Skellig Coast

From Kells to Castlecove along the Iveragh Peninsula on the Ring of Kerry

A lively outdoor festival scene on a sunny Irish coastal village street, with colourful bunting strung overhead, warm golden light, and a relaxed crowd enjoying the atmosphere against a backdrop of green hills and stone buildings.

What's On

Discover events and festivals across the Skellig Coast, from music and arts festivals to summer schools and sporting events.

Annual Festivals & Events

A bustling Irish town square filled with music festival stages, strings of bunting in warm reds and oranges, and crowds gathered under a bright August sky.

The Cahersiveen Festival of Music & the Arts

August Bank Holiday Weekend — Cahersiveen town

Held annually on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before the first Monday of August, this festival brings music and the arts to the heart of Cahersiveen. In 2019 the festival marked its 24th year.

A vintage cinema marquee with warm glowing lights, black-and-white film posters, and a cheerful crowd queuing outside a small-town theatre.

Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival

Annually — Waterville

Taking place in Waterville under the patronage of Josephine Chaplin, this festival celebrates comedy film in the village long associated with the legendary Charlie Chaplin. The 2019 edition ran from 23rd to 25th August.

A stately Irish country house nestled among mature trees and green lawns, with soft afternoon light casting long shadows across the grounds.

Daniel O Connell Summer School

Annually — Derrynane

This summer school takes place at Derrynane, exploring the life and legacy of Daniel O Connell. The 2019 programme was held on 23rd and 24th August.

Cyclists in colourful jerseys riding along a winding coastal road, with the Atlantic Ocean glinting in the background under a soft Irish sky.

Mike Murphy Memorial Cycle

31st August 2019, 10:00 am–5:00 pm

A fundraising cycle to erect a memorial to the late Mike "Iron-Man" Murphy, who won the 1958 Rás Tailteann. The 2019 event was a day-long ride celebrating his remarkable achievement.

A small group walking along a hillside trail overlooking a rugged coastline, with patchwork fields and stone walls stretching toward the sea under soft grey clouds.

Iveragh Learning Landscapes

11th–14th October 2019 — Waterville

A weekend of talks, walks, and workshops focusing on outdoor education, place-based learning, land management, and nature connection. The 2019 event began on Friday evening and ran through Monday afternoon.

Horses and riders gathered at a rural racecourse, with green hills rising behind and spectators lining the rail under a bright, breezy sky.

Cahersiveen Races

Annual local fixture — Cahersiveen

A longstanding local sporting event, the Cahersiveen Races draw crowds from across the region for a day of racing and community gathering.