Launch of inaugural Killarney Mountain Festival

IF SCALING the heights of success is your thing (literally) then news of Killarney Mountain Festival’s launch by Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Niall Kelleher, will be music to your ears.

The launch took place at Killarney House ‘the basecamp’ for Killarney’s latest inspiring and cultural event. Killarney is Ireland’s Adventure Capital and home to the Biggest Mountain range in the country - the famous MacGillycuddy Reeks. Add in the idyllic Lakes of Killarney and its little wonder it’s one of our most celebrated destinations.

This exciting spectacle and celebration of all things mountain and adventure related will run over the weekend of the March 9- 11 and will serve as the biggest and best social event for outdoor enthusiasts in Ireland. The Festival is kindly supported by Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce and Kerry County Council.

“The festival will be run in close association and with the support of the hugely successful and renowned Kendal Mountain Festival in the UK and be aligned, organised and run along this very same vein,” said Maureen Hegarty, Chairperson of Killarney Mountain Festival.

“It will feature a multitude of exciting weekend long activities from adventure movies and documentaries, workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions, competitions, family fun activities, cultural interest, sample & featured hikes, scrambles and climbs, musical entertainment, and inspiring guest speakers,” Maureen added.

Killarney Cineplex will be the main screening venue for a programme of Mountain and Adventure films, documentaries and features, in association with Maeve McGrath, the well-known in the Irish Film Industry.

A photographic competition is already running on the Killarney Mountain Festival Facebook page which is open to everyone who loves taking photographs, particularly, images of adventure, capturing a sense of fun, exploration from far flung places or just our neighbouring mountains, lakes, cliff faces and rivers.

A weekend programme of trekking our magnificent mountains and valleys with Piaras Kelly of Kerry Climbing will also be part of adventure. The weekend will also have a host of top class speakers. Check out www.killarneymountainfestival.com

Photo Valerie O’Sullivan The Killarney Mountain Festival was launched by Mayor of Killarney Municipal Area Niall Kelleher, at Killarney House and Gardens. Front row: Maureen Hegarty, Chairperson, Killarney Mountain Festival, Christina Boyle, Killarney Plaza Hotel, back row...