Killarney Mountain Festival

The Killarney Mountain Festival is the latest addition to the growing number of festivals taking place throughout the year in Killarney. Throughout the year, the town celebrates events of all kinds from beer to bikes to books, walking, winter and everything else in between. A mountain festival is appropriate as Killarney is home to Ireland’s highest peaks and has attracted mountain and climbing enthusiasts for generations. In more recent times, the area has also become a magnet for outdoor adventure enthusiasts. The arrival of the Killarney Mountain Festival enhances Killarney’s burgeoning reputation as the adventure capital of Ireland.

What’s going on?

The Killarney Mountain Festival has a great range of events and activities for all to enjoy. You don’t have to scale the peaks of the Reeks to participate. There are plenty of activities down at sea level for all the family to enjoy – from film screenings to specialist speakers as well as guided walks, a 10km run and a full programme of music at the Festival Basecamp at the Killarney Plaza Hotel.

If you prefer your adventures on the silver screen, the festival has an exciting film programme hosted at the Killarney Cinema. Shorts and feature length films will keep you on the edge of your seat.

One of the highlights of the festival is the exciting array of speakers that feature throughout the festival. World renowned adventures will share their tales and expertise at different venues in the town.

Mountain landscapes continue to captivate and a number of photographers exhibit their images at the festival. The stunning images of Killarney National Park featured in Norman McCloskey’s Parklight are included in the 2018 festival exhibit at Killarney House.

For those of a more active disposition, there are guided walks, an adventure race and a 10km run to get you out and about in the Killarney area.

The hub of the festival is at Basecamp. Here is where many of the activities of the festival take place. Workshops, lectures, demos and much more can be found at Basecamp. Enjoy some of the music, grab a coffee or chat with some of the outdoor and adventure suppliers attending the festival.

Killarney – the adventure capital

Killarney Mountain Festival Adventure Race

Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

The popularity of outdoor and adventure activities has blossomed in recent years. Killarney National Park and its environs has become established as an outdoor adventure playground for enthusiasts from all over the world. The mountains, lakes and trails of the area have become a playground for all ages to enjoy. The Quest Adventure Race attracts thousands of adventurers to Killarney each year. Runners participate in varying distance races throughout the year. Triathletes swim, cycle and run their way around the National Park in the annual Hardman Triathlon. The charity Ring of Kerry cycle sees thousands of cyclists set off from Killarney each July. The Killarney walking festival has a series of walks for all levels in its programme that runs each year.

In addition to some of the organised events above, individuals, couples, families and small groups flock to Killarney each year for their own outdoor adventures. The many walks and hikes in the area are becoming increasingly popular with visitors and locals alike.

Runners are spoiled for choice when it comes to running routes in and around Killarney National Park. You can try your hand at rock climbing in the Gap of Dunloe or kayak on the Lakes of Killarney near Ross Castle. Killarney has numerous off-road cycling routes as well as spectacular longer routes in and around the National Park.

Families with children can also enjoy their own outdoor adventures, albeit at a different pace to some of the activities listed above. Some of the easier walks in the area open up a whole new world for the kids. A trip up Torc or Strickeen mountains is achievable for many families and the reward at the summit makes it all worthwhile. Even on a rainy day, you can make it out and enjoy the wonders of the National Park.