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Wander Wild Festival announces expansions for 2026

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The organisers of the Wander Wild Festival have officially announced a significant expansion to this year’s schedule, introducing over 40 brand-new activities for the upcoming event. Running from April 17 to 19, Ireland’s premier outdoor, culture, and wellness festival will now feature more than 160 immersive experiences.

Set within the 26,000-acre UNESCO-protected Killarney National Park, the festival continues to establish itself as a national leader in nature-based adventure and community connection.

The latest wave of announcements introduces a diverse mix of high-energy mountain adventures and intimate cultural performances.

Among the standout new additions is a Social Summit of Mangerton led by Tadgh O’Brien, alongside a special screening of Ellie Berry’s short film which documents her world-record achievement of climbing all 275 Irish mountains over 600m. For those looking to sharpen their technical skills, the 2026 programme includes a mountain scrambling masterclass on some of the country's most challenging ridges and a trail-running masterclass hosted by Irish International runner Matthew McConnell.

Heritage and nature remain central to the festival’s identity. New experiences for this year include a Monastic Ruins tour, temperate woodland and waterfall explorations, and wild-food foraging workshops.

Those seeking a unique perspective on the park's landscape can join Killian Buckley to explore the hidden mountain valleys of The Horses Glen or participate in a Dawn Chorus Walk to experience the natural symphony of the park at daybreak.

Culture and connection are further highlighted through new collaborations. The "Echoes of Earth and Water" event combines a traditional boat journey with a guided walk, while the TAWLA Collective will host "Supper & Stories," an intimate dining experience inspired by the flavours of Palestine, Egypt, and Lebanon.

As evening approaches, the festival's atmosphere shifts toward music and storytelling. Kean Kavanagh is set to perform at St Mary’s Church, while a series of "Fireside Chats" will feature guests like Chris Barrett and members of the How to Gael trio sharing stories of resilience and exploration.

Families are also a primary focus this year with an expanded ‘Wildlings’ schedule. New family-oriented activities include a folklore walk with author Barry Coleman, Yoga Óige, and nature-themed LEGO workshops.

These join returning favourites such as Gruffalo adventure hunts and family orienteering.

These new additions complement over 120 established festival favourites, including the Dark Sky Hike, "Rave ar Róthar" cycling disco, and the lakeside sauna experience at Dundag.

Organisers remain committed to a low-impact, eco-friendly ethos, encouraging attendees to choose sustainable travel and accommodation.

With ticket prices ranging from €10 to €95 and several free events available, early booking is strongly recommended via wanderwildfestival.com following the sell-out success of previous years.

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Céilí Mór will send ‘em home sweatin’

It will be a case of all around the house but mind the dresser at a traditional Céilí Mór which will be one of the real entertainment highlights of this […]

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It will be a case of all around the house but mind the dresser at a traditional Céilí Mór which will be one of the real entertainment highlights of this year’s St Patrick’s Festival in Killarney.

It will take place on the eve of the big feast day in the Killarney Great Southern and there will be a wonderful party atmosphere guaranteed on the night.
Providing the tunes will be the very highly regarded Uí Bhriaín Céilí Band and they promise to send everybody home sweating after what will be a memorable night for locals and visitors.
The March 16 céilí will commence at 9.00pm and continue right through until midnight and the admission for a wonderful night of pure Irish trad is just €10.00.
Bookings can be made on the festival website or patrons can pay at the door on the night.

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St Brendan’s student Aodhagan O’Sullivan crowned CPR champion

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Aodhagan O’Sullivan, a student at St Brendan’s College, Killarney, has been named the 2026 School CPR Challenge Champion.

The prestigious award was presented on Thursday, 26 February, during a large-scale event at the Gleneagle Hotel, where approximately 300 students from post-primary schools across the county gathered to compete for the title of “who can compress the best.”


Now in its fourth year, the event is organised by the Killarney Cardiac Response Unit (KCRU) Community First Responders.

The KCRU is a volunteer-led group that provides vital emergency response services to Killarney, Beaufort, Killorglin, Firies, Rathmore, and Kenmare.

The challenge focused on “Quality CPR” (QCPR), combining a high-stakes competition with practical life-saving training and the chance for students to engage directly with local emergency and community services.


The competition utilised advanced QCPR technology to measure the depth and rate of compressions, ensuring that students aren’t just learning the motions, but are performing life-saving techniques to a clinical standard.

Beyond the competitive element, the day served as an educational hub, highlighting the “chain of survival” and the importance of immediate bystander intervention in the event of a cardiac arrest.


The 2026 challenge was made possible through the support of the Vodafone Foundation, The Gleneagle Hotel, and First Aid Systems Ltd, alongside a variety of local sponsors. Organisers praised the enthusiasm of the 300 participants, noting that such events are essential for building a “heart-safe” community and equipping the next generation with the skills to save a life.

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