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Killarney goes wild for adventure

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3 years ago

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Photo: Michelle Cooper Galvin

Last weekend's Wander Wild Festival was a huge success with double the amount of event bookings on last year.

Base Camp for the Wander Wild Festival Killarney, at the Church of the sloes, St Mary's Church of Ireland, town centre. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PIC***Issued 26/03/2023

Earthly sounds...Donal and Una Dowd, and Breda O'Farrell experiencing 'the Garden of Unearthly Delights' installation by Artist, Augustine Leuder - which is an immersive 3D sound installation around the blue pool in the heart of Cloghereen Nature trail, Killarney National Park, as part of the Wander Wild Outdoor Festival at the weekend in Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PICS*** ISSUED 26/03/2023

Earthly sounds... 'the Garden of Unearthly Delights' installation by Artist, Augustine Leuder - which is an immersive 3D sound installation around the blue pool in the heart of Cloghereen Nature trail, Killarney National Park, as part of the Wander Wild Outdoor Festival at the weekend in Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PICS*** ISSUED 26/03/2023

Earthly sounds... 'the Garden of Unearthly Delights' installation by Artist, Augustine Leuder - which is an immersive 3D sound installation around the blue pool in the heart of Cloghereen Nature trail, Killarney National Park, as part of the Wander Wild Outdoor Festival at the weekend in Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Earthly sounds... 'the Garden of Unearthly Delights' installation by Artist, Augustine Leuder - which is an immersive 3D sound installation around the blue pool in the heart of Cloghereen Nature trail, Killarney National Park, as part of the Wander Wild Outdoor Festival at the weekend in Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PICS*** ISSUED 26/03/2023

Earthly sounds... 'the Garden of Unearthly Delights' installation by Artist, Augustine Leuder - which is an immersive 3D sound installation around the blue pool in the heart of Cloghereen Nature trail, Killarney National Park, as part of the Wander Wild Outdoor Festival at the weekend in Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PICS*** ISSUED 26/03/2023

Let it rain..Pupils from MACademy Performing arts school, Killarney performing at the opening ceremony of Wander Wild Festival, in Killarney, on Friday evening. The adventure and wellness festival continues until Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PIC**

Don't let it rain on our parade...Chairman of Wander Wild Festival Killarney, Pat Chawke, being shielded from the rain by Conor Hennigan, Wander Wild Festival, at the opening ceremony on Friday evening. The adventure and wellness festival continues until Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PIC**

Cathaoirleach Killarney Municipal District, Cllr Niall Kelleher, being shielded from the rain by Conor Hennigan, Wander Wild Festival, at the opening ceremony of the Wander Wild Outdoor Festival in Killarney town on Friday evening. The adventure and wellness festival continues until Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PIC**

Rain Dance...Mark Clifford at Celtic Steps, performing in the rain at the Wander Wild Festival opening ceremony in Killarney town on Friday evening. The adventure and wellness festival continues until Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PIC**

Rain Dance...Peig O'Connor of Celtic Steps, performing in the rain at the Wander Wild Festival opening ceremony in Killarnet town on Friday evening. The adventure and wellness festival continues until Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PIC**

Rain Dance...Peig O'Connor of Celtic Steps, performing in the rain at the Wander Wild Festival opening ceremony in Killarnet town on Friday evening. The adventure and wellness festival continues until Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PIC**

No getting away from the rain at the Wander Wild Festival opening ceremony in Killarney town on Friday evening. The adventure and wellness festival continues until Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PIC**

Donal Dowd right, and Colm O'Halloran, at the opening ceremony of the Wander WIld Festival in Killarney town on Friday evening. The adventure and wellness festival continues until Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PIC**

Never mind the weather...David Rea of Celtic Steps and his troupe of musicians and dancers, with MC Kieran Healy, making the most of the terrible rain, at the Wander Wild Festival opening ceremony in Killarney town on Friday evening. The adventure and wellness festival continues until Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PIC**

Never mind the weather...David Rea of Celtic Steps and his troupe of musicians and dancers, with MC Kieran Healy, making the most of the terrible rain, at the Wander Wild Festival opening ceremony in Killarney town on Friday evening. The adventure and wellness festival continues until Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PIC**

Never mind the weather...David Rea of Celtic Steps and his troupe of musicians and dancers, with MC Kieran Healy, making the most of the terrible rain, at the Wander Wild Festival opening ceremony in Killarney town on Friday evening. The adventure and wellness festival continues until Sunday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PIC**

Green fingers...Jennifer Pyne at Ireland’s first hospitality hydroponic urban farm in Killarney as part of Wander Wild Festival foodie tour, tasting local artisan produce and exploring Killarney's new and very vibrant local food scene as part of the Wander Wild Festival which ran over the weekend. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PIC***Issued 26/03/2023

Louise Cronin, at Ireland’s first hospitality hydroponic urban farm in Killarney as part of Wander Wild Festival foodie tour, tasting local artisan produce and exploring Killarney's new and very vibrant local food scene as part of the Wander Wild Festival which ran over the weekend. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PIC***Issued 26/03/2023

Emily Treacy of Luna, Killarney, greeting guests as part of Wander Wild Festival foodie tour, tasting local artisan produce and exploring Killarney's new and very vibrant local food scene as part of the Wander Wild Festival which ran over the weekend. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PIC***Issued 26/03/2023

