Celebrating 30 Years of Walking Together

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

Booking links for both the Ballyhoura Walking Festival and the Joyce Brothers Music Festival will be available shortly.

Please keep an eye on Visit Ballyhoura, our social media channels, and the festival pages for programme updates and ticket releases.

Festival Programme

THURSDAY 8 October

• 7:30 pm – Opening Night – The Old Chapel Rooms, Kilfinane

         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. 

FRIDAY 9 October

• 3:00 pm – Autumn Migration Walk – Griston Bog

         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.

• 5:00 pm – Kilmallock Community Connections Walk

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

• 5:00 pm – Whistling Walk

         A relaxed evening walk combining local stories, music and the outdoors in a unique Ballyhoura experience.

• 7:30 pm – Traditional Concert – Joyce Brothers Music Festival

         Enjoy an unforgettable evening with The Clancy Boys, whose energetic performances of traditional Irish ballads have earned them a reputation for capturing the spirit, humour and storytelling of Ireland's rich musical tradition. 

• 8:00 pm – Moonlight Walk

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

•  9:00 pm – Traditional Music Session

          Continue the evening with an informal traditional music session at O'Seachnasaigh Bar, Kilfinane.

SATURDAY 10 October

• 6:00 am – Dawn Chorus Walk to Seefin

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

• 8:00 am – Marathon Walk

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

• 10:00 am – Half-Marathon Walk

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

• 10:00 am – Galtycastle Woodland Wellness Experience with Yoga Walks Ireland

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

• 10:00 am – Peatlands Community Visioning Workshop

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

• 11:00 am – Guided Walk with Ballyhoura Bears

         A guided mountain walk suitable for those looking for a moderate hiking experience.

• 11:00 am – Kilmoylan Woods Nature Walk

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

• 11:30 am – Traditional Music & Dance Workshops

         Learn from experienced musicians and dancers in a series of engaging workshops suitable for all levels.

• 12:00 pm – Lough Gur Heritage Walk & Meet the Maker Experience

         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.

• 4:00 pm – Galtee Mountain Screening & Photography Exhibition

         Celebrate the beauty of the Galtee Mountains through film and photography.

• 5:30 pm – Photography Walk – Mitchelstown

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

• 6:00 pm – Meet the Maker & Taste the Place

         Meet local food producers and discover the flavours that make Ballyhoura Country unique.

• 7:30 pm – From A House in Glenosheen - Concert at The Old Chapel Rooms

         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. 

• 8:00 pm – Jack O'Rourke Concert

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

• 9:00 pm – Traditional Music Sessions

         Finish the evening with traditional music sessions in McGrath's Bar and Ó Céilleachair's Bar, Kilfinane.

SUNDAY 11 October

• 10:00 am – Farm Walk & Meet the Alpacas

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

• 10:00 am – Peatlands Community Visioning Workshop

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

• 10:30 am – A, B & C Guided Walks with Ballyhoura Bears Walking Club

         Choose from three guided mountain walks offering different distances and levels of challenge.

• 11:00 am – Kilmallock Heritage Walk

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

• 11:00 am – Traditional Mass

         Celebrate the musical heritage of the Joyce Brothers with a traditional Mass featuring live music.

• 11:00 am – Hill of Ardpatrick Walk

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

• 11:00 am – Castle Oliver Nature Walk

         Explore the woodlands and landscapes surrounding the magnificent Castle Oliver estate.

• 11:30 am – Step Back in Time – Annesgrove Gardens

         Discover the history and horticultural beauty of one of Ireland's finest historic gardens.

• 1:00 pm – Walk to the Joyce Homestead

         Follow in the footsteps of the Joyce Brothers on a guided walk accompanied by traditional tunes.

• 2:00 pm – Bug Safari at Griston Bog

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

• 2:00 pm – Traditional Music Session

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

• 2:30 pm – Doneraile Park & Gardens Walk

         Explore one of Ireland's most beautiful parklands on a guided walk through Doneraile.

• 3:00 pm – Walk the Course – Ballyneety Golf Club

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

• 3:00 pm – Galty Valley Food Truck

         Refuel with delicious local food before the festival draws to a close.

• 5:00 pm – Final Traditional Music Performance

         Round off the weekend with a final celebration of traditional music at Healy's Bar.

Creative Places Kilfinane Showcase

Running throughout the festival weekend - Experience exhibitions, workshops, installations and community-led creative activities celebrating the people, stories and creativity of Kilfinane through the Creative Places Kilfinane programme.