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!