Magic & Myths – Summer Solstice Midnight Culture Walk - Saturday 21st June

16 June 2008

To celebrate the Summer Solstice on Saturday 21st June 2008, Walk Killarney & Kerry 2008 have organised a totally unique Midnight Walk through the beautiful Killarney Valley. 

Thanks to the kind permission of Killarney National Park, this is the first walk of its kind in Killarney, where walkers will experience a night of culture and mythology, while enjoying a leisurely Midnight walk through the Killarney Valley.  Along the route, which lasts from Midnight to 7am, walkers will interact with musicians, dancers, actors and story tellers at various locations and finish up with a hearty breakfast in one of Killarney's famed hostelries.

The walk will include an extract from the famous Colleen Bawn play, which was the toast of New York when it was performed on Broadway in 1860.  The play was written by Irish playwright Dion Boucicault, who based the story in Killarney.  Eily O'Connor, the famous "Colleen Bawn" is saved from certain death in the Lakes of Killarney by Myles-na-Coppaleen.

The Midnight Culture Walk will also celebrate the historic Muckross Abbey, resting place of Gaelic Lords & Poets. Having been driven out of Muckross Abbey by Cromwell's forces, the monks continued to serve their congregation from a remote glen between Torc and Mangerton Mountain - now known as "The Friar's Glen".

Programme Organiser and Killarney Chamber Executive Jerry O'Grady stated "The pace throughout will be very much one of stop and go as the walkers interface with the brief history and heritage events throughout the walk and with the exception of some gentle inclines, the walk will be almost totally on the flat and on a surfaced track The walk will appeal to anyone with a keen interest in history and culture, who would like to experience a unique leisurely walk - a real once in a lifetime opportunity."

The Midnight Culture Walk on Saturday 21st June is part of the extensive range of walks being organized by Walk Killarney & Kerry 2008 which offers 27 days of Fully Guided Walks, which will run over all of the Public Holiday Weekends as well as the Christmas & New Year Period and is supported by Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (CRAGA).  There are a wide range of walks for enthusiasts of every level.  All of the Walks have experienced Guides to accompany the participants, many of the walks are Free of Charge and others have a nominal charge to cover Bus Transfers and other costs. 

The cost of the Midnight Culture Walk is €40 including breakfast on completion of the walk at 7am.  For further information on the Midnight Culture Walk and on Walk Killarney & Kerry 2008 visit www.killarney.ie/walkkillarney.