- Wander Wild Festival (17–19 April 2026): Ireland’s premier outdoor and wellness festival in Killarney National Park, featuring over 120 adventure activities, guided hikes, wellness sessions, family events, and evening entertainment amid stunning lakes and mountains.
- Féile na Bealtaine (typically early May): A vibrant community arts festival on the Dingle Peninsula celebrating traditional music, dance, storytelling, and local culture with performances and workshops in Dingle.
- Listowel Writers’ Week (27–31 May 2026): Ireland’s oldest literary festival marking its 55th anniversary in Listowel, with readings, workshops, interviews, poetry, and the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award.
- Ireland BikeFest Killarney (29–31 May 2026): Europe’s largest free open motorcycle festival celebrating its 20th year, with live music, rides along the Ring of Kerry, demos, and a vibrant bike village atmosphere.
- The Gathering Festival (typically early March, but multi-day in Killarney venues): A weekend music festival at the Gleneagle Arena featuring top Irish and international acts for an energetic celebration.
- Kerry International Film Festival (typically October): An acclaimed short and feature film event in Killarney showcasing Irish and international cinema, with screenings, Q&As, workshops, and industry talks.
- Puck Fair (typically 10–12 August): One of Ireland’s oldest and quirkiest festivals in Killorglin, crowning a wild goat as king for three days of parades, music, markets, and traditional merriment.
- Rose of Tralee International Festival (typically mid-August): A world-famous week-long celebration in Tralee with parades, live entertainment, fireworks, markets, and the iconic personality-based competition crowning the International Rose.
- Dingle Food Festival (2–4 October 2026): A culinary extravaganza on the Dingle Peninsula with taste trails, markets, chef demos, workshops, wine tastings, and family events highlighting local seafood and produce.
- Quest Killarney Adventure Race (typically September/October): An epic multisport challenge through Killarney National Park involving cycling, running, and kayaking for adrenaline seekers.
- Killarney Historic Rally (typically November/December): A thrilling motorsport event featuring classic cars racing on closed roads around Killarney’s scenic routes.
- Christmas in Killarney (typically December): A magical festive celebration with markets, lights, carols, Santa visits, and family activities transforming Killarney into a winter wonderland.
- St. Patrick’s Festival Killarney (around 17 March): A colourful parade and community events honouring Ireland’s patron saint with music, dance, and street celebrations.
- Chamber Music on Valentia (typically summer): An intimate classical music festival on Valentia Island featuring world-class performances in stunning coastal settings.
- Dingle Marathon (typically September): A scenic full and half marathon along the Wild Atlantic Way on the Dingle Peninsula, attracting runners for its breathtaking views.
- Other Voices Dingle (typically December): A renowned music festival bringing emerging and established artists to intimate church and pub venues in Dingle for live performances and sessions.
- Brandon Bay Run (2026 confirmed): A coastal running event along the Maharees Peninsula offering stunning views and promoting active tourism in North Kerry.
- Sneem Summer Festival (typically July): A community-driven event in Sneem village with music, crafts, sports, and family fun along the Ring of Kerry.
- Cahersiveen Festival of Music & the Arts (typically August): Celebrating traditional and contemporary arts with concerts, sessions, and performances in South Kerry.
- Kenmare Fair (traditional summer fairs): Historic street fairs and markets in Kenmare blending heritage, food, and entertainment.
Festivals
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary– Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Kerry:
Introduction – 1837 – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells –Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers
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FOOTSTEPPING – Saint Ciara of Tipperary: Places associated with the saint and her feast day (January 5)
‘In the BUSH that I love best’ – St Stephen’s day in Ireland and the wren boys
‘Belief in Santa Claus seems to be dying out’ – a letter from the children of Ireland of 1938
A solstice tale: How Newgrange became a rocks star (ahem) of archaeology
