Paddy Casey, Snow Patrol, Status Quo and Meatloaf will be among the performers at this year's Killarney SummerFest, which runs from June 30th to July 10th.
I Keano, the musical based on the World Cup debacle in Saipan, will move outside Dublin for the first time for a run at the INEC in Killarney in advance of the festival. The musical, which has been running in Dublin since February, will run from June 20th to 25th.
This will be the fourth Killarney SummerFest but the first to include a Summer Laughs comedy trail.
It will feature comedians such as Ed Byrne, David McSavage and PJ Gallagher.
However, the outdoor concert programme will still be the main attraction, with Snow Patrol and special guest Paddy Casey performing at the Fitzgerald Stadium on Friday July 1st. They will be followed by Meatloaf and Status Quo on July 2nd. Tickets for these concerts are now on sale.
Midnight gigs will be performed by The Revs and Hothouse Flowers at the INEC, while Playtoh, Republic of Loose, Menace, Open Kitchen and Fred and Escapade will perform at the Granary. A free concert shuttle bus will run from Fitzgerald's Stadium to the INEC during the festival.
Families will also be catered for, with a young musician of the year competition, a production of Pinocchio, a children's fashion show, a teddy bears' picnic, art exhibitions, an arts trail, crafts and street markets. The festival will also include a Ring of Kerry cycle, a family fun run for charity and a barbecue.
Patrick O'Donoghue, chairman of Killarney SummerFest, said a community parade would be one of the highlights of the festival, with schools, youth clubs and music clubs providing colourful street entertainment and drama.
"The entire town is immersed in the action with street theatre, busking competitions and musical entertainment of all styles happening daily," he said.
Full details of the programme can be found at ww.killarneysummerfest.com
