Weekend Events in Kerry

If you are looking for something to do this weekend in Kerry there are a number of events to choose from including the Seatrout Festival in Waterville, the Synge exhibition in Siamsa Tíre, Tralee and the Ballyheigue Summer Festival.

The Ballyheigue Festival has been running all week and some of the activities this Saturday and Sunday include a dog show, busking competition, sandcastle competition, village fete and a grand parade. For more details on the festival you can download the programe of events from www.ballyheiguefestival.com

The Killarney Summerfest is drawing to a close this weekend with the Pussycat Dolls concert in Fitzgerald Park.

Weekend events in Kerry

The Tralee Art Fair takes place this weekend at Manor West Hotel organised by the Sol Art Gallery. The fair opens on Friday at 7pm and 12-9pm on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. To see some of the artists exhibiting at the fair visit the Sol Art Gallery website.

Summerfest continues in Killarney with a host of street entertainment planned for the weekend. On the Main St Spraoi Chiarrai will be performing their outdoor traditional art show which features singing, dancing and storytelling. Other entertainment on the streets include buskers and street performers. For more information visit the Killarney Summerfest website.

Killarney Summerfest

Kerstin Doelle (Soprano) will be performing at Muckross House on Friday 10th July as part of the Classical Music Evening for the Killarney Summerfest. Tickets are still available contact Muckross House for more details.


The Balloon Meet also takes place this weekend Friday 10th – Sunday 11th (dusk and dawn, weather permitting). This will be third time lucky for me. Every year I pick the wrong day and time to go. So hopefully… fingers crossed… I might get some photos this year!


For more information on other events organised for this year's Summerfest check out the Killarney Summerfest website.

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.