Killarney

By Michelle Crean
<h3>The sweet sound of live music not only lightened the mood but lifted people&#8217;s spirits in the town on Sunday as delighted local acts finally got their chance to get back on stage.</h3>
The town car park at Fair Hill hosted two shows which were the last in the Kerry ANSEO series in recent weeks.
At 2pm, the weather wasn&rsquo;t looking too great as the rain had come, but that didn&rsquo;t stop the performers, who gave it their everything, despite the weather.
First up was The Gleneagle Concert Band, a total of 16 band members took to the stage under the guidance of Vincent Condon musical director and Ciaran Lynch the band manager. All in all they played a 45 minute slot of some great big band tunes
Dingle&rsquo;s own Pauline Scanlon, who is taking a break from her Bird On A Wire UK tour, was next up. Pauline was joined on stage by guitarist Mike Galvin from Killarney. Together this pair gave big music where soulful songs and tunes won the hearts of this live audience. Pauline attributed Mike&rsquo;s with the wonderful accolade &ldquo;the best guitarist in the world&rdquo;. This pair made great music and their range of tunes included Leonard Cohen as well as some Irish folk, done extremely well.
The afternoon show closed with The Small Hours, Killarney&rsquo;s own folk, rock blues band who performed a lively mix of covers and original music. Samandia White and the full band stormed the stage and outplayed the rain.
The Rising, young lads full of energy and lively tunes, were first on stage for the 7pm show. Their collective trad sounds are spirited, and dancing was had, both on and off stage.
Next up, Kerry&rsquo;s own singer-songwriter Cathal Flaherty. Cathal&rsquo;s unique voice and songwriting filled Fair Hill and it was hard to believe it was just one man on stage. He jumped from guitar to piano and the audience simply loved him.
There was no introduction needed for Truly Diverse as the crowd jumped and sang along as one can only do when Kieran Healy and clan take to the stage. The final set was huge &shy;and a fitting end to what was a super Sunday of Kerry music in Killarney.
A total of 66 performers played live to local audiences in Listowel, Tralee and finally Killarney over the last two weekends for ANSEO which was supported by The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht and Media through Kerry County Council and Kerry County Arts.

Music to their ears at ANSEO concerts

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