Killarney will fully emerge from lockdown with a vengeance in the coming weeks when the town plays host to the long-awaited Wander Wild Festival, the first post-pandemic festival event on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Ireland’s undisputed adventure capital is preparing to take a walk on the wild side with an innovative and exciting programme of events for outdoor enthusiasts, culture and food aficionados and those anxious to make that great escape.

The Wander Wild Festival in Killarney will run from March 25-27 inclusive and it will see the unprecedented limitations of the past two years banished to distant memory as springtime is enthusiastically embraced with pageantry, passion, drama, adventure and action-packed workshops.

Offering a great escape in Ireland’s most spectacular adventure playground, with a contemporary and extensive line-up of events, Killarney will come alive with a full-on programme and large numbers of visitors are expected to descend on the town to join in the fun.

On the opening night of the festival, at 6pm, a spectacular opening equinox parade through the streets will dramatically celebrate the death of winter and the birth of spring and the flickering flame of a new dawn will illuminate the town.

ADVENTURES

The adventures on offer throughout the weekend will include mountain hikes, kayak and boat trips on the lakes, a guided national park cycle, a photography workshop, orienteering, lake walks, rock climbing and abseiling adventures, night nature walks and a short film festival while plans for an exciting trail race are also at a very advanced stage.

A really novel and fun feature will be sunrise dips in the water at Dundag, yoga sessions at a fabulous wellness hub and great activities for children.

An exciting town centre food trail will focus on the authentic tastes of Kerry food and drink and there will be music and fun in lively venues right through the weekend.

A number of high-profile guest speakers have been lined up to share their life experiences, including gifted writer and storyteller Michael Harding who is expected to explore rituals, love, the ocean, the human spirit – and chest pain.

“The Wander Wild Festival is a really fantastic opportunity for people to mark the declining pandemic by escaping for a few days to enjoy our awe-inspiring park, mountains and our town, among friends old and new,” organising committee chairman Pat Chawke said.