John Millington Synge - Photography Exhibition

John Millington Synge - Photographer
Exhibition of forgotten photography marks the centenary of Synge’s death

From July 18th – August 10th an exhibition of the photographs of John Millington Synge will run at the Siamsa Tire Gallery, Tralee.

The photographs in the exhibition include images taken on his first trip to the Aran islands as well as photographs taken in Connemara, Wicklow and West Kerry between 1898 and 1905. There are 51 surviving photographs which form part of the Synge manuscript collection in the Library, Trinity College Dublin. The original glass plates (23) and surviving print photographs have been restored and digitalised by the Library, especially for this exhibition. It is the first time they will have been exhibited in a visual arts context.

As well as the exhibition, a day long event titled The Gathering takes place on July 18th in Kerry, in association with University College Cork. Participants will take part in a range of activities, including a guided tour of the exhibition, contributions from academics, and a tour to Mountain Stage where Synge stayed during his stay in Kerry in 1903. A limited number of tickets at €25 are available from the Siamsa Tíre Box Office.

Gone Fishing!

Waterville Seatrout Festival

The Waterville Seatrout Festival takes place this weekend (18th-19th July). Waterville is renowned for its seatrout fishing together with its magnificent coastal landscape, lakes and coastal walks making it a perfect spot for this festival. Most of the activities take place around Waterville’s cultural centre Tech Amergin. There are a number of events planned including sprey casting, flytying for seatrout and salmon, boat fishing, cookery demonstrations and illustrated talks.

On Saturday night after the official opening there is a concert featuring Paddy Bushe and a host of local musicians. For further details visit the Tech Amergin website.

Weekend events in Kerry

The Tralee Art Fair takes place this weekend at Manor West Hotel organised by the Sol Art Gallery. The fair opens on Friday at 7pm and 12-9pm on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. To see some of the artists exhibiting at the fair visit the Sol Art Gallery website.

Summerfest continues in Killarney with a host of street entertainment planned for the weekend. On the Main St Spraoi Chiarrai will be performing their outdoor traditional art show which features singing, dancing and storytelling. Other entertainment on the streets include buskers and street performers. For more information visit the Killarney Summerfest website.

Killarney Summerfest

Kerstin Doelle (Soprano) will be performing at Muckross House on Friday 10th July as part of the Classical Music Evening for the Killarney Summerfest. Tickets are still available contact Muckross House for more details.


The Balloon Meet also takes place this weekend Friday 10th – Sunday 11th (dusk and dawn, weather permitting). This will be third time lucky for me. Every year I pick the wrong day and time to go. So hopefully… fingers crossed… I might get some photos this year!


For more information on other events organised for this year's Summerfest check out the Killarney Summerfest website.

Pat Shortt in Listowel

Pat Shortt brings his latest offering ‘The Hall’ to St John’s Theatre, Listowel on Friday 10th July. The Hall is set in a community centre of a small rural town. The local drama group decide to stage a gala fundraising concert for their latest production but as you can imagine things don’t go according to plan. The Hall is full of mad characters brought to life in true Pat Shortt style. For more information contact St John’s Theatre 068 22566.

The Irish National Wife Carrying Competition Sneem 2009

Sneem is the venue again for the Irish National Wife Carrying Competition 2009. Last years winning couple John O'Shea from Caherdaniel and Aoife Desmond from Castlecove, received an all expenses paid trip to represent Ireland in the World Wife Carrying Championships on the 4th of July in Finland this year. They will be competing alongside 10 other countries including Japan, China, Australia and USA.

The competition which is the highlight of the festival sees contestants carrying their wife, on a 253 metre course over sand and grass, two dry obstacles and one water obstacle which is about a metre deep. The national record to beat is 1 min and 12 seconds!




In addition to the competition other things to see and do at the festival include the very popular Crate Climbing Competition, laughter yoga, walks, craft market, circus skills workshop, 7-a-side soccer tournament, sheaf tossing, pet show plus much more. For more information visit the Sneem Family Festival website.

The Killarney Summerfest is also taking place this month. Once again there are a variety of activities to choose from including the International Street Performers competition, Junk Art - Don't Rubbish it, Midnight Walk at Ross Castle, Hot Air Ballooning Display, Teddy Bears Picnic; the list is endless. The big concert features the Pussycat Dolls with special guest McFly on the 18th . For more information visit the Summerfest website.

With Pat Short at St John’s Theatre Listowel, Mick Flannery at the INEC Acoustic Club and an exhibition of the photography of John Millington Synge at the Siamsa Gallery there is lots to do in Kerry over the month of July.

Events for June

For all bikers and biking enthusiasts Killarney is the place to be for the annual Killarney International Motorcycle Gathering running from the 5th – 7th June. The Gathering is billed as a great family event suitable for all ages, with entertainment, games, ride outs, demonstrations and music. The Bike Village is where you will catch most of the action check out their website for more information www.irelandbikefest.com

On Saturday 20th June Steve Balbi will be performing in St John’s Theatre Listowel. One of Australia’s finest singer/songwriters, the voice behind Ewan Mc Gregor in Moulin Rouge, part of the 90’s multi platinum award winning Australian rock band ‘Noise Works’. He has been compared to Bob Dylan, John Lennon and Glen Hansard. This is his only European show so make sure you check it out.

The INEC Killarney has lots of entertainment this month for children including SpongeBob Squarepants Live and for the adults you can catch either Jack L or the hilarious Des Bishop. Siamsa Tíre – The National Folk Theatre of Ireland have performances in Teach Siamsa in Ballydavid and Finuge. As you know the summer festivals have started and the Con Curtain Traditional Music festival takes place in Brosna from the 26th – 28th June.

I have only scratched the surface of what’s going on in Kerry this month so check out the findmagazine website for more information.

Enjoy!