Have walks to suit all levels ranging from 1hr to 4hrs. All our upcoming walks are on our walking list page..   https://ballyhourabears.com/walks/walking-lists

October is here, and Bruff is full of autumn magic!   From grown-up Halloween décor and crisp autumn walks to the Ballyhoura Walking Festival, spooky Lough Gur events, the Samhain Parade in Limerick, and inspiring talks at the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Autumn School-there’s something for everyone this season.

Looking for live music in Limerick? Every night at The Locke Bar, they host Limerick’s biggest traditional Irish Music session. With musicians playing classic Irish & contemporary tunes, accompanied by live Irish dancers - this true taste of Ireland is not to be missed! Nightly sessions kick off each evening from 9pm until late. Walk-ins are welcome on a first come, first served basis each evening.   The Locke Bar & Restaurant The Locke Bar, 3 Georges Quay, Limerick Telephone +353 61 413733 Email enquiries@lockebar.com More Info www.lockebar.com

Celebrating Roots and Legacy: Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Autumn School Comes to Bruff This October, Bruff and the surrounding area will play host to a compelling and far-reaching celebration of heritage, identity and diaspora — the fourth annual Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Autumn School, set to take place from October 24–26, 2025.   Why Bruff? Bruff holds deep connections to the Fitzgerald-Kennedy story: three of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy’s four grandparents originated in this region (Bruff / Lough Gur) before emigrating to Boston in the mid-19th century. The Autumn School aims to explore and honour these ancestral links, bridging local memory and global consequence. In hosting the event, Bruff positions itself as more than a backdrop; it becomes an active stage for telling the story of emigration, identity, women’s lives, and transatlantic connections.   Programme Highlights & Themes Over the course of the weekend, a varied and ambitious programme will take place across Bruff and Lough Gur. Some of the featured events and themes include: • Opening session (Thomas Fitzgerald Centre, Bruff) — keynote addresses by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (granddaughter of Rose Fitzgerald) and Barbara Perry, moderated by Marty Morrissey. • The Magic of Lough Gur — a session by the City of Limerick Pipe Band at the lakefront • Local Folklore Project — moderated by Brian Collopy, drawing on oral histories and local stories • Trailblazers: Irish Nurses in the NHS — featuring Prof Louise Ryan and Gráinne McPolin • America: Concept and Reality – impact on Irishwomen’s lives (1845–1920) — led by Dr Bernadette Whelan • Good Friday Agreement – reflections on peace process today — panel including Liz O’Donnell, Prof Monica McWilliams, Tim O’Connor • America 2025: The Trump Effect — discussion with Dr Scott Lucas and Prof Gary O’Brien • Closing concert — a performance by Bruff branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Other features include a Mass and community breakfast at Lough Gur (with special remembrance for Fitzgerald family and emigrants), visits to ancestral sites, and opportunities to view family archival material.   Significance & Aspirations This year’s Autumn School carries additional symbolic weight: it marks the 30th anniversary of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy’s passing and coincides with the 100th anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy’s birth. Organisers emphasize that beyond celebrating a famous name, the event is about telling broader stories: the experience of women, the long arc of Irish emigration, the nature of identity, and the connections between Ireland and its diaspora By bringing international voices and local historians together, Bruff becomes a site of conversation and reflection, not just commemoration.   Practical Info & Participation • Venues: The Thomas Fitzgerald Centre, Bruff; Lough Gur Visitor Centre; various local sites. • Tickets: Weekend and individual event tickets available via Eventbrite. • Who should attend: Anyone interested in Irish history, diaspora studies, local heritage, women's history, or the Kennedy legacy. • What to expect: A balance of lectures, panels, community gatherings, cultural performances, site visits, and conversation.

The dates for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor have been confirmed, with the biennial matchplay event taking place from 13-19 September. The Limerick course was awarded the event back in 2019, when the tournament was originally envisioned to take place in 2026 until the Covid pandemic pushed back the schedule by a year.   It will mark the second time that Ireland has hosted the event, the K Club having been the scene of Europe's most dominant win on home soil back in 2006, when Ian Woosnam's team won 18.5 to 9.5.   The JP McManus-owned resort at Adare Manor has hosted the Irish Open on two occasions in 2007 and 2008, with Pádraig Harrington becoming the first home winner in a quarter of a century in '07.