Kerry – Festivals & Events

2008

Co. Kerry traditional music session and Annual Horse Fair at Castleisland

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
When: 17th March.
Where: Killarney, Co Kerry.
What: Festival and parade honoring the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick.
More info: Tel: +353 (0) 64 34594 or 34506

Samhlaíocht, Kerry Easter Arts Festival and Bumble Bee Festival
When: 21-24 March.
Where: The Boatyard, Blennerville, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
What: A family festival with puppet shows, music, exhibitions and much more.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 66 7129934 or 7120934; Web: www.samhlaiocht.com

Féile na Bealtaine – Dingle Arts Festival
When: 1st – 7th May.
Where: Dingle, Co Kerry.
What: A festival to highlight and promote Ireland’s natural heritage.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 66 9151082; Web: www.feilenabealtaine.ie

Killarney Races
When: 11th – 14th May and 14th – 18th July.
Where: Killarney Racecourse, Killarney, Co. Kerry.
What: An exciting series of horse races and social events.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0)64 31125; Web: www.hri.ie

World Bodhran Championships Festival
When: 30 May – 2 June
Where: Milltown, Co. Kerry
What: One of Ireland’s newest traditional music festivals, this event features bodhran players – in search of a world champion.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0)66 9765601
Web: www.worldbodhranchampionships.com

Listowel Writers Week
When: 28th May - 1st June.
Where: Listowel, Co. Kerry. Listowel
What: A literary festival devoted to Kerry’s great literary traditions.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 68 21074; Web: www.writersweek.ie

Killarney Summerfest
When: 10th - 21st July
Where: Killarney, Co. Kerry.
What: A festival of music, street entertainment, workshops etc. for all the family.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 64 71560; Web: www.killarneysummerfest.com

Féile Lughnasa – Festival of Lughnasa
When: 25th – 28th July.
Where: Brandon and Cloghane, Dingle Peninsula, West Kerry.
What: Revival of Celtic harvest festival with competitions, hill walking, music and song.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 66 7138137; Web: www.irishcelticfest.com

Cahersiveen Celtic Festival of Music and The Arts
When: 1st - 4th August.
Where: Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry.
What: Celtic-themed musical entertainment; art exhibitions; workshops in Irish music, dance and language; children’s entertainment and walks.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 66 9472043; Web: www.celticmusicfestival.com

Puck Fair
When: 10th – 12th August.
Where: Killorgan, Co Kerry.
What: One of Ireland’s oldest festivals, with traditional cattle and horse fairs, as well as the coronation and enthronement of a goat.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 66 9762366; Web: www.puckfair.ie

Rose of Tralee International Festival
When: 22nd – 26th August.
Where: Tralee, Co. Kerry.
What: One of Ireland’s leading festivals since 1959, with entertainment including televised International Rose Selection nights and a street carnival.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 66 7121322; Web: www.roseoftralee.ie

Tralee Festival Races
When: 19th - 21st August.
Where: Ballybeggan, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
What: Five day festival horse racing meeting.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 66 7126490; Web: www.traleehorseracing.com

Kerry Film Festival
When: 24th October - 1 November.
Where: Various venues, Co. Kerry.
What: The 7th annual Kerry Film festival features awards for films in the categories of experimental, international, animation, documentary, Irish, and for best director.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0)66 7129934 or 7120934; Web: www.kerryfilmfestival.com

Listowel Food Fair
When: 6th - 9th November.
Where: Cahirdown, Listowel, Co. Kerry.
What: Food lovers from around the country gather to enjoy this celebration of local food.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 68 23034; Web: www.listowelfoodfair.com

Christmas in Killarney
When: 1st December – 8th January, 2009.
Where: Killarney, Co Kerry.
What: A month-long Christmas Festival with visits from Santa, Ireland’s tallest Christmas tree, Christmas Eve Welcome Home Street Event, Christmas Markets, pre-Christmas sales in shops, ice show, torchlight parade, concerts and shows, pantomimes, puppet shows, treasure hunts, table quizzes, charades, art and photographic exhibit, and wine and art evening, and more.
More Info: www.christmasinkillarney.com