Emily Treacy of Luna, Killarney, with FIlm&Documentary Maker, Adrian McCarthy and his wife Grace, part of Wander Wild Festival foodie tour, tasting local artisan produce and exploring Killarney's new and very vibrant local food scene as part of the Wander Wild Festival which ran over the weekend. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PIC***Issued 26/03/2023

Lak Shana of the Tanyard Restaurant, Killarney Plaza Hotel, greeting guests, part of Wander Wild Festival foodie tour, tasting local artisan produce and exploring Killarney's new and very vibrant local food scene as part of the Wander Wild Festival which ran over the weekend. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PIC***Issued 26/03/2023

The town was buzzing all weekend, especially around Basecamp at St Mary's Church. Locals and visitors alike enjoyed the huge range of activities that were on offer, from relaxing yoga to adventurous steep ground masterclasses on Carrauntoohil. It all kicked off with the Nature Valley Mangerton Hike with Roz Purcell on Friday.

Even the challenging weather didn't dampen spirits of those who joined the hiking enthusiast for the climb. Two sold out screenings of local director Adrian McCarthy's film featuring adventurer Kevin Leahy (Black Sheep Hostel) were a huge success. On Saturday morning, the sunrise dip started off a busy day of activities on the lakes, mountains, in the National Park and around town.

Samhradh's Sauna at Dundag was very popular with locals and visitors alike, giving everyone a unique experience at the popular swim spot. The varied kids programme proved very popular and younger kids really enjoyed the Kids Zone.

"We are thrilled with how everything went," Pat Chawke, Chairperson of the Wander Wild Festival organising committee, said.

"The town and the National Park were buzzing all weekend. The feedback from those who took part has been incredibly positive, from locals who rediscovered what the National Park has to offer, to visitors who were blown away by the beauty and the amenities. Seeing people embrace nature and enjoy new and sometimes challenging events was really encouraging. There were some real standout moments such as the sunrise dips, the Wim Hof Workshops, The Garden of Unearthly delights at the Blue Pool, the foodie tour, and Mundy's outstanding performance in St Mary's Church of Ireland, to name but a few.

He said he'd like to thank the committee who gave so much of their time for free over the last few months to put the festival together.

"Without their dedication there wouldn't be a festival. We are indebted to our sponsors and local activity providers for working so closely with us to provide unique memorable experience for people. And of course, to our supporters, whose assistance is vital - the NPWS, Nature Valley, Fáilte Ireland, Killarney Chamber of Commerce and Kerry County Council. We are already planning for next year with plans to grow it even bigger."

Put March 22-24 in your diary for Wander Wild Festival 2024!

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Chamber pays tribute to late Dick Henggeler

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has expressed condolences following the death of Dick Henggeler, the well-known owner of The Rose Hotel in Tralee. Mr Henggeler passed away peacefully at […]

Published

10 hours ago

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16 October 2025

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Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has expressed condolences following the death of Dick Henggeler, the well-known owner of The Rose Hotel in Tralee.

Mr Henggeler passed away peacefully at his home in Baltimore, USA surrounded by his Aghadoe-born wife Eibhlin (née Moriarty), their son Franz, and other family members.
Dick and Eibhlin purchased The Rose Hotel in 2015 in tribute to their late daughter Dorothy, who represented Washington DC in the 2011 Rose of Tralee Festival.
The Chamber said Mr Henggeler would be remembered for his warmth, good nature and positive approach, as well as for being a forward-thinking and knowledgeable businessman.
“He knew how to run a good hotel and that was and still is very obvious at The Rose Hotel, which is a great success story,” the Chamber said.
It added that continuity of ownership will remain in place, with Eibhlin, Franz, daughter-in-law Amber, and grandchildren Conrad and Rowan continuing to honour Dick’s legacy and vision for the hotel.
“Dick took enormous personal pride in Tralee and all of Kerry and he was always available to generously support any community initiative or endeavour undertaken in Killarney,” the Chamber said.
“He will be greatly missed by all that knew him but he leaves a wonderful legacy.”

He will repose at O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Killarney, on Friday (October 17), from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. The funeral will arrive at St Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday morning at 10:00am for Requiem Mass at 10:30am, with burial afterwards in Aghadoe Cemetery. The Requiem Mass will be live streamed at https://www.churchservices.tv/killarneycathedral.

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Beaufort Film Night returns with French drama-comedy

Beaufort Film Night will return on Friday (October 17) at Cullina National School, with a screening of the French drama-comedy The Marching Band. The film tells the story of Thibaut, […]

Published

11 hours ago

on

16 October 2025

By

Beaufort Film Night will return on Friday (October 17) at Cullina National School, with a screening of the French drama-comedy The Marching Band.

The film tells the story of Thibaut, a successful conductor recently diagnosed with leukaemia. A search for a bone marrow donor reveals that he was adopted and has a brother, Jimmy, a cafeteria worker.
The two meet, discover a shared love of music, and form a strong bond through an unexpected collaboration with Jimmy’s workplace band.
The Marching Band (French title En Fanfare) will screen at 8.30pm. Admission is €7, cash only, and will cover the motion picture licence fee.
The film has a 12A rating and is in French with English subtitles.
Beaufort Film Night is a non-profit community group that screens cultural English and international films that usually do not receive general release in Kerry.
The event is supported by Kerry County Council Arts Office and Access Cinema. Cullina National School is providing the venue.
Further details are available on Beaufort Film Night’s Facebook page @BeaufortFilmNight.

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