Irish country music’s brightest star, Nathan Carter returns to the INEC to ring in the New Year. Nathan is currently playing to sell-out audiences across Ireland and the UK. His success as a live performer is reflected in his album sales with no less than three Number One albums under his belt. This will be one of Ireland’s biggest New Years Eve celebrations.
From fireside seisiúns to heart-pounding céilís, The Gathering Traditional Festival returns to Killarney for its nineteenth year from February 21 to 25. Celebrating the craic and culture of Irish traditional music and dance, The Gathering features concerts, céilís, sessions and storytelling as well as set dancing, singing and instrument masterclasses. Headquartered at The Gleneagle Hotel, this five-day festival attracts trad fans from the US, Britain, France, Germany and all over Ireland.
St Patrick’s Day in Killarney is a fantastic celebration for families, visitors and locals alike. The celebrations culminate in the annual parade through the streets of Killarney, when sporting groups, schools, music and community groups all participate.
Sample the very best of Ireland’s burgeoning beer industry at Killarney Beerfest. Over thirty independent Irish brewers, will showcase their wares at this annual festival. Learn the Beer 101 from the best in the business with brewing demonstrations, tastings, meet the brewers, beer and food pairing classes and a whole lot more. And because craft isn’t limited to beer there will also be a tantalizing selection of home brewed whiskey, gin and cider.
Killarney Walking Festival is the ideal weekend to avail of a fantastic selection of organised walks and hikes in and around the Killarney area. Fifteen of Ireland’s twenty highest peaks can be found in Kerry and the McGuillycuddy Reeks, on Killarney’s doorstep, are the largest mountain range in Ireland. While Killarney National Park covers an area of 26,000 acres of lakes, forests, mountains and rivers. A two-day walking programme is offered with hikes, treks and hill walks to suit all interests and fitness abilities with The Gleneagle Hotel and Apartments as your walking festival base.
Join us in Killarney on July 4th as we celebrate Independence Day; honoring our American friends and visitors. This is a fantastic colouful parade through the streets of the town, a BBQ, live street music, entertainment, street performances and much much more. The festival itself aims to celebrate all that is great about the US and to remember the years of legacy between the United States and Ireland.
Ireland BikeFest is an action-packed, three-day festival that attracts motorcyclists in their tens of thousands from all over the world to the Killarney. The fantastic scenery, touring routes, hospitality and free entertainment make it one of the must attend festivals of the year. And if you are not a biker don’t worry! Ireland BikeFest welcomes visitors and families who just want to experience the Bike Village. You can just bask in the glory of some slick, well-built machines and enjoy the unique party and festival atmosphere of Ireland BikeFest.
Killarney Races provides eleven cracking days of racing across dates in May, July and August. It is one of the most scenic racecourses in Europe and offers a mixture of National hunt and flat racing with a fantastic atmosphere whether you want to enjoy a family day out or some satisfying punter-friendly competition.
Every August since 1600’s, Killorglin celebrates Puck Fair. It is one of the oldest festivals in Europe and takes place every single year across the 10th, 11th and 12th of August. The precise origins of the fair are unknown, but one favoured theory claims that when England’s Oliver Cromwell and his men were ravaging the area, a goat that had been separated from his herd found his way to Killorglin and his distressed presence alerted the townspeople that the invading armies were close, giving them valuable time to prepare. Today, a wild male mountain goat is celebrated by being crowned King Puck for three days before being released back into the wild. The three-day festival includes The Gathering Day, the Fair Day and the Scattering, all three days are jam packed, with traditional music, street entertainment, markets and live music. An estimated 100,000 people attend Puck Fair every year
We’ve been telling stories for centuries in Ireland and today the tradition continues at the Sneem Storytelling Festival, which takes place every November in one of Kerry’s most picturesque towns. The festival includes storytelling workshops and lectures, a storytelling pub trail, a Young Tellers concert lunchtime theatre and the hugely popular ‘Story Swap’ sessions.