More details have been ann0ujnced of Ballyhoura Walking Festival, which is celebrating its 29th year, will occur alongside the Joyce Brothers Music Festival from 2nd to 5th October 2025.
The festival features various walking events suitable for all skill levels, including guided walks and the challenging Sunrise to Sunset Ballyhoura Challenge. A highlight includes the Intercultural Food Fair, where local residents will showcase diverse culinary traditions on 4th October.
The Joyce Brothers Music Festival will offer traditional concerts, workshops, and evening sessions, featuring renowned musicians who honour Irish music heritage.
The festival promotes community spirit and sustainable tourism, encouraging visitors to explore local businesses and support the Ballyhoura region.
- Take on the Sunrise to Sunset Ballyhoura Challenge, a full-day test of stamina covering over 42km of rugged trails and 1,500m of elevation, or the Half Marathon Hillwalk for a shorter but equally rewarding mountain experience.
- Greet the day with the Dawn Chorus Sunrise Walk to Seefin, breathe deeply on a Yoga Walk along the Moor Abbey Loop, or explore the fascinating biodiversity of the Griston Bog Bug Safari with local environmentalist Albert Nolan. Families can walk the gentle Alpaca Walking & Farm Activities, where younger participants can get hands-on with friendly animals.
- Join Anita Bennis for the Whistling Walk – a light-hearted and joyful stroll where participants learn to whistle a melody while wandering through the scenic landscapes of Ballyhoura, letting the hills carry the tune.
- The Kilmallock Medieval Town Guided Walk, Lough Gur – Walking Through Time, Mitchelstown Heritage Walk and the atmospheric Journey Through Time at Annes Grove Gardens & Doneraile Park. Meanwhile, heritage blends with scenery on the Castle Oliver Walk and the Molanna Loop, where ancient ruins and rolling hills tell their own stories.
- The music heartbeat of the weekend begins with a Gala Opening Night in the Old Chapel Rooms on Thursday, setting the tone for days filled with traditional concerts, toe-tapping sessions, and engaging workshops. Expect to hear the best of Irish traditional music spilling from pubs, halls, and street corners, with local and visiting musicians sharing their craft.
- Amongst the great musicians, dancers and singers performing at this year’s festival are many who have made enduring contributions to Irish traditional music including Matt Molloy (The Bothy Band, The Chieftains), John Carty and John Faulkner.
- Workshops will give festival-goers the chance to learn directly from seasoned performers, whether through instrument masterclasses, traditional singing, or sean-nós dancing. The festival’s unique Walk to the Joyce Homestead connects music, history, and place, ending with tunes at the very home where the brothers’ story began.
- Kilfinane Community Council will host an Intercultural Food Fair from 1:30pm – 3:30pm on Saturday, 4th October. Residents of Kilfinane and surrounding areas will showcase dishes traditional to their cultures, offering festival-goers a chance to share in the warmth of community and discover new tastes from around the world.
Contact
- Ballyhoura Centre, Kilfinane: Ph: 063-91300 or email: reception@ballyhoura.org
- Phone number for Joyce Brothers Music Festival Bookings: 087-4548501
- Walking Festival and Music Festival Information Online:
- Tickets for all Walking Festival Events here
- Tickets for all Joyce Brothers Events here:
THURSDAY 2nd October
- 7:30pm: Gala Opening Night in Old Chapel Rooms (Joyce Brothers Festival) – Feat: Ciarán Ó Gealbháin, with historian Angela Hennessy and special guests Tomás Ó Gealbháin, Caoimhín O Fearghail, Sean O Fearghail, Ciara Flanagan, Macdara Ó Faoláin and Victoria Adii
RIDAY 3rd October
- 5pm: Whistling Walk with Anita Bennis (Ballyhoura Walking Festival)
- 7:30pm: Traditional Concert with Highlights of Hup na Houra in Old Chapel Rooms (Joyce Brothers Festival) – Feat: John Faulkner, guitarist Frank Kilkelly and puppeteer Des Dillon
- 9pm: Traditional Irish Music Session in O’Seachnasaígh Bar (free event) (Joyce Brothers Festival)
SATURDAY 4th October
- 6am: Dawn Chorus Sunrise Walk (Ballyhoura Walking Festival)
- 7am: Sunrise to Sunset Ballyhoura Challenge (Ballyhoura Walking Festival)
- 9am: Half Marathon (Ballyhoura Walking Festival)
- 10am: Castle Oliver Walk (Ballyhoura Walking Festival)
- 10am: Molanna Walk (Ballyhoura Walking Festival)
- 11am: Explore Georgian Mitchelstown Tour (Ballyhoura Walking Festival)
- 11:30am-1pm: Beginners Music Workshop in Teach na Cille (Joyce Brothers Festival)
- 11:30am-1pm: Advanced Music Workshop in Ó Céileachair’s (Joyce Brothers Festival)
- 1:30pm-3:30pm: Intercultural Food Fair (Kilfinane Community Council)
- 2:30pm-4pm: Traditional Singing Workshop in Ó Céileachair’s (Joyce Brothers Festival)
- 2:30pm-4pm: Sean Nós Dancing Workshop in Old Chapel Rooms (Joyce Brothers Festival)
- 7pm: Moonlight Walk (Ballyhoura Walking Festival)
- 7:30pm: Traditional Concert in Old Chapel Rooms (Joyce Brothers Festival) – Feat: Stephanie Keane, Derek Hickey, Caoimhín Ó Fearghail, Laoise kelly, John Carty, Matt Molloy and Brian McGrath
- 9pm: Traditional Sessions in McGraths Bar (free event) (Joyce Brothers Festival)
- 9pm: Traditional Sessions in Ó Céilleachair’s Bar (free event) (Joyce Brothers Festival)
SUNDAY 5th October
- 10am: Yoga Walk Experience along Moor Abbey (Ballyhoura Walking Festival)
- 10am/1pm/4pm: Alpaca Walking and Farm Activities (Ballyhoura Walking Festival)
- 11am: Kilmallock Medieval Town Guided Walk (Ballyhoura Walking Festival)
- 11am: Mass featuring Traditional Music & Song at St. Andrews Church (Joyce Brothers Festival)
- 11:30am: Journey Through Time at Annes Grove Gardens (Ballyhoura Walking Festival)
- 12pm: Lough Gur – Walking through Time (Ballyhoura Walking Festival)
- 1pm: Walk from Ballyorgan to the Joyce Homestead, Glenosheen (free event) (Joyce Brothers Festival)
- 2pm: Family-Friendly Bug Safari at Griston Bog (Ballyhoura Walking Festival)
- 2pm: Traditional Session in Nuala Mee’s Pub, Ballyorgan (free event) (Joyce Brothers Festival)
- 2:30pm: Guided Tour of Doneraile Park and Gardens (Ballyhoura Walking Festival)
- 5pm: Final Performance – Traditional session in Healy’s Bar (free event) (Joyce Brothers Festival)
