Cuban Ambassador

Senor Noel Carrillo and Louis Mulcahy

An exhibition of Work by Kerry Based Artist & Musician, Karolien Verheyen, Brings the Beauty of Cuba to Kerry

Tralee - An exhibition of work entitled 'In search of Music... Cuba' by Kerry based artist, Karolien Verheyen, went on display in the new Samhlaiocht Gallery on Wednesday, 27th of June. The collection of photographs and a short film / slide show by the Belgian born artist demonstrated the remarkable empathy and appreciation which she feels for the people, places and culture of Cuba. The exhibition was opened by His Excellency, Mr. Noel Carrillo, Cuban Ambassador to Ireland with Miriam McGillycuddy, Mayor of Tralee, in attendance.

"I'm delighted and honored to be in this beautiful gallery in Tralee," said the ambassador. "It's my first time in this part of the country and it's so beautiful I had to stop to take pictures three separate times on the drive down."

The Mayor of Tralee thanked the ambassador for coming and expressed what an honor and privilege it was to have such an illustrious guest in Tralee. She spoke in glowing terms of Samhlaiocht and its positive impact on the town of Tralee and its position as a leading Arts organisation for Kerry.

The ambassador also spoke of the importance of the Arts noting, "Cuba and Ireland are separated by thousands of miles of ocean but there are striking similarities between the countries. Both are small island nations, both have similar histories in the shadows of larger, more powerful neighbors and the people in our two countries have a similar love of music, of the arts and a pride in their respective histories."

The ambassador proved to be a true gentleman, conducting himself with a level of diplomacy, compassion and humour throughout the evening, drawing laughs from the crowd when he admitted having difficulty pronouncing 'Samhlaiocht'. "I would like to thank the organisation, but I can't say its name! I practiced all the way down in the car but then when I got here, Jason pronounced it completely differently and now I've forgotten."

Jason O' Mahony, Artistic Director of Samhlaiocht, thanked the ambassador and Mayor of Tralee for conducting the opening services and presented the ambassador with a piece of Louis Mulcahy pottery, which is handcrafted in Kerry, and with a book, For the Love of Kerry, which is a photographic record of the people and places of Kerry, published by Samhlaiocht and The Arts Council of Ireland.

The Ambassador also complemented the hotel in which he was staying, Fels Point, in Tralee saying, "I thought all the best hotels were in Dublin. I was wrong. I will definitely come back to Kerry but next time I will bring my family to this most beautiful county."

The Samhlaiocht Gallery is located in the old Presbytery next to St. John's Parish Church in the centre of Tralee on Lower Castle Street. 'In Search of Music runs until Friday, 27th of July. Opening times at the Gallery are Monday to Friday from 10.00 am to 5:00 pm. Everyone is welcome.

For more information on Samhlaiocht please log on to www.samhlaiocht.com