A WEALTH of music talent took to the  stage in The Ashe Hotel last night as the 7th annual Christie Hennessy Festival kicked off with The Troubadour Club.

Nine acts played three original songs each and there was an impressive attendance to hear such artists as Mike Hanrahan from legendary folk group, Stockton’s Wing and leading Irish singer-songwriter, Luan Parle.

Also appearing were The Shans, Sweet F.A., Isolated Frequency, FoxTales, Jamie O’Reilly and Mark Leen.

Bronagh Gallagher, who starred in The Commitments and many other blockbuster movies, will be the special guest at the 7th Annual IMRO Christie Hennessy Song Competition Live Final tonight (Saturday).

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Luan Parle, Aisling O’Carroll from Kerry School of Music, Suzanne Ennis from Tralee Credit Union and Tralee Municipal Councillor Sam Locke will form the judging panel and Sam told us the standard of the 10 shortlisted entries this year is incredible.

The winning songwriter will be presented with a cheque for €1,000 on the night, courtesy of Tralee Credit Union while the runner up receives a cheque for €300.

Admission to the final is free and gets underway at 8.30pm so if you want to hear great original music, The Ashe is the place to be tonight. Scroll down for photos…