Ballyhoura Country is once again set to come alive with the spirit of adventure and culture, as the much-anticipated Ballyhoura Walking Festival and Joyce Brothers Music Festival return for their 2024 editions. Taking place from Thursday, October 3rd, to Sunday, October 6th, these festivals offer a unique blend of outdoor exploration and musical celebration, drawing visitors from across Ireland and beyond.
Celebrating its 28th year, the Ballyhoura Walking Festival is Ireland’s longest-established walking festival, inviting walkers of all levels to discover the beauty and history of Ballyhoura landscapes.
This year’s programme is packed with an exciting variety of walks, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Many of the walks are led by members of the Ballyhoura Bears Walking Club, who have in-depth knowledge of the area and its heritage, history, flora and fauna–and are suitable for all abilities, from the enthusiastic well-equipped walkers who relish a challenge to the gentle ramblers who are out to enjoy a pleasant stroll.
For the fourth year in a row, the Walking Festival is collaborating with The Joyce Brothers Music Festival, which complements and enriches the walking programme with its own jam-packed schedule; it promises a weekend of music, song, history and workshops, celebrating the wonderful legacy and remarkable lives of brothers PW and Robert Dwyer Joyce, natives of Glenosheen, who were renowned for collecting and documenting Irish music and songs.
Ballyhoura Walking Festival Highlights
Among the highlights of the walking program are a Sounds & Landscape Walk with renowned radio documentary maker Diarmuid McIntyre, which is a brand new collaboration with the acclaimed HearSay Audio Festival, and a popular Moonlight Walk to Carrighenry on Friday evening. Saturday features a breath-taking Dawn Chorus Sunrise Walk to Seefin, the highest point of the Ballyhoura Mountains, as well as a Half Marathon across Ballyhoura's Highest Peaks for those looking for a bit of a challenge. The Slievereagh Walk will take you through native woodland paths, babbling streams, and a forest clearing with ancient standing stones. This area is also near Palatine Hill, named after the Palatine families who settled there in the mid-1700s. A moderate Kilcruaig Walk will take you through the ancient Boreen Dearg to Carrighenry, then across the Darragh Hills, offering stunning views of Cork and Limerick counties. Adding to the Saturday lineup is a Charity Walk in aid of The Irish Cancer Society organised by Sheehy’s CENTRA at 12pm.
History and food enthusiasts will have the opportunity to join a unique Mitchelstown Food & Heritage Tour—visiting the historic Georgian town of Mitchelstown, tasting award-winning food and beverages, and meeting local producers. As evening sets in, walkers can embrace the moon's gentle glow during a Castle Oliver Night Walk.
Sunday offers a relaxing Yoga Walk Experience in Kilfinane Village, led by Yoga Walks Ireland, and a Forest Bathing Walk led by Forest Bathing Ireland. Sunday is also dedicated to history enthusiasts, with a range of heritage tours of Medieval Kilmallock, Lough Gur, Ardpatrick, or amazing tours filled with pageantry, history, and storytelling set in the majestic surroundings of Doneraile Estate or Anne's Grove Gardens. Families can embark on a captivating journey into the world of bees, insects, flora, and fauna with the Family-friendly Bug Safari at Griston Bog.
Joyce Brothers Music Festival Highlights
Thursday’s Joyce Festival Gala Opening Night features a celebration of the history and life of the Joyce Brothers through music, song, and dance, led by Ciarán Ó Gealbháin with special guests Jesse Smith, Sean Gavin, Ciara Flanagan, and puppeteer Des Dillon. This event will also showcase musicians from local Comhaltas Groups who have learned tunes from the Joyce collection.
On Friday, a traditional concert featuring Dermot Byrne, Steve Cooney, Brid Harper, Liam O’Connor, Caoimhín Ó Fearghail, and Derek Hickey will highlight music from the Joyce Brothers Collection. The evening will also include the launch of a book on the contribution of P.W. Joyce to the Irish education system by Teresa O’Doherty, Liam O’Connor, and Tom O’Donoghue. Later in the evening, a traditional session will take place in O’Seachnasaigh Bar.
Saturday afternoon offers a series of music workshops aimed at all levels, from beginners to advanced, taught by esteemed musicians Brid Harper, Dermot Byrne, and Steve Cooney. This will be followed by a Traditional Singing Workshop with Deirdre Scanlan and a Sean Nós Dancing Workshop with Ciara Flanagan, suitable for participants of all abilities. The Whistling Walk, led by Anita Bennis, is a delightful addition, teaching the art of whistling a tune while exploring the scenic beauty of Poulnadiha and Kileen Fields. The evening will continue with a traditional concert featuring Donal Clancy, the Mulcahy Family, Derek Hickey, and more, with highlights from Hup na Houra. Traditional music sessions will be hosted in McGraths Bar and Ó Céilleachair’s Bar.
On Sunday, the day begins with a Mass featuring traditional music and song at St. Andrew’s Church, followed by a historical walk led by Angela Hennessy from Ballyorgan to the Joyce Homestead in Glenosheen, where tunes will be played at the homestead. The afternoon will continue with a traditional session in Nuala Mee’s Pub, and the festival will close with a final performance in Healy’s Bar.
Throughout the weekend, traditional music sessions will be taking place in local pubs and are free to attend!
Further information available from:
- Ballyhoura Centre, Kilfinane: Ph: 063-91300 or email: reception@ballyhoura.org
- Phone number for Joyce Brothers Music Festival Bookings: 087-4548501
- Walking Festival and Music Festival Information Online: https://visitballyhoura.com/events/ballyhoura-walking-festival-joyce-brothers-music-festival
- Tickets for all Walking Festival Events: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/ballyhoura-walking-festival-2024-3565309
- Tickets for all Joyce Brothers Events:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/joyce-brothers-music-festival-2024-tickets-949263551837
The 28th Ballyhoura Walking Festival is supported by Limerick City and County Council, Limerick Arts Office and Fáilte Ireland, while the Joyce Brothers Music Festival is funded by The Arts Council and Ballyhoura Comhaltas Ceoltoirí na hÉireann.
