Spring welcomed with trad music at Muckross House

A special musical celebration titled ‘St. Brigid and the Arrival of Spring’ took place recently in the great hall of Muckross House.

The event, presented by the Muckross House Research Library on behalf of the Trustees, featured performances by world-famous tin whistle player Mary Bergin, master harper Kathleen Loughnane, and fiddle and bouzouki player Mick Conneely.
The evening included a repertoire of jigs, reels, and slow airs. During the performance, Kathleen Loughnane shared historical insights into the Belfast Harp Festival of 1792, where Edward Bunting recorded ancient tunes to preserve them. She also highlighted the story of a North Kerry man named Lyons who served as the harper to Lord Antrim.
Former Mayor of Killarney, Michael Gleeson, was among the attendees and praised the event for its informative and enjoyable atmosphere. He noted that the music helped dispel the gloom of recent weather and extended his thanks to Patricia and the organizing team.
The performers brought distinguished backgrounds to the Killarney stage. Mary Bergin, originally from Dublin and now living in Connemara, received an Honorary Doctorate from UCD in 2022. Kathleen Loughnane, a native of

Killarney’s tourism industry is set to receive a first look at the national strategy for “home holidays” as Fáilte Ireland prepares to unveil a major new creative direction for 2026.

Local hotel owners, tour operators, and business leaders will join an industry webinar on Tuesday, March 3, where the roadmap for domestic tourism will be formally revealed.

The briefing comes at a pivotal time for the local economy, as Killarney remains a primary destination for the Irish market.

Fáilte Ireland will present fresh research into the motivations and decision-making habits of Irish consumers, providing local businesses with the data needed to capture the short-break market for the upcoming season.

The webinar will move beyond simple advertising, offering a preview of a new campaign designed to fuel sustainable tourism growth.

This strategy aims to encourage visitors to look beyond traditional peak periods and explore regional offerings, a move that could significantly impact Killarney’s shoulder seasons and mid-week trade.

Participants will receive in-depth insights into what the modern Irish traveler looks for in a domestic short break.

There will also be a preview of the creative content used to inspire audiences across national media and practical instructions on how Killarney businesses can sync their own advertising efforts with the national drive.

The 30-minute briefing is expected to set the tone for how Killarney is marketed to the rest of the country for the remainder of 2026. The event is scheduled for 3:00pm next Tuesday and registration is open to all local tourism stakeholders.