Other Voices 7 Line-Up Revealed

Other Voices; back with a bang...

An exciting line-up has been announced for the seventh series of the RTÉ Two music show 'Other Voices' which will be recorded at St. James' Church on Main Street Dingle for the seventh year running, from Friday 5th to Tuesday 9th December.
Damien Rice's former other musical half Lisa Hannigan makes a much anticipated appearance after her sell-out US tour along with James Morrison. Belfast's Duke Special, (pictured left) riding high at the moment with 'Sweet Sweet Kisses' has also been confirmed as well as Manchester's Elbow and Noah and the Whale.
Irish favourites Kila and Mick Flannery will also perform.
The current schedule runs as; Emiliana Torini and Duke Special will perform on Friday, with Billy Bragg, Liam Finn, Noah and the Whale, Colm Mac Con Iomaire set to appear on Saturday. Sunday's line-up has Elbow, Richard Hawley and James Morrison with Lisa Hannigan, Steve Reynolds and Mick Flannery performing on Monday. On the final night Kila, Imelda May, Eric Bibb and Jape are set to appear. The new series will be shown on RTÉ Two in January, with presenter John Kelly joined by a new co-host, BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac. Past performers at Other Voices include Amy Winehouse, James Blunt, Damien Rice and Sinead O'Connor to mention just a few.
More info is available at www.rte.ie/tv/othervoices/archive.html or check out past Other Voices performances on YouTube.

New Irish Theatre in West Kerry

New Irish Language Theatre for West Kerry
A new Irish language theatre, Lab na Mainistreach, is to open in Dingle, based in the old science room in the former Christian Brothers Secondary school in Dingle.

It'll open with a new play called Raic by Aodh Ó'Dómhnaill, which will be presented by local Irish language youth theatre group AnnÓg who are behind the venture. Newly designated Gael na Bliana, Des Bishop will officially open the theatre on Saturday, November 29th.

Whats on in the Cinema this week?

Phoenix Cinema, Dingle
066-915 1222
Listing valid for seven days from Friday November 21st.
Please note listings are always subject to change.
Movies this week;
Burn After Reading Sun - Thu 8.30pm
High School Musical 3: Senior Year
For Tralee Onmiplex movie times visit;
http://entertainment.ie/cinemas/Tralee-Omniplex/Kerry/225/13.htm
For Killarney Cineplax movie times visit;
http://entertainment.ie/cinemas/Killarney-Cineplex/Kerry/198/13.htm

Dingle Hospital on track for completion

Dingle Hospital to be completed next month
According to HSE officials Dingle's new 68-bed community hospital is on track for completion next month, however it is still unclear as to when patients will actually be transferred to the facility. Responding to a parliamentary question posed by Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, Local Health Manager for Kerry Tom Leonard released a statement this week indicating that the €16.4 million project at Farran, Dingle is poised for completion this December. Construction commenced in early October 2007 and according to the statement released this week by Mr. Leonard, "it is envisaged that it will be completed next month."
"The HSE has commenced the detailed work of commissioning the unit, i.e. purchasing equipment, commissioning of plant etc, there is also provision in the HSE's capital plan for the full equipping of the unit" he said. "As part of the 2009 budgetary process, the HSE has included provision for the pay and non-pay costs associated with the running of this unit in 2009." The statement also warned however that it is unclear as to when the hospital will become operational. "The HSE Service Plan for 2009 is currently being formulated and pending finalisation of the Service Plan it is not possible at this stage to advise when the unit will become operational and when patients can be transferred to the new facility" it read. The new hospital will replace the existing 43 bed community hospital and the project also includes a mental health day care centre, a day care centre for older people and an ambulance base.

WIN TWO TICKETS TO HARLEM GOSPEL CHOIR PERFORMANCE IN DINGLE

The world famous Harlem Gospel Choir will play a special one-off performance in Dingle on Friday December 5th in the Hillgrove Hotel. This is a fantastic opportunity to them on their world-tour. DingleNews.com has two tickets to give away, all you have to do is e-mail the answer to the following question;

Q; In which city is Harlem?

a) Chicago
b) Dallas
c) New York City

E-mail your answer to dinglenews@gmail.com before closing date, 6pm December 3rd 2008.

