Stepping up for Oireachtas na Samhna in Killarney

Oireachtas na Samhna will draw thousands of people to Co Kerry this weekend for the Gaelic social event of the year, writes Pet O’Connell.

There was a time when hosting Oireachtas na Samhna in Kerry meant sound-proofing a school hall with blankets so that Ireland’s top sean-nós singers could be heard competing for the Corn Uí Riada.

Nowadays, the popularity of this multi-million euro enterprise means Ireland’s National Events Centre in Killarney is required to accommodate the exuberant dancers, the actors, poets, singers, and musicians, amid the 10,000-plus who come to celebrate Irish language and culture — or just soak up the atmosphere.