News
Plans to establish Killarney as a gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way
KILLARNEY GATEWAY: Fáilte Ireland works with local industry to establish Killarney as a Gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way. Pictured at the meeting which took place at the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney were: Cathaoirleach Killarney Municipal District, Cllr Michael Gleeson, Chief Executive Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell, Pat Dawson (Manager Killarney House and Gardens), Niamh O'Shea (Killarney Park Hotel), Miriam Kennedy (Failte Ireland), Bernadette Randles (Dromhall Hotel), Mike Buckley (Kerry Coaches), Danielle Favier (Fáilte Ireland), Ettienne Van Vrede (Great Southern Killarney), Timmy O'Donoghue (Killarney Brewing Company), Josephine O'Driscoll (Fáilte Ireland), Ollie Favier (The Shire Bar/4th July Festival), Paul O'Neill (O'Donoghue Ring Hotels) and Conor Hennegan (Tourism Consultant). Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
Progress was made on Friday to develop Killarney as a Gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way.
Fáilte Ireland met with key stakeholders and businesses to discuss the next steps for the strategy that will establish Killarney as a gateway town for visitors exploring the Wild Atlantic Way.
Killarney was chosen as one of two pilot towns/cities to test the Wild Atlantic Way Gateway concept alongside Limerick City over a three-year period. The Killarney Wild Atlantic Way Gateway Strategy will be finalised later this year, with recommendations and actions for local industry from 2020 – 2022.
The meeting took place at the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney and was attended by members of the Killarney tourism industry, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, the local authority, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Irish Hotel’s Federation and local industry representatives, who are all part of a Steering Group for the Killarney Wild Atlantic Way Gateway Strategy.
Killarney was identified by Fáilte Ireland as a Wild Atlantic Way Gateway as it offers visitors a broad range of accommodation, a wide variety of day time visitor attractions and activities, plenty of restaurants and evening entertainment and it is a main transport hub for the area.
“Kerry has already benefitted enormously from the Wild Atlantic Way but we need to continue to harness its potential and focus on trying to grow and build on that success year on year with new projects and initiatives,” Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD said. “With its proximity to the Wild Atlantic Way route and so much to offer visitors, Killarney is the perfect base.”
Bernadette Randles, a local hotelier and Chairperson of the Irish Hotels Federation Kerry branch, who is a member of the Killarney Wild Atlantic Way Gateway Strategy Steering Group, added that the Wild Atlantic Way has been a phenomenal success.
“This strategy is a great opportunity for tourism businesses to capitalise on the popularity of the route by enticing visitors to come to Killarney and Kerry, stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants and experience everything the town has to offer.”
ANAM Centre launches packed summer cultural programme for locals and visitors
Kerry County Council’s Arts Service, in association with the Killarney Arts Working Group, has officially launched the 2026 ANAM Summer Arts Programme (ASAP).
The dedicated arts and cultural space on East Avenue Road is set to host a vibrant mix of live music, theatre, film, and youth competitions designed to appeal to both local residents and tourists throughout the peak holiday season.
The summer lineup aims to provide artists with critical platforms to showcase their work while giving audiences accessible opportunities to experience live art. Councillor Martin O’Grady noted that the programme includes a multitude of performances, offering an important platform for all ages to enjoy the arts. Mary Murphy of the Killarney Arts Working Group added that utilizing the ANAM space successfully draws new audiences to the Killarney arts scene.
Featured events include “Bog Jazz,” an innovative project by musicians Eoin ‘Stan’ O’Sullivan and Shane Murphy that reworks traditional Sliabh Luachra fiddle music using electric guitar and drums. Additionally, Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence Aidan Connolly will lead a two-night concert series in late July alongside Bryan O’Leary, Colm Guilfoyle, and Charlie O’Brien, exploring the unique history, songs, and folklore of the region.
The programme also features “The Anam Sessions,” a series of five free bi-weekly evening concerts directed by Tim O’Shea. These sessions will showcase emerging local talent across Irish folk, singer-songwriter, and Afro-Irish genres. For younger musicians, the popular “Battle of the Bands” competition returns in August. Organised in partnership with Music Generation Kerry, it will feature separate junior and senior categories to highlight local youth talent.
The summer performance series is fully sponsored by the Kerry Arts Service. For further queries, the public can contact arts@kerrycoco.ie or call 066 7183541.
ANAM Summer Arts Event Calendar
Traditional and Folk Music (The Anam Sessions with Tim O’Shea) Dates: ; Wednesday, July 15; Wednesday, July 29; Wednesday, August 12; Wednesday, August 26 Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Sliabh Luachra Traditional Music Concert Series (Aidan Connolly and Guests) Dates: Wednesday, July 29; Thursday, July 30 Time: 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Battle of the Bands (Senior Competition) Dates: Friday, August 7; Friday, August 14; Friday, August 21; Friday, August 28 Time: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Battle of the Bands (Junior Competition) Dates: Sunday, August 9; Sunday, August 16; Sunday, August 23; Sunday, August 30 Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Bog Jazz Performance (Eoin O’Sullivan & Shane Murphy) Date: Thursday, August 20 Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
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