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)