The Killarney National Park Education Centre has announced the return of the ‘Step into Spring’ – Céim Isteach san Earrach festival for 2026. Running from Friday, April 10, to Sunday, April 12, the programme features a series of free events designed to celebrate the season of growth and rejuvenation within the park grounds.

The weekend begins on Friday evening with an illustrated talk on the woodlands of Killarney National Park by Chris Barron, followed by a nocturnal nature ramble led by the education team. Saturday’s highlights include the annual Dawn Chorus guided walk and bird ringing demonstration starting at 5:45 am in Knockreer Demesne, led by Ed Carty, Dr Killian Kelly of MTU, and the SWI bird ringers.

Historical and botanical walks are also scheduled throughout the weekend. Dr Tracy Collins, OPW Archaeologist, will lead guided tours of Muckross Abbey on Saturday and Innisfallen Island on Sunday. Other expert-led sessions include a look at the spring flowers of Muckross Peninsula with Dr Therese Higgins, a tour of the Muckross Arboretum with former Park Superintendent Cormac Foley, and a talk on Ireland’s National Seed Bank by Dr Darren Reidy.

The festival concludes on Sunday with a boat trip to Innisfallen Island and a “Reading the Landscape” walk through Knockreer Demesne with Horacio Presto of the NPWS. While all events are free of charge, organizers have noted that pre-booking is essential due to limited capacity.

Step into Spring Schedule 2026

DateTimeEventFriday 10th7:30 pmWoodlands of Killarney Talk (Chris Barron)
8:45 pmNocturnal Nature Ramble (KNP Team)
Saturday 11th5:45 amDawn Chorus & Bird Ringing (Knockreer)
11:00 amHistory of Muckross Abbey (Dr Tracy Collins)
11:30 amSpring Flowers of Muckross (Dr Therese Higgins)
2:30 pmMuckross Arboretum Walk (Cormac Foley)
7:30 pmIreland’s National Seed Bank Talk (Dr Darren Reidy)
Sunday 12th10:00 amHistory of Innisfallen Talk (Dr Tracy Collins)
1:30 pmInnisfallen Boat Trip & Guided Walk
2:00 pmReading the Landscape (Horacio Presto)

The Kerry Hospice Foundation is appealing to cyclists taking part in the 2026 Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle to choose the foundation as their designated charity.

The iconic 170km event is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, and remains a vital source of funding for palliative care services across the county.
The foundation was recently confirmed as one of the six Tier 1 main beneficiaries for this year’s cycle. Funds raised by participants will go directly toward a major €6.5 million expansion of the specialist palliative care inpatient unit. Work has already begun on adding five new bedrooms and enhanced family support facilities to meet the growing demand for end-of-life care in Kerry.
Since opening its 15-bed unit in 2017, the facility has consistently operated at full capacity, prompting the foundation to fast-track these latest development plans.
“Each year thousands of cyclists take on this iconic route around the Ring of Kerry. It would be amazing if you can do so, while raising essential funds that help us provide Palliative Care and support to patients and their families throughout Kerry and beyond,” a foundation spokesperson said.
“This is where we need your help. We would love it if you can cycle for us; if this isn’t practical, please support us in the form of sponsorship or other direct contributions.”
Registration for the event is now live at www.ringofkerrycycle.ie. When signing up, cyclists have the option to select the Kerry Hospice Foundation as their chosen beneficiary to ensure 100% of their voluntary donations go toward the local hospice project.

Cyclists urged to support Kerry Hospice in 2026 Ring of Kerry Cycle

The Kerry Hospice Foundation is appealing to cyclists taking part in the 2026 Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle to choose the foundation as their designated charity.

The iconic 170km event is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, and remains a vital source of funding for palliative care services across the county.
The foundation was recently confirmed as one of the six Tier 1 main beneficiaries for this year’s cycle. Funds raised by participants will go directly toward a major €6.5 million expansion of the specialist palliative care inpatient unit. Work has already begun on adding five new bedrooms and enhanced family support facilities to meet the growing demand for end-of-life care in Kerry.
Since opening its 15-bed unit in 2017, the facility has consistently operated at full capacity, prompting the foundation to fast-track these latest development plans.
“Each year thousands of cyclists take on this iconic route around the Ring of Kerry. It would be amazing if you can do so, while raising essential funds that help us provide Palliative Care and support to patients and their families throughout Kerry and beyond,” a foundation spokesperson said.
“This is where we need your help. We would love it if you can cycle for us; if this isn’t practical, please support us in the form of sponsorship or other direct contributions.”
Registration for the event is now live at www.ringofkerrycycle.ie. When signing up, cyclists have the option to select the Kerry Hospice Foundation as their chosen beneficiary to ensure 100% of their voluntary donations go toward the local hospice project.