Spraoi Chiarraí is a Killarney based Irish Traditional Music, Song & Dance performance collective presenting the finest young local performers. They had great success over the last six summers. The first of this seasons concerts is this Saturday, June 11 at St. Mary’s Church of Ireland, Killarney at 8pm. The talented Kelleher Family from Fossa, open the proceedings and then we have a fiddle duet Padraig Creedon from Glenflesk and his partner Catherine Carey from Kinsale along with Director/Producer Tim O’Shea on guitar and vocals.

Open to all, this family entertainment is sponsored this year by Killarney Arts (Town Council) Main Sponsor, Kerry County Arts Office and Killarney Chamber of Commerce (print sponsor).  These FREE Concerts will take place in two venues in the town. There are 5 evenings (“In Concert”), at St. Mary’s Church of Ireland opposite the (Town Hall), 2 Open Air concerts (“Trip to the Cottage”) at Deenagh Lodge (opposite Killarney Cathedral), in the National Park. The concerts feature Fiddle, Irish Harp, Accordion, Flute & Whistle, Irish Uilleann Pipes, Guitar, Harmonica, Bodhrán and Vocals as well as (Irish Dancing and Irish Storytelling outdoor only). All indoor concerts are at 8pm and outdoor performances are at 2pm. This year group have also been asked to perform for the three days of Puck Fair in August and Killarney Summerfest. The shows are FREE so come along, families welcome. Bígí linn.

The aims of Spraoi ChiarraÍ  are:

- To showcase our local young Irish Traditional talent.

- To mentor & provide a platform for young performers to experience a real concert

high profile setting

- To hone their performance skills & work in a team with a sense of ownership of the gig.

- To celebrate local traditional performance culture of the South West of Irleand.

- To offer a free, quality, family, cultural experience for locals & visitors to Killarney

over the summer months.

- To open new quality venues in Kerry for Irish Traditional Performance.

Our “In Concert “programme features solo or duet of  20mins of Harp or Uilleann pipes or song, a ten minute break and then a 3 piece traditional band.

Our “Trip To The Cottage” programme is usually outdoor and features a 3 piece band 8 young set dancers and a live storyteller (Seanchai). Be sure to catch our finest traditional performers for free.

Hope to see you there Contact Tim @ 087-2814550 for further information for free.

SPRAOI CHIARRAI 2011 (Saturdays)

June 11 8pm “In Concert”           St. Mary’s Church of Ireland (Indoor)

June 25 8pm “In Concert”           St. Mary’s Church of Ireland (Indoor)

July 16  2pm       “Trip to the Cottage” Deenagh Lodge (Outdoor)

July 23  8pm       “In Concert”     St. Mary’s Church of Ireland (Indoor)

July 30  8pm       “In Concert”     St. Mary’s Church of Ireland (Indoor)

Aug 13  2pm       “Trip to the Cottage” Deenagh Lodge (Outdoor)

Aug 27  8pm       “In Concert”     St. Mary’s Church of Ireland (Indoor)