Colors of Killarney - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Killarney is home of world famous festivals. Colorful national holidays with their unlimited wealth of cultural traditions attract a lot of travelers today. Killarney Summerfest takes part in the second half of July. This exciting summer festival will be great for fans of active holidays and unusual entertainment.

In the afternoon main events take place away from the town center. Visitors can take part in sports, canoeing and walk through the most beautiful natural places. Special summer camps are opened for children; there you can find everything you need for recreation: sports-grounds, comfortable seating areas and outdoor cafes.

Main streets of the town come alive in the evening – there are fairs, theatrical and musical performances, as well as performances of famous comedians and magicians in the squares. Generally, the festival is dedicated to Killarney Summerfest sports, but it also covers some creative aspects. The most important sporting events are Killarney Regatta, 5-kilometer Killarney Races and competition of cyclists. The event is attended not only by professional athletes, but also by locals as well as guests of the city. Festival in Killarney always attracts international stars - performances of world-renowned musicians are an essential component of the holiday. Festival lasts for seven days and ends with a grand concert in the main square. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Pan Celtic, dedicated to Celtic culture, is also a well-known festival and a popular tourist activity. The event starts in mid-April; the first time the festival has been held in the spring of 1971. The main purpose of the event is to present original and unique Celtic culture embodied in many different areas of life and creativity to the wide audience.

In the town squares are full of dance performances and exciting musical shows. It’s worth to mention that artists certainly prepare special suits for the event that makes the spectacle even more original. It is impossible to imagine Pan Celtic without its lush fairs and culinary competitions. Travelers who would be lucky enough to visit the festival will have a great opportunity to evaluate the specialties of the national Celtic cuisine. Children also take an active part in the festival of Celtic culture; they make interesting theater performances and show off their musical talents.

For three days and on three stages, a colorful festival is held in Killarney especially for fans of motorcycles and music. This is Ireland Bike Fest that starts in early July. Timed to the founding date of Harley Davidson Motor Company, its main feature is a unique atmosphere, thanks to which one can get acquainted with the culture of bikers. The open-air Bike Village located a few kilometers from the city awaits not only motorcyclists and iron horse lovers - the fest is often visited by families with children, as well as hundreds of foreign and local fans of fiery rock and metal who are happy to have a lot of fun here It is also a great opportunity to enjoy magnificent panoramic views of County Kerry.

A traditional festival called The Gathering falls at the end of February. At this time, music does not stop for a minute in The Gleneagle Hotel where musicians charge everybody with a good mood for a long time. In addition to the music program, the audience is also pleased with dance, theatrical and cultural ones - visitors are entertained by stand-up comedians, all kinds of performances and master classes. A friendly atmosphere reigning at the festival is perhaps the most attractive thing for tourists and locals enjoying the event.

We cannot fail to mention St. Patrick's Day, which is very widely celebrated throughout Ireland (however, and outside it too). And Killarney is no exception in this regard - how could Irish miss such a fun holiday? In the middle of March, the central streets of the city turn green because everyone dresses up in the country's traditional color. Parades, activities for children, a dance program, musical concerts, street parties, themed cruises along the lake, street cinemas - all this attracts hundreds of tourists to Killarney on the second Sunday of the month when the holiday in honor of the patron saint of Ireland takes place here. By the way, every year the festival has a certain theme and participants of the processions follow it necessarily.

People in Killarney love Christmas holidays as well. Thus, from late November until December 31, exhibitions where you can buy gifts for loved ones open on the city's central streets, Beech Road Car Park becomes a ground for ice-skating enthusiasts, mini-parades headed by Santa Claus are held, and a special program is organized for kids - they will certainly not get bored. Besides that, the preparation for Christmas is interesting due to traditional Irish foods that are specially cooked for the holiday.