Four days of outdoor adventure, traditional music, heritage and community spirit mark a milestone anniversary for Ballyhoura Country.
From spectacular sunrises over the Ballyhoura Mountains to traditional music filling the venues and pubs of Kilfinane, Ballyhoura Country came alive from 8 -11 October as the 30th Ballyhoura Walking Festival and Joyce Brothers Music Festival delivered a memorable anniversary weekend
More than 350 people participated in Ballyhoura Walking Festival events, while the Joyce Brothers Music Festival attracted an estimated 400 attendees, Together, the two festivals showcased the very best of Ballyhoura Country, combining more than 40 walks and experiences with outstanding traditional music, local heritage, creativity and the community hospitality that has made this festival weekend so special for three decades.
Recognised as Ireland's longest-running community-led walking festival, the event celebrated three significant milestones in 2026: 30 years of the Ballyhoura Walking Festival, 40 years of Ballyhoura Fáilte and 20 years of the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails.
From Mountain Sunrises to Music-Filled Evenings
The anniversary programme offered something for every age, interest and walking ability, taking participants from the heights of the Ballyhoura and Galtee Mountains to the region's historic towns, woodlands, peatlands and rural communities.
One of the weekend's standout moments was the Dawn Chorus Walk to Seefin, where early risers were rewarded with a spectacular sunrise over the Ballyhoura Mountains.
The Ballyhoura Bears Walking Club once again led the challenging Ballyhoura Marathon and Half-Marathon walks, alongside a varied programme of guided mountain and valley walks, including routes through the western Galtees, bringing enthusiastic walkers onto the hills throughout the festival weekend.
Elsewhere, participants discovered the wildlife and stories of Griston Bog, explored the biodiversity of Kilmoylan Bog with local naturalist Albert Nolan, learned to whistle a tune on a countryside walk around Kilfinane and experienced the forests after dark on the popular Moonlight Walk.
The programme also brought visitors into the heart of local communities, from discovering the medieval heritage of Kilmallock and the ancient folklore and pottery traditions of Lough Gur to exploring Georgian Mitchelstown through photography, enjoying woodland wellness experiences in the Galtees and taking part in community walks.
Families were equally well catered for, with opportunities to meet alpacas at Ballyhoura Farm Escape, join a Bug Safari at Griston Bog and discover the region's natural heritage together. The weekend also featured creative peatland visioning workshops, historic garden experiences and opportunities to meet local makers, demonstrating the diversity of experiences available across Ballyhoura Country.
Where Walking and Traditional Music Meet
An essential part of the anniversary celebrations was the Joyce Brothers Music Festival, which once again joined forces with the Walking Festival to create a weekend where outdoor adventure and traditional Irish culture came together.
Inspired by the musical legacy of P.W. Joyce and Robert Dwyer Joyce of nearby Glenosheen, the music programme brought concerts, workshops, song, dance and lively traditional music sessions to Kilfinane throughout the weekend.
Inspired by the musical legacy of P.W. Joyce and Robert Dwyer Joyce of nearby Glenosheen, the music programme featured acclaimed uilleann piper Mick O'Brien and accordion maestro Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich, while The Clancy Boys brought their distinctive energy, humour and interpretations of traditional Irish ballads to Friday evening's concert.
One of the weekend's cultural highlights was From A House in Glenosheen, a traditional arts production created by artist Des Dillon. Combining puppetry, music, song and dance, the performance brought the musical heritage of the Joyce Brothers Collection to life in a captivating celebration of Irish culture and storytelling.
Reflecting on the weekend, Ciara Flanagan of the Joyce Brothers Music Festival said:
"There's something very special about bringing walking and traditional music together in the place that inspired the Joyce Brothers. This year's festival captured that connection beautifully, from the concerts and workshops to the informal sessions and conversations that continued throughout the weekend. It was wonderful to see visitors experiencing not just our musical heritage, but the warmth and community spirit that keep these traditions alive."
A Special Homecoming for the Joyce Family
Among the weekend's most meaningful moments was a visit by two descendants of Patrick Weston Joyce. His great-grandson, Patrick W. Joyce, travelled from Liverpool, while his great-great-granddaughter, Zoe Balogh, made the journey from London to experience the festival and reconnect with their family's musical heritage.
During their visit, Teresa O'Doherty presented Patrick and Zoe with a copy of P.W. Joyce and the Educational Shaping of the Emerging Irish Nation, 1827–1914, which she co-authored with Liam O'Connor and Tom O'Donoghue.
Reflecting on the celebrations, Patrick praised the music, performances and warm welcome, describing Saturday evening's theatrical production as outstanding.
"The music, the tapping, the whistling, fiddling and the Bosca Ceoil will live long in my memory," he said. "Thank you all for your generosity, hospitality and welcome both Zoe and I received."
For Zoe, participating in workshops featuring music from the Joyce Collection was a particularly moving experience, strengthening her personal connection to her ancestors' legacy.
"I am going home with my ancestors deeper in my bones, or perhaps I should say brought more fully alive from within! I am so happy to feel connected to Glenosheen and Kilfinane and look forward to visiting again… and again!"
A Festival Powered by Community
While the landscapes, walks and performances attracted visitors, it was the people of Ballyhoura Country who brought the anniversary celebrations to life.
Local walking club, guides, musicians, artists, volunteers, community organisations, accommodation providers and tourism businesses all played an important role in delivering the programme and welcoming visitors throughout the weekend.
The Creative Places Kilfinane Showcase added another dimension to the celebrations, highlighting local creativity and the connections between people, place and culture. The festival also provided an opportunity to celebrate the strength of community-led tourism, a tradition that has been central to Ballyhoura Fáilte's work for the past 40 years.
From the volunteers guiding walkers through mountain trails to the musicians sharing tunes late into the evening, the weekend reflected the collaborative spirit that has sustained the Ballyhoura Walking Festival for three decades
Declan Clancy of the Ballyhoura Bears Walking Club said:
"There's nothing quite like seeing people discover the Ballyhouras for the first time, whether it's watching the sunrise from Seefin, taking on a mountain challenge or simply enjoying a walk and a chat along the way. The atmosphere throughout this anniversary weekend was fantastic. For the Ballyhoura Bears, it's a real pleasure to share these landscapes with visitors and be part of a festival that has brought people together through walking for 30 years."
A Weekend to Remember
Among those experiencing the anniversary celebrations was travel content creator Sarah Kelly of Tiny Boots Travel, who spent the weekend exploring Ballyhoura Country, joining guided walks and enjoying the music and cultural programme.
Reflecting on her experience, Sarah said:
"I genuinely had the most amazing weekend! I was blown away by the scenery, the storytelling, the music and the incredible community spirit throughout Ballyhoura Country. The walks were fantastic – we got a great sunrise on Seefin – and the From A House in Glenosheen concert was absolutely gorgeous. It was something I'd expect to see in a big theatre in Dublin! The whole weekend was such a special celebration of Irish culture, and I'm so delighted I got to experience it."
Sarah's festival experience can now be viewed on her YouTube channel: The Ireland I wish More Tourists Knew About | Ballyhoura Walking Festival.
Looking Ahead to Another Year of Walking Together
Thirty years on, the Ballyhoura Walking Festival continues to bring people together through walking, music, heritage and community spirit. Its partnership with the Joyce Brothers Music Festival remains central to celebrating the landscapes, culture and traditions that make Ballyhoura Country so special.
SAVE THE DATE: The Ballyhoura Walking Festival and Joyce Brothers Music Festival return 7–10 October 2027!
For festival updates and more information about visiting Ballyhoura Country, visit www.visitballyhoura.com.
Ballyhoura Walking Festival and Joyce Brothers Music Festival are supported by Limerick City and County Council Festivals and Events funding, Arts Council and Ballyhoura Development Creative Places Kilfinane.