Dingle set for Harlem Hallelujah

World famous Harlem Gospel Choir to perform at the Hillgrove Hotel

Dingle is preparing for a soul revolution this winter as the world famous Harlem Gospel Choir perform a special one-off gig at the Hillgrove Hotel on Friday, December 5th. The Harlem Gospel Choir has been traveling the world since it was formed in 1986 by Allen Bailey who got the idea for the Choir while attending a celebration in honour of Dr. Martin Luther King at the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York. The Choir presents the finest singers and musicians from Harlem's African-American Churches and over the years they have shared the stage with some of the world's most influential figures. In 1990 the Harlem Gospel Choir performed for Nelson Mandela at Yankee Stadium shortly after his release following the end of apartheid in South Africa and in 2003 they performed for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. The Harlem Gospel Choir have also performed with many of Ireland's greatest acts such as U2, Sineád O'Connor and the Chieftains as well as some of the world's biggest stars including Diana Ross and Lisa Marie Presley on the Oprah Winfrey Show which was broadcast from Madison Square Gardens last year. The Dingle date is the choir's only Kerry performance, more information is available at 066-9151131or at http://www.ticketmaster.ie/

John Benny's named in Ireland's Top Three Pubs

Dingle Pub, John Benny's, was named one of Ireland's top three pubs last week at the Hospitality Ireland Awards held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin, along with The John Hewitt Bar, Belfast and Cronin's Pub, Crosshaven, Cork. The event was judged by Judges a number of industry experts and food and drink writers.John Benny Moriarty's has always been known for its great food and drink and commitment to live traditional music. Pictured, l-r, Eilibhís and John Benny Moriarty (of John Benny's, Dingle) with Emily Hourican, (Editor Hospitality Ireland), Michael Murphy (Head Chef) and Yvonne Leahy (Head Waitress).

Dingle's Sex and the City fundraiser a great success

New York nights
The bold and the beautiful converged on the Dingle Skellig Hotel last Saturday night as over 200 revellers turned out to attend the Sex and the City themed Gala Ball held in aid of West Kerry childcare centre, Áiseanna na hÓige. With Dara Ó Cinnéide as MC on the night (as the evening's resident 'Mr. Big'!), the champagne flowed. The characters of the Sex and the City TV series, Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte are feted for their unique sense of style and the highlight of the Dingle event was the selection of four local ladies that best represented the SATC vibe. Anna Scanlon was chosen as the demure Charlotte while Caroline Kelliher was announced as the flamboyant Samantha. Siobhán Ní Mhathúna took the accolade as the sharp suited Miranda while Lisa Shanahan was a deserving Carrie The high-spirited event continued into the night with entertainment The Promise who donated their services to the event for free.Those in attendance were also treated to a gift bag each on the night and several prizes were given away including €1,000 and hotel breaks. Organisers hope to tally up to €20k to improve childcare services in Dingle. (Pictured, l-r, Siobhan (as Miranda), Caroline (as Samantha), Anna (as Charlotte) and Lisa (as Carrie) with Dara (as Mr. Big!).

Poetry & Photography offer unique perspective in new book

An insightful perspective

A unique collaborative effort was launched in West Kerry last weekend as local poet Dr. Mícheál Ó Fionnáin and photographer Fiona Morgan unveiled a new book of Irish language poetry and photography entitled Briathar agus Solas. The talented pair unveiled the project to a packed house at An Bóthar pub in Cuas, Feothneach last Sunday night. According to Mícheál the book, published by Coiscéim, charters the unique archeology and spirituality of the Parishes of West Kerry. Each one of Mícheál's poems in the book is accompanied by photography by Fiona, offering unique insight and perspective on the wild and weather worn landscape of West Kerry. Mícheál's poetry is often inspired by the varying culture and customs of West Kerry's many Parishes which often sees pagan Celticism and Christian spirituality collide and co-exist.

Dingle's 'Artman' unveils new exhibition

A new exhibition of art was recently unveiled at Dingle's newest galleries, The Irish Artman, on Green Street. A large crowd attended the launch hosted by gallery owner James Thompson which saw the unveiling of new works by several of Ireland's top artists including Graham Knuttel, John Behan, Rowland Davidson, David Jenkins and Lorna Millar. There was also a local flavour to proceedings as Dingle based artist, Anne Stack exhibited some of her latest works. According to James, a native of Dingle and an avid art collector, the event was a great success. "It was a very enjoyable evening" he said, "the main purpose of the Irish Artman is to bring exciting works by a number of nationally and internationally renowned artists to Kerry."
More information is available at www.irishartman.ie

NYC Music Hall of Fame Honour for West Kerry musician

If you can make it there....

Maharees native and New York resident Tommy Goodwin was honoured by his peers last Sunday as he was inducted into the Music Hall of Fame at a special ceremony held in Sommerville New Jersey. Tommy was born in the Maherees on the Dingle Peninsula and developed an interest in the button accordion at a young age. His talent led him to performing at various venues around Kerry before emigrating to the US in 1960. There he continued to perform and soon became a well known face on the New York circuit performing at many famed Irish dance halls such as The Jaeger House, City Centre, The Red Mill and the Tower View Ballroom. Even today, he and Sharon McKenna are the main attractions at the Red Mill Nights dances in the Kerry Building on McLean Avenue in Yonkers. According to his friend Muiris Ó Bric, current President of the Kerrymen's Association in Yonkers, Tommy is an amazing musician and a cherished member of the Irish-American community. "Tommy has a reputation of always being there for charitable and fundraising events" he said. "All Kerry people in New York and beyond are proud of Tommy Goodwin, we congratulate him and wish him will in with his musical endeavors and in life."