The Irish National Wife Carrying Competition Sneem 2009

Sneem is the venue again for the Irish National Wife Carrying Competition 2009. Last years winning couple John O'Shea from Caherdaniel and Aoife Desmond from Castlecove, received an all expenses paid trip to represent Ireland in the World Wife Carrying Championships on the 4th of July in Finland this year. They will be competing alongside 10 other countries including Japan, China, Australia and USA.

The competition which is the highlight of the festival sees contestants carrying their wife, on a 253 metre course over sand and grass, two dry obstacles and one water obstacle which is about a metre deep. The national record to beat is 1 min and 12 seconds!




In addition to the competition other things to see and do at the festival include the very popular Crate Climbing Competition, laughter yoga, walks, craft market, circus skills workshop, 7-a-side soccer tournament, sheaf tossing, pet show plus much more. For more information visit the Sneem Family Festival website.

The Killarney Summerfest is also taking place this month. Once again there are a variety of activities to choose from including the International Street Performers competition, Junk Art - Don't Rubbish it, Midnight Walk at Ross Castle, Hot Air Ballooning Display, Teddy Bears Picnic; the list is endless. The big concert features the Pussycat Dolls with special guest McFly on the 18th . For more information visit the Summerfest website.

With Pat Short at St John’s Theatre Listowel, Mick Flannery at the INEC Acoustic Club and an exhibition of the photography of John Millington Synge at the Siamsa Gallery there is lots to do in Kerry over the month of July.