6 minute read
Local Festivals & Events
............... Festivals
EVENTS gigS
• All-Ireland Football Championship (May to August)
Fitzgerald Stadium, in the heart of Killarney, hosts at least one championship match during the Munster and All-Ireland football season, which runs from May to August. The atmosphere in the town is electric as local heroes Kerry take on visitors from any given county, depending on the stage of the competition and when Kerry is scheduled a home game or two. If it is not possible to get a ticket for a stadium match, get into any pub in the town centre on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon to soak up an even better atmosphere. Gaelic football fans tend to wear their hearts on their sleeves so expect plenty of good-natured banter between fans of rival teams. www.fitzgeraldstadium.com
• BikeFest (June 3 to 6)
BikeFest is an annual international festival, attracting motorcycling enthusiasts in their tens of thousands. The real attraction is the craic, goodwill and convivial atmosphere for all. From bikers to non-bikers or even aspiring bikers, visitors, tourists, families and locals, BikeFest has something for all! Soak up the atmosphere in the Bike Village, located two kilometres from Killarney town centre, on the Muckross Road, in the grounds of the Gleneagle Hotel and INEC. www.irelandbikefest.com The annual Ring of Kerry Cycle attracts thousands of leisure cyclists from Ireland and beyond, who cover all 180kms of the spectacular Ring of Kerry, while at the same time raising money for worthy causes. This year the event celebrates its 40th anniversary and to date has raised over €17 million for 160 local charities. It makes a welcome return on July 2, timed to coincide with the annual 4th of July Festival. During the Ring of Kerry Cycle the town takes on an atmosphere that would not look out of place in the Tour de France. www.ringofkerrycycle.ie
• 4th of July
Put on your red, white and blue for Killarney’s annual 4th of July Parade. Main Street, Killarney becomes Main Street, USA as locals and visitors gather to celebrate America’s Independence Day. It is one of the town’s biggest festivals and as well as the parade a host of side events take place. These include an outdoor cinema in the grounds of Killarney House and a spectacular fireworks display. www.killarney.ie/event/killarney-4th-of-july-celebrations-2/
• Christmas in Killarney
Christmas in Killarney has become the pivotal winter festival in the town, with a myriad of offerings for young and old, including concerts, Craft and Food Fair, sleigh rides, Killarney on Ice, and of course a visit by Santa Claus himself! It starts with the Big Opening Magical Christmas Parade – date to be confirmed but usually the last Saturday in November - followed by weekly parades every Saturday until New Year. www.christmasinkillarney.com
• Wander Wild
A quirky festival designed for the curious and intrepid among you, Wander Wild is a bustling adventure camp full of expeditions, adventure, well-being, food and music. There’s something for everyone and it’s going to be a tough task to fit as much in as you possibly can. This is Killarney’s Great Outdoor Festival and it welcomes wanderers of all ages and abilities and a whole host of speakers and activities. First run in March 2022 the now annual festival is timed to take place the same weekend that clocks move forward into summer time – what better way to kick the winter goodbye! www.wanderwildfestival.com
• St Patrick’s Day
Killarney is the best place in Ireland to celebrate the country’s national holiday. A spectacular parade makes its way through the town, and while that is the main attraction, it is only part of the story. The town’s pubs come alive with Irish music, there are children’s activities and much much more. The parade starts on Mission Road in the mid afternoon and it winds its way along East Avenue Road, College Street, Plunkett Street, Main Street and New Street before finishing in the Beech Road car park. There is a children’s fun zone, with amusements, magic shows and a lively DJ, on Beech Road during the festival. Prior to the parade on March 17, the Killarney School of Music Concert Band performs on the festival grandstand on Main Street and masters of ceremony for the big parade ensure a fabulous atmosphere in the town centre all through the day.
COUNTYWIDE FESTIVALS
KILLORGLIN • Puck Fair - (August 10-12)
Killorglin is the venue for one of Ireland’s most unusual street festivals – Puck Fair. At least 400-years-old, the fair is one of Ireland’s longest-celebrated, and is held without fail on August 10, 11 and 12 every year with 12 hours of free street entertainment, music, horse and cattle fairs, and general merriment. Every year a goat-catcher goes up into the mountains to catch a wild goat. The goat is brought back to the town and the Queen of Puck, traditionally a young girl from one of the local schools, crowns him King Puck. This signifies that the festivities may begin! On the third day – minus his crown – he is led back to his mountain home. www.puckfair.ie
• K-FEST (June 3 to 6)
The town also hosts K-FEST over the June Bank Holiday Weekend (June 3 to 6) – an arts and crafts jamboree in the mid-Kerry town that has something for everyone – live music performances by dozens of upand-coming bands and musicians, spoken word, drama, comedy, short films, street entertainment, and activities for kids. www.kfest.ie
The highlight of the Rose of Tralee International Festival (August 1923) is the selection of the Rose of Tralee, which brings young women of Irish descent from around the world to Kerry for a global celebration of Irish culture. Events include street entertainment, concerts, theatre, a circus, markets, funfair and fireworks. www.roseoftralee.ie
LISTOWEL • Writers’ Week (June 1 to 5)
This is Ireland’s longest-running literary and arts festival where writers, artists and poets gather in the Kerry heritage town of Listowel for a packed programme of talks, workshops, performances and other events. www.writersweek.ie
KENMARE Scene On The Green (July 16 to August 28)
Fair Green has been the heart of Kenmare for over 200 years and this year it will be brought to life with all the cultural and artistic flair that Kenmare is renowned for. Enjoy live music, drama, dancing, fitness workshops, and so much more right on your doorstep. www.kenmaresceneonthegreen.com
DINGLE • The Dingle Marathon (September 3)
The award winning Dingle Marathon is Ireland’s most scenic long distance race. The Dingle Full Marathon (26.2 miles) traverses the spectacular Dingle Peninsula. This is a ‘must do’ event in one of Ireland’s most beautiful locations on Slea Head, with the course designed for runners and walkers to enjoy its breathtaking scenery and beautiful rugged coastline. This is the only day in the year when vehicular traffic is removed from Slea Head, immersing runners in the natural beauty of the Dingle Peninsula on the Wild Atlantic Way. www.dinglemarathon.ie
• Other Voices (dates TBC)
This three day festival of music, song and story usually takes place late in the year in either November or early December and forms part of the Christmas celebration in the West Kerry town. Other Voices has come from small beginnings to now being a mustplay gig for top-tier musicians. The festival has featured performances from some of the best global talent down through the years including Amy Winehouse, David Gray, Hozier, Snow Patrol and Glen Hansard, to name but a few. www.othervoices.ie
