The annual Killarney National Park Autumn Talks Series returns for its 38th year on Thursday, October 8, at Killarney House Auditorium

The series will run every Thursday evening at 8.00pm for six weeks. Admission to the venue is free, with seating available on a first-come basis.

All presentations will also be live-streamed online via the official Killarney National Park Facebook page.

Organiser and recently retired NPWS Conservation Ranger Padruig O’Sullivan spoke about the continued popularity of the event.

“The success of the talks is the incredible engagement with our community and in recent years, live-streaming the events has greatly enhanced the experience with audiences joining us from all parts of the globe,” O’Sullivan said.

“The diversity of speakers stemming from every walk of life with challenging and engaging topics, always an invaluable source of new information to share,” O’Sullivan added.

Award-winning photographer James Crombie opens the series on October 8 with a talk on starling murmurations at Lough Ennell.

Other topics across the six-week schedule include native pollinators, sustainability initiatives at Dinis Cottage, the legacy of Kenmare House, and research into ash and elm conservation.

A key highlight occurs on October 29, when Professor Pádraig Ó Macháin of UCC delivers a presentation on The Annals of Innisfallen, the 1,000-year-old manuscript documenting early Irish history from InnisfallenIsland.

Event Schedule

Date & Time Subject SpeakerThurs
Oct 8 (8.00pm) Starling MurmurationsJames Crombie (PPI Press Photographer of the Year)

Thurs Oct 15 (8.00pm) Native Honey Bees and Pollinators Prof. Grace McCormack (University of Galway)
Thurs Oct 22 (8.00pm) Dinis Cottage: Going Green Kerry Corkery (Sustainability Engineer, TEM)
Thurs Oct 29 (8.00pm) Exploring the Annals of Innisfallen Prof. Pádraig Ó Macháin (Professor of Modern Irish, UCC)
Thurs Nov 5 (8.00pm)Shadows of Splendour: 300 years of Kenmare House Rachel Kavanagh (Killarney House)
Thurs Nov 12 (8.00pm)Securing the Future of Ireland’s Ash and Elm Dr. Dheeraj Rathore (Senior Research Officer, Teagasc)

The 27th annual Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) takes place across Killarney from October 15 to 18, bringing a major line-up of Irish and international feature films, documentaries, short film programmes, and industry events to local venues.

Opening night features the drama Whitetail, directed by Nanouk Leopold and filmed on location in Kenmare and surrounding areas. Starring Natasha O’Keeffe and Andrew Bennett, the film screens at Cinema Killarney on Thursday, October 15, at 7.30pm.

The four-day event closes on Sunday evening with the Irish premiere of Fatherland, directed by Cannes award-winner Paweł Pawlikowski, screening at Cinema Killarney at 5.30pm.

Additional programme highlights include Czech Republic as the 2026 Country of Focus, new Irish feature films, family screenings, and a series of free community events.

Festival tickets and venue passes are on sale through kerryfilmfestival.com and at the Cinema Killarney box office.

Highlights at KIFF 2026

Local storytelling and Kerry locations feature prominently in this year’s festival schedule.

Alongside the Kenmare-shot opening drama Whitetail, the programme includes a special archive presentation, IFI Local Films for Local People: 100 Years of Kerry on Film, offered as a free event bringing historical footage back to local screens.

Local filmmaker Mieke Vanmechelen co-directs IMMRÁM, a documentary exploring indigenous Irish identity and customs. The ever-popular Kerry Connection short film strand also returns, showcasing local crew and directors from across the county.

For families, a relaxed screening of Cartoon Saloon’s Song of the Sea will take place, followed by a live drawing workshop at ANAM led by local artist Daniel Horgan O’Connell.

Ticket Information

Screenings and industry events will run across multiple locations in Killarney throughout the festival.

IMC Cinema Killarney: Feature screenings (€9) and Short Film strands (€7)

St. Mary’s Church of the Sloes: Screenings and presentations (€5)

ANAM Arts & Cultural Centre: Workshops and family events (Free)

Special Event Venues: Killarney Plaza Hotel, Courtney’s Bar, Randles Hotel, and The Great Southern Hotel

An All-Access Pass is available for €70, alongside a 5-Film Bundle for €30. Tickets can be booked at kerryfilmfestival.com.