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Adventure Awaits at Killarney’s Wander Wild Festival This Weekend!
Kick off Your Easter Break at the Ultimate Adventure and Wellness Weekend at Wander Wild Festival in Killarney.
Killarney is on a high this weekend with the much-anticipated Wander Wild Festival, which is packed with unforgettable experiences for outdoor, adventure, and wellness enthusiasts, along with a full kids programme!
The UNESCO Killarney National Park will be buzzing with lots of outdoor activities from Stand Up Paddleboarding and Sunrise Dips, to Hikes, Forest Bathing, Samhradh’s Sauna at Dundag, a Mindfulness Hike, and Rock Climbing in the Gap of Dunloe, showcasing our treasured natural amenities at their best for locals and visitors alike to experience and enjoy. It’s such a great opportunity to try something new!
The Festival kicked off this morning with the Nature Valley Hike with Roz Purcell and over the three days there are over 120 events both in the National Park and in town so there is something for everyone! Over 2,500 are expected to take part in events over the three days. More than 40 of the events are already sold out but tickets are still available for many activities.
The expanded evening programme includes seanchaí story-telling fireside chats with well-known adventurers, and an intimate concert with Bressie and Special Guests in St Mary’s Church of Ireland.
The festival offers events to revitalise the body, mind, and soul of every adventurer and outdoor lover. The Wellness Hub based in the Anam Cultural Arts Centre promises to bring calm to all who attend one of the many well-being events, whether you’re interested in herbal medicine, mindset, energy health, breathwork and more. There’s also a Vision Boarding Workshop with fashion designer and influencer Aoife McNamara and Killarney’s own KellyKali Yoga as well as a host of yoga activities.
Basecamp at Kenmare Place (pedestrianised during the day on Saturday and Sunday) will be buzzing all weekend with street food vendors, performances and people coming and going to activities. There’ll be musical performances and fun activities including Cyclextric!
There are also plenty of family-friendly events, ensuring a fun-filled weekend for all. For the kids, there are Gruffalo hunts, digital treasure hunts, musical master classes, family yoga and more.
Pat Chawke, Chairperson of Wander Wild Festival, said, "We are very excited for this weekend's festival. We have expanded the programme to cater to a wide range of interests. We encourage everyone to explore their home town in a new way by participating in one of the 100 events we have on offer. Basecamp will be the heart of the action over the weekend, so be sure to come along and enjoy some street entertainment. We’d like to thank all of our volunteers who have put so much into organising this weekend and all the local activity providers and businesses who have supported us in showcasing Killarney as the Outdoor capital of Ireland. This is a fantastic opportunity for our town."
Wander Wild Festival is sponsored by Nature Valley and supported by 53 Degrees North, Fáilte Ireland, Kerry County Council, Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce and the National Park and Wildlife Service.
Killarney resident Alexandra Mae Gemeniano has been announced as an official finalist for Miss Universe Ireland 2026.
The announcement was made at the national competition’s summer launch party, which took place last week at Bewley’s Café Theatre on Grafton Street in Dublin.
Alexandra (43) is originally from the Philippines and moved to Ireland with her family when she was 17. She became an Irish citizen in 2011. After living and working in the UK for 14 years, she returned to Killarney to be closer to her family and currently works in the beauty industry.
The launch event marked the official start of the selection process to find Ireland’s representative for the global Miss Universe competition. The current title holder is 19-year-old Aadya Srivastava from Galway.
The national final is scheduled to take place on Saturday 20th June at the Bonnington Hotel in Dublin. The winner will represent Ireland at the 75th annual Miss Universe global final, where the reigning Miss Universe, Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico, will crown her successor.
Three Killarney businesswomen were among the top winners at the 10th anniversary Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards, held at The Rose Hotel, Tralee, on Friday, June 5.
Carina Audley, founder of Killarney-based event styling firm The Event Edit, was named Kerry Business Woman for Services. The award recognizes her work growing the business from a personal concept into a highly successful premium event styling and mobile childcare provider working with leading venues across the county.
There was double celebration for Killarney sisters Hayley and Terrie Murphy.
Legacy Elite Cheerleaders coach Hayley Murphy won the Champion of Diversity and Inclusion award, capping off a hectic week where her athletes secured multiple solo, stunt, and team podium finishes at the Summer Flip Out Championships in Galway. Her sister, Terrie Murphy of Sorella Berries, claimed the Food Generation/Manufacture award.
Alexandra Mae Gemeniano announced as Miss Universe Ireland finalist
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