News
Killarney goes wild for adventure
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
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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Fassbender ready for second Le Mans appearance
Local Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender is in the final preparation stages for his second appearance at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. The iconic endurance race is celebrating its […]
Local Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender is in the final preparation stages for his second appearance at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The iconic endurance race is celebrating its 100th edition next weekend.
The Fossa star has already arrived in the famous French twon where he is involved in a week-long series of engagements including drivers’ parades, autograph sessions and more serious appointments like car safety checks, practice and qualifying.
Like last year, when he finished 16th in the LMGTE Am class, Fassbender has been entered in to the event by the German Proton Competition team with Estonian Martin Rump and the Austrian Richard Lietz.
Fassbender dreams of following the trajectory of fellow Hollywood actors Patrick Dempsey who was second in LMGTE Am class in 2016 and Paul Newman who finished second overall in 1979.
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Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections
Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]
Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.
Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.
The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.
Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.
Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.
She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.
“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”
In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.
In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.
last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History – Irish Life and Lore’.
During the broadcast she talked about her parents’ membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.
This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.
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