Friday

Best day so far, all three of us have agreed...

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I searched the woods at Kilworth for a stick, finally selecting a fine pine staff. Stick in hand, feeling like a proper traveler, we plunged into tracks through thick coniferous trees. It's amazing how having a stick in your hand makes you feel so much more able to deal with things.
An attempt at a short cut across a maze of forestry trails resulted in me becoming pleasantly misplaced. The rattle of machine gun fire drifted lazily through the morning air, from the Ballybeg and Mitchelstown direction. Following shortly after came about thirty army men and women on a fast march over the hill. They didn't seem to know much more than me about our location from what I could gather...

The walking all day was superb. I didn't meet another single walker and barely laid foot on roads. Progress was made along green roads, dirt tracks and woodland, all far from the busyness of life below us. The crisp air revealed the clear outlines of fertile valleys and gentle hills stretching as far as I could see; a far cry from the roaring Atlantic, jagged sea cliffs and high mountains of Kerry and West Cork.

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Later in the afternoon I emerged from a muddy field to find two men wrestling with a tractor, cow and two freshly born calves. As Bob hopped through the hedge behind me, their incredulous reaction was the best I've come across yet. Once the laughter died down I was offered a lift in the tractor box down to their house for a cup of tea.

Tom and Mike were the farmers and Mary was their mother. As we drank through several silver pots of strong tea, Mary kept bringing more and more food to the kitchen table; fresh ham and crusty white bread, soda fruit cake fresh from the cooker, apple tart made earlier that day and pink wafer biscuits.

The dipping sun reminding me I had a couple of hours hiking left, I made my goodbyes. About 5pm that afternoon I arrived at the Hickey's; a large farmhouse B&B set on the Blackwater Way. Tom Hickey seemed to be on the lookout for us and instantly had water and food organised for the hungry animals, while I restrained them from Tom's peacocks.

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Later that evening Eileen cooked us a fine beef dinner, along with more apple tart, while their daughter's 21st birthday plans were discussed.

Thursday

Thursday morning was another crisp, cool morning. Massey and Ferguson, two donkeys belonging to the nuns, had escaped their paddock, so my day begin helping to herd together the excited pair.

After a photo shoot with some of the nuns and Brian, a reporter from the local Avonghu paper, I was invited into the sparkling canteen for soda bread, marmalade and tea.

Back walking again, I passed the old home of the Hennessay family, teetering on a limestone outcrop, overlooking the Blackwater. The river looked an impressive green today. Small caves and tunnels permeated the limestone buttress. Set inside one of the caves I could faintly make out carved stone steps leading up into the underneach of the Hennessay house.

After an uneventful day I met Christy, the local walk co-ordinator, who has been great for suggestions and advice on B&Bs over the past few days. With a little silver trailer behind his car, Christy took us to our home for the night; a 19th century railway building, beautifully restored into a B&B. Billy and Majella at The Old Train House welcomed us and seemed more than happy for my goat to wander through their immaculate garden, nibbling at bushes and trees.

I was shown to a clean room with thick oak joist beams running across the ceiling; part of the original structure.

Later that evening Cara and I wandered into the smallest of Ballyhooly's three pubs for a quick pint before dinner. I was assured by a farmer called John, stting beside the open turf fire, that we're in for a great summer - like the one of '83!

I'm really looking forward to the next two days, as I follow river banks and forest trails over the Kilworth Mountains and Knockmealdown Mountains to my destination of Clogheen.

I'm just now beginning to realise I have no established plan as to how I'm returning from Clogheen to Killarney, along with my two companions! I think the three of us may resort to having to hitch home on Sunday.

If anyone happens to be driving Killarney direction on Sunday and has room for Bob and Cara, plus me and a big backpack please let me know, otherwise this blog might go on for a whole lot longer!

Wednesday

Wednesday began well; Sheila waving us off from her pick-up just after 830am. We struck out cheerfully. I released Bob the goat from his lead once we hit the first of the quiet lanes. All I could think of as I released Bob was what I would say to his owner, John Cronin - back at Carrauntoohil, if I lost his pride and joy. Anyway Bob did us all proud, prancing ahead to see what Cara was sniffing at, strolling back to see I was still following, facing up to horrible little yapping terriers with his horns.

As a mountaineering instructor, quite what made me pack my heaviest boots, designed for snow and ice climbing, I don't know; but I was certainly regretting that decisions now. While the guys munched on some barley I changed into my going-out shoes, deciding that if I ended up in a fancy pub somewhere I'd either have to wear wet muddy shoes or clean hiking boots!

The forest tracks over Fiddane were fabulous and it's a pity they didn't go on for longer. A long, gradual descent led us into the sleepy village of Killavullen - Cara finally slowing down and Bob lingering behind us.

I crossed the village bridge and took a left, following a little bridle path along the deep and fast waters of the Blackwater river. We'd done 24km, dusk was falling, my feet were tiring, the animals were lagging, and the smell of cooking was wafting across the trees of the village.

I was looking for the lights and buildings of the Nano Nagle Centre, a cross between a heritage centre and a convent. The animals had been promised a stable here for the night. The final ten minutes of my journey were a little surreal, as three tired travellers searched for the convent, assured of a friendly welcome from the sisters within. It gave me the closest, short insight I've had to how travellers from the 19th century and beyond must have felt while journeying Ireland's winding, sometimes lonely, sometimes dangerous roads looking for shelter.

The warm soda bread, cheese and jam sandwiches, washed down with scalding tea, served to me by Sister Francis and Kitty was one of the best meals I've had this week! Later that evening I dined on organic pumpkin soup and sipped homemade sloe gin.

Tuesday

Tues morning began with an early walk back into Millstreet, to buy some barley and dog biscuits. I decided to leave my animals tied up to a gate, on a quiet back road leading into town. Returning an hour later I found a slightly worried woman getting ready to take my team to the local animal centre - thinking they were poor abandoned creatures. The local woman, Sinead, had bought a bucket of warm water and a tin of dog biscuits for Bob and Cara, which they tucked into happily.

Having assured Sinead that the animals were being well cared for, we took off along back roads.

Later that morning two cars pulled up beside me and I suddenly found myself facing into a video camera, from the local TV channel, which is broadcast every Thurs - I think they said. After trying to explain my journey to the camera; one of the men, a local farmer called Dan Joe, invited us all to his farm where we spent the rest of the morning drinking pot upon pot of hot sweet tea and eating thick ham sandwiches. It transpired Dan Joe's daughter is currently teaching one of my sisters in secondary school - small world!

After some jiggling of animals, vehicles and horse boxes Dan Joe and I set off across country in his van heading for Nad. Better than any tour guide; I was taken to St. John's Well, a natural cure for warts! Seeing as cups were provided I couldn't pass this by without taking the opportunity to drink some of the holy water.

We drove steeply uphill, looking over rolling hazy countryside and wind turbines peeking over dense pine forests. We swerved down an unexpected detour into the wind farm, which was in final stages of construction, bouncing along wet rutted tracks, through galvanised gates and 'No Entry' signs.

Standing beneath the monstrous turbines was incredible, towering forever upwards, squinting into the sun to see their tops. One of the doors in the base of a turbine was open and inviting, but better judgment prevailed and we made a hasty getaway down forest tracks to emerge eventually somewhere - just don't ask me where; even Dan Joe was lost!

The little pub in Nad offered us a couple of welcome pints of Bulmers along with toasted sandwiches, while Bob grazed outside. Before I'd a chance to get too settled Shelia Crowley and her red pick-up arrived to whisk us to her B&B a few miles down the road.

The welcome I received from Sheila and Ted at Arn Na Coille B&B was superb. I was introduced to their family, including Shelia's father in law; Bob and Cara were given a shed to themselves, with fresh hay; I was shown to a comfortable room with an excellent powerful shower. A home cooked dinner was prepared, which we all ate together, with red wine. The following morning, after a delicious Irish breakfast, I was given a bag of sandwiches and then dropped back to my route again.

Monday

Photo: Valerie O Sullivan www.valerieosullivan.com

It's early Tuesday morning, think I may have woken up the landlady. Yesterday went well, we covered 26km from Shrone, near Rathmore, to Gearraroe B&B, just outside Millstreet.

Driving to the start of my journey the Paps peeked out of swirling white mist. The haze made it hard to tell where the mountains ended and where the cloud began... Derrynafinnia and Lough Glannfreaghaun is an area I'll be returning to; the narrow isolated valley was like a set from the Lord of the Rings.

The start and finish of the day was exactly what I'd expected the Blackwater Way to be like; soft, heathery hillside; undulating grassy trails and misty forest tracks. The middle section of Monday was a lot of quiet country roads with the occasional car.

When I stopped for a break and both animals promptly lay down beside each other and went to sleep I realised what a long day it had been for them!

Millstreet is a busy little town, the constant noisy trucks driving the streets didn't do much for Bob's nerves although Cara was happily oblivious to all dangers!

Naturally the one place I would have to get lost is Millstreet town centre, so only after two laps of the town, with both animals in tow, did I find the Macroom road which led to our B&B.

People seem to very much take it in their stride, when they see us coming; although we did get a couple of strange looks, one couple crossed the street to avoid us, and Bob gave a little old granny a bit of a fright when he went to say hello to her!

I'm not sure how Bob the goat is going to do; he's pretty tired. I'm going to go back into Millstreet this morning and get some barley to perk him up a bit.

We're heading along the flanks of the Boggeragh Mountains today. We need to get to Nad or Bweeng to find civilisation.

Bob and Cara have been offered accommodation on Wed night with the nuns at the Nano Nagle Convent, so I'm on a bit of a schedule now to make it to Mallow in two days.

Sunday

Photo: Valerie O Sullivan www.valerieosullivan.com
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A laptop, three pairs of boxers, some dog biscuits and surