Last Friday evening under the shadow of the magnificent Kerry mountains at our home of the Killarney Racecourse and in the presence of friends, family and the people of Kerry, we celebrated ten years of Celtic Steps The Show.
The momentous occasion was well attended by a union of Kerry’s hospitality leaders including Hoteliers, Travel Operators, Local Businesses, County Councillors, TD’s and Officials as well as some well-known faces from around Killarney Town.
We kick started the evening with some wine and canapés while our guests mingled and enjoyed the wonderful rhythms of the Celtic Steps Band before moving on to prosecco for our celebratory speeches.
Mr. David Rea reeled back the years with a journey down memory lane remembering how Celtic Steps commenced in the summer of 2012, in the Mangerton Suite of The Gleneagle Hotel “in more hope than certainty that there was space for another Irish Dance & Music Show” and how it quickly became apparent that both locals and tourists were engaged by the natural, raw and live synergy that the dancers and musicians brought to the stage. He also spoke about the Show’s core ethos which has always been firmly honed on employing local talent, and its journey from employing 8-10 employees at the INEC Gleneagle to its current number of 50 employees, between its theatre in the Killarney Racecourse as well as the Brandon Conference Centre, Tralee.
He concluded by thanking the ever-generous support of local businesses in Kerry, without who the Show would never have reached its ten-year milestone. A special mention was given to The Gleneagle Group (our home still for Killarney Race days!), The Killarney Oaks, The Great Southern Hotel and The Board of Directors & Staff at our current home, the beautiful Killarney Racecourse.
The Show’s recent and very successful European Tour to the Netherlands was also highlighted before Co. Director Mr. Sean Murphy thanked cast, crew and family members for all their hard work, dedication and commitment over the years.
Director of the Killarney Racecourse, Terence Mulchay was also invited to take to the stage as was local Councillor, Niall (Botty) O’Callaghan who both spoke highly of the Show and its value to the town.
The evening was concluded with a very special performance of Celtic Steps to commemorate and toast to the Show’s continued success.
We would sincerely like to thank everyone who joined us for what will be a memorable moment in our Show’s history as well as all our supporters across the globe who come to the Show nightly. We also wish to recognise the efforts of the fantastic team that helped us in organising the special occasion including, Laura MacSweeny Brand & Marketing, The Killarney Racecourse Team, Secret Balloons, Caraway Catering, Carry Out Killarney, Egg Design, Time For Graphics, SideLine Eye, Valerie O’Sullivan Media and O’Sullivan Sound Systems.
Here’s to the next ten ! Go raibh míle maith agaibh a chairde!
