Excitement is building in Killarney as Ablefest returns on Sunday from 12pm to 4pm at the St Patrick’s Festival Hub at Beech Road Carpark.

Now in its second year, the inclusive festival is set to be bigger, brighter and bursting with even more fun, laughter and community spirit.

Ablefest is all about celebrating inclusion and creating a welcoming space for people of all abilities, along with their families, friends and supporters.

For four fun-filled hours the hub will come alive with music, creativity and plenty of opportunities to dance, play and make memories together.

From toe-tapping tunes to hands-on activities, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
Among the highlights will be live entertainment, including a headline performance from Jake Carter and his band.

Festivalgoers can also enjoy a Silent Disco, drumming sessions, face painting, puppet shows and sensory-friendly spaces — ensuring that every visitor can join the fun in a way that suits them.

With so much happening, Ablefest promises magical moments around every corner and plenty of reasons to get into the festival groove.

The launch at Killarney Leisure Centre on Thursday was also a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on the Kerry Stars athletes who will represent the county at the Special Olympics Summer Games in Dublin this June.

Luke Scollard from Scartaglen takes part in athletics, therapeutic horse riding and swimming with the Kerry Stars.

At the Summer Games he will compete in the 4K Shot Put and the 200m run, where he’ll be hoping to really throw down the gauntlet and sprint for success.

Joe Buckley from Faha is involved in athletics, basketball and soccer with the club. Joe will be taking to the track and field in Dublin where he will compete in the 100m sprint and mini javelin — proving he’s ready to go the distance and make his mark.

Caoimhe Brosnan from Kilcummin participates in athletics, basketball, soccer and swimming with the Kerry Stars.

At the Summer Games she will compete in the 25m freestyle and 25m backstroke, where she will undoubtedly make a splash for Kerry.

Sophie Twiss from Miltown enjoys therapeutic horse riding and swimming with the Kerry Stars. Sophie will also be competing in swimming at the Summer Games, taking part in two events as she prepares to dive into the action in Dublin.

The launch event highlighted not only the upcoming festival but also the incredible talent, determination and team spirit of the Kerry Stars athletes.

Their achievements perfectly capture the heart of what Ablefest is all about – participation, celebration and making sure everyone has their moment to shine.

As the countdown begins, organisers are encouraging everyone to come along, soak up the atmosphere and join the celebration.

For more information, log onto the St Patrick’s Day Festival website and click on Ablefest. 

The all-new battery electric Toyota C-HR+ has officially arrived at Kelliher’s Toyota Tralee, marking a significant expansion of the brand’s electric vehicle lineup in Kerry.

To celebrate the launch, the dealership is hosting a dedicated test drive event running until March 21, allowing local motorists to experience the new model first-hand.

The C-HR+ features a 77 kWh battery that provides a competitive driving range of up to 606km on a single charge.

Toyota is backing this technology with its Electric Battery Extended Care Program, which offers coverage for up to 10 years or one million kilometres, provided the vehicle undergoes an annual battery health check.

This includes a guarantee that the battery will retain at least 70% of its capacity over the 10-year period, supported by the original eight-year manufacturing warranty.

Pricing for the new electric model starts at €42,160 or from €374 per month through Toyota Easy PCP Finance.

For the month of March, Kelliher’s is offering an introductory incentive where customers can choose between a €2,000 Trade-In Booster or a low 3.9% APR finance rate.

The team at Kelliher’s noted that this model combines the established design language of the C-HR with the latest EV innovations, making it a viable option for both daily commutes and longer journeys across the county.

Motorists interested in the new electric SUV can book a test drive via the dealership website or by visiting the Tralee showroom during the event.