Festivals are ideal break

IRISH Festivals used to revolve almost solely around music and drink, not necessarily in that order.

Well, no doubt both will be present during the Nire Valley Walking Festival on October 10 and 11, but it’s really more about fitness. The festival is based in the Nire Valley and Ballymacarbry areas with the scheduled walks in and around the Comeragh Mountains. The area boasts outstanding natural beauty with an abundance of lakes, rivers and hills. The natural landscape offers serious challenges for the seasoned hiker, but also caters for those who want to meander in and out among the beautiful scenery at a more relaxed pace.

Foodies will be headed around the same time (October 9 and 10) to Kinsale for the annual 33rd International Gourmet Festival hosted by Kinsale Good Food Circle, a group of 12 hotels recognised for their high standards of cuisine.