for their hit ‘He Drinks Tequila’ will take to theth stage in the Gleneagle Ballroom ro at 9:30pm with the doors set to open at 8;30pm - tickets for the shows are set to cost €10 and are availablea from the INEC box office.
3. READY TO TEST YOURY ENDURANCE?
WITH just over a week to go until theth inaugural Listowel Endurance Festival, there is still time to register is for what is set to be a unique evente in North Kerry.
Taking place from Friday September te 22 to Saturday September 23, this event will see runners takingta part in either a 24hr run, a 12 hour run, a six hour run or a three hour run - all to raise funds for the Kerry Crusaiders group.
Tops and medals will be provided to participants with registration and further details available through the ‘Listowel Endurance Festival’ Facebook page.
4. FUNDRAISING GOLF CLASSIC
NEWKD are getting set to host a fundraising golf classic in Castlegregory Golf Club on Friday September 22. The day will cost €100 for a team of four, with the day being aimed at supporting people people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Any donations on the day will be appreciated by organisers - please call the clubhouse on 066 7139444 for more information.
5. KILLARNEY’S MARY TO PLAY KENMARE
ONE of Killarney’s resident singer soprano’s will entertain the masses at the Carnegie Arts Centre in Kenmare this Friday, September 15.
Mary Culloty O’ Sullivan will be performing from 8pm until 9:30pm where she will perform a myriad of Irish ballads, Aria and love songs. Tickets are set to cost €10 on the door - not a night to be missed.
6. RIPTIDE MOVEMENT PLAY IN INEC
ANOTHER event taking place this coming Friday September 15 sees ‘The Riptide Movement’ taking to the INEC stage.
Tickets are set set cost €20 with doors set to open at 8pm with the show starting at 9pm.
7. CAMP SET FOR GREAT FAIR DAY
CAMP is set to hold its Fair Day this coming Monday September 18 and by the sounds of it, there will be plenty to choose from the day.
Live music, sheep and pwet shows, adult and children fancy dress, teas and refeshments. live music in the evenings - make sure you come out and enjoy the fun at the fair, it’s not a day to be missed.
8. GAME OF THRONES QUIZ NIGHT
THERE will be a Game of Thrones themed quiz night held in the Abbey Inn bar in Tralee this coming Tuesday night, September 12.
The quiz will run from 8pm to 10pm on the night with prizes set to be given out to the top three teams, as well as to the Best House (team) name on the night aswell.
Entry is €5 and are being sold from the Students Union in the IT Tralee - so be sure to come along on the night for what promises to be great entertainment.
9. GET EXERCISING THIS WEEKEND
SEPTEMBER is here so why not try to head down to take part in one of the many parkruns taking place around Kerry at the weekends?
There are four parkruns in Kerry: Tralee, Killarney, Listowel and the Tralee Junior parkrun.
These completely free 5km events are run every weekend by volunteers and they have been proven to be extremely popular in improving both physical and mental health.
The Tralee. Listowel and Killarney parkruns are held every Saturday morning from 9:30am onwards while the Tralee Junior parkrun takes place on Sunday at 9:30am - these 2km events are aged for children from 4-14 years old.
Those looking to take part in the run for the first time can register at parkrun.ie where they can also print their necessary barcode.
10. KILLARNEY SET FOR RECORD FAIR
FANS of music will find themselves flocking to the Killarney Avenue Hotel this weekend, as the Killarney Record Fair gets set to take place on Sunday September 17.
There will be a little something for everybody on the day with thousands of records and cd’s set to go on sale on the day.