The free summer festival will see Killarney town pedestrianised and transformed into a virtual stage with live entertainment, on-street performances and family fun on every street, path and corner of the town for the duration of the week, in addition to a range of concerts, outdoor adventures and workshops, ensuring thrills at every turn.  The many sights and attractions of the beautiful town of Killarney also ensure that this is a must visit destination for families this summer. www.killarneysummerfest.com

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Funfest for all:

A host of street performers will take to the streets for Funfest over four fun-filled evenings to animate the streets with laughter and delight.  Be prepared to see some of the most bizarre wrestlers, magicians, mime artists and jugglers, samba bands and much more, at this truly colourful festival extravaganza.

Children’s Activities galore:

Children in particular will be thoroughly entertained throughout the week with magic, creativity, dance and music. A summer camp for 6 to 11 year olds will take place from 10am to 3pm daily, along with numerous workshops and activities from Kids photography classes to Kung Fu Panda exercise, jewellery making, dragon skin sculptures, the art of self portrait from recycled material, bunting classes, the art of magic, swimming and games in the park, and an animal roadshow.

Festival favourite the Teddy Bear's Picnic also returns in 2012 and children are urged to take their teddy bear's along for an enjoyable afternoon in the beautiful gardens of Muckross House, where an array of entertainment awaits including face painters, balloon modellers, kids disco and dancers, puppet show, magician and a Teddy Bear’s Hospital!  

Exciting Entertainment:

The free music stage on Killarney’s Main Street is the main place to be for the week, with the line-up featuring Celtic Steps, Christy Moore Tribute, The Kilkennys, Greater Harmony Ladies Barbershop Chorus and The Hot House Flowers.  There will also be a traditional Irish Night on Tuesday 31st July where the finest local youth groups will perform contemporary and Irish traditional music. 

Meanwhile the INEC theatre will welcome Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance from the 24th through to the 29th of July also performing are The Horslips & special guests, Brendan Grace, Sharon Shannon & band, and The High Kings to name just a few.  See www.inec.ie for more details.  

Killarney’s social highlight, the Killarney Summerfest Black Tie Ball, will also take place again this year at the INEC Friday 13th July.

Outdoor Thrills:

 If you or your family are a fan of the great outdoors, then you can enjoy the numerous adventures taking place in Killarney throughout the week, from kayaking across the Lakes of Killarney to horse riding in Killarney National Park and rock climbing The Gap of Dunloe.  New highlights also include The Full Moon Hike and the Twilight Nature Walk.

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Commenting at the launch of the 2012 festival programme, Tadhg Moriarty of Killarney Summerfest, said:  “I am really excited to be announcing our extensive festival programme for Killarney Summerfest 2012, as we feel it is one of our most exciting and colourful festivals to date.   One of the highlights this year will undoubtedly be Killarney FunFest, which will see the streets of Killarney transform into a virtual stage jam packed with entertainment.    The Killarney SummerFest programme guarantees an array of fantastic events for all the family, sporting enthusiasts and adventure seekers like no other.”

Fiona Buckley, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Operations in the South West, commented: “As the national tourism development authority, Fáilte Ireland is delighted to be supporting Killarney Summerfest in 2012 – one of a number of key events in Killarney’s busy tourism calendar”.

“Festivals are an integral part of Irish tourism, and the variety and array of events interspersed into every corner of Ireland give visitors the opportunity to see all that Ireland has to offer. Many serve to promote Ireland as a tourist destination and the impact they have here in Ireland within local communities is of great benefit to the national economy.  Fáilte Ireland would like to congratulate the organisers on their exciting programme for 2012 which is filled with exciting activities and fun events for all the family.”

For further information on the range and availability of accommodation and activities in Killarney during the festivities, see www.discoverireland.ie/kerry.   

For more festival and ticket information see www.killarneysummerfest.com ,
call (064) 66 71560 or check out the Facebook page www.facebook.com/killarneysummerfest

 Killarney SummerFest proudly sponsored by Failte Ireland