Ballyhoura Walking Festival & Joyce Brothers Music Festival 2026

Join us this October as the Ballyhoura Walking Festival celebrates 30 years of bringing people together to explore the landscapes, heritage and communities of Ballyhoura Country.

Recognised as Ireland's longest-running community-led walking festival, this special anniversary year also celebrates 40 years of Ballyhoura Fáilte and community tourism and 20 years of the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails.

Taking place from Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th October 2026, the festival offers four days of guided walks, outdoor adventures, heritage experiences, local food, creativity and traditional music across Counties Limerick and Cork.

Running alongside the Walking Festival is the Joyce Brothers Music Festival, bringing concerts, workshops, traditional music sessions and cultural performances to Kilfinane throughout the weekend, while the Creative Places Kilfinane Showcase celebrates local creativity through exhibitions, workshops and community-led events.

Whether you're looking to challenge yourself on a mountain marathon, discover hidden heritage, enjoy a family day out, experience traditional Irish music, or simply spend time outdoors with friends, there's something for everyone at this year's festival.

Booking Information

Festival Programme

Creative Places Kilfinane – Our Landscapes That Inspire Us Showcase

Running throughout the festival weekend, this Creative Places Kilfinane showcase features work created by the local community during artist Celina Buckley’s September workshop series, Our Landscapes That Inspire Us.

Discover the pieces displayed in shop windows throughout Kilfinane as you explore the town over the weekend.

Thursday 8 – Sunday 11 October | Kilfinane | Free

THURSDAY 8 October

         Celebrate the opening of the Joyce Brothers Music Festival with an evening of traditional music, song and dance, headlined by acclaimed Irish harpist Laoise Kelly and accordion maestro Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich, alongside a vibrant programme of traditional music, song and dance, and a special historical contribution from Angela Hennessy.

FRIDAY 9 October

         Discover one of Ballyhoura Country's most important peatland habitats on a guided walk exploring autumn wildlife, migrating birds and the unique ecology of Griston Bog.

         Explore the rich heritage of historic Kilmallock on this welcoming community walk delivered in partnership with Limerick Sports Partnership.

         Learn the skill of whistling a tune while enjoying a walk through the scenery of Poulnadiha and Kileen Fields.

         Get ready for a night of old songs, lively ballads and plenty of craic with Donie Nolan, Liam Flanagan, Ciarán Ó Gealbháin, Teresa Doherty, The Clancy Boys, and Lynda Gardiners concertina ensemble.

         Enjoy a magical guided walk under the evening sky, experiencing Ballyhoura Country in a completely different light.

  •  9:30 pm – Traditional Music Session in Healy's Bar

          Continue the evening with an informal traditional music session at Healy's Bar, Kilfinane. Everyone welcomed!

SATURDAY 10 October

          Watch the sunrise over the Ballyhoura Mountains while listening to the dawn chorus on one of the festival's most iconic experiences.

         Challenge yourself on a full-day guided mountain adventure through the spectacular Ballyhoura Mountains.

         A rewarding challenge for experienced walkers looking to explore the Ballyhoura landscape.

         Slow down, reconnect with nature and experience the wellbeing benefits of spending time in the forest.

         Learn more about Ballyhoura's peatlands and explore their importance for biodiversity, heritage and climate resilience.

         Join the Ballyhoura Bears Walking Club for a relatively gentle guided walk through the Ballyhoura Valley.

         Join local naturalist Albert Nolan to discover the wildlife, habitats and biodiversity of the beautiful Kilmoylan Woods in Doon.

         Learn from experienced musicians and dancers in a series of engaging workshops which teach the music from the Joyce collection:

         11:30am to 1pm: Beginners Music Workshop in Teach na Cille

         2:30pm to 4pm: Intermediate Music Workshop n Teach na Cille

         2:30pm to 4:30pm: Advanced Music Workshop in Ó Céileachair's

         Discover the fascinating archaeology, folklore and history of one of Ireland's most important heritage landscapes and meet the local pottery maker Clair Jones of Lough Gur Pottery.

  • 1:00 pm – Food at the Apple Farm

         Enjoy locally produced food and community spirit in a relaxed setting.

         Join fellow photographers to explore Mitchelstown through the lens while learning tips and techniques along the way.

         Experience the premiere of From A House in Glenosheen, a captivating new traditional arts production inspired by the Joyce Collection. Created by Des Dillon, the performance weaves together puppetry, music, song and dance, bringing the cultural legacy of P.W. Joyce and Robert Dwyer Joyce to life. 

         Enjoy an intimate evening performance by acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter Jack O'Rourke at Saint George's in Mitchelstown.

  • 9:00 pm – Traditional Music Session

         Finish the evening with traditional music session in Ó Céilleachair's Bar, Kilfinane. Everyone Welcomed.

SUNDAY 11 October

          Meet the alpacas while enjoying a relaxed guided farm walk and learning about life on a working Ballyhoura Farm Escape.

         Continue the conversation around the future of Ballyhoura's peatlands through this interactive workshop.

         Explore some of the lesser-known trails of the western Galtee Mountains on this challenging guided walk.

         Explore the valleys, foothills and peaks of the Western Galtees on this guided walk.

         Enjoy a sociable guided walk from Ballyorgan through the Keale River Valley, taking in viewpoints across the Ballyhoura region.

         Step back in time and explore one of Ireland's finest medieval towns with an experienced local guide.

         Enjoy spectacular views while discovering the rich history and folklore of this iconic Ballyhoura landmark.

         Join the Verdant Troupe for their performance with over 12 actors.

         Join historian Angela Hennessy and musicians for a historical walk and tunes at the Joyce homestead (V35 DN84).

  • 1:00 pm – Galty Valley Food Truck

         Enjoy delicious local food before the festival draws to a close.

         Perfect for families, discover the fascinating mini-beasts and wildlife that call Ballyhoura home.

  • 2:00 - 4:00pm – Traditional Music Session

         Enjoy another lively traditional music session at Nuala's Bar, Ballyorgan.

         Join Michael O'Sullivan, renowned historian, for an exclusive guided tour of Doneraile Estate.

         Experience the course that will welcome the Ryder Cup as you walk its fairways with local insight and stories.

  • 5:00 pm – Final Traditional Music Performance

         Round off the weekend with a final celebration of traditional music in O’Seachnasaigh Bar. This final session is dedicated to the memory of Con Herbert.

There’s so much to enjoy at the 30th Ballyhoura Walking Festival & Joyce Brothers Music Festival 2026 - where will your feeling take you?

Ballyhoura Walking Festival and Joyce Brothers Music Festival are supported by Limerick City and Council Festivals and Events funding, Arts Council and Ballyhoura Development Creative Places Kilfinane.
The Ballyhoura Walking Festival is also supported through funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).