Our Society

Society History

When the original Killarney Musical Society disbanded in 1963 after their production of The Desert Song, it marked the beginning of a quiet period for musical theatre in the town.

For a time, Tops of the Town helped fill the gap, but the absence of a dedicated musical society was felt for many years.That changed in 1985, when a passionate group of local music lovers came together to revive the tradition. Their first production, H.M.S. Pinafore, was staged in the Arás Phádraig – a venue that would become the Society’s home for the next fifteen years.

In 2001, a new chapter began when the late Maurice O’Donoghue extended a special invitation to the Society to perform at the INEC, which has been our base ever since.

Over the years, our casts – all enthusiastic amateurs – have shown remarkable versatility. They have sung, waltzed, tapped, and rock‑and‑rolled their way through the music of Gilbert and Sullivan, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, and many more. Their dedication and talent have shaped the Society’s reputation for vibrant, heartfelt performances.

The aims of the Society remain simple and sincere: to promote an understanding and appreciation of musical theatre through music, song and dance and to offer an enjoyable and rewarding social activity to our members. We are proud to have achieved this for many years, and we look forward to the next chapter with great anticipation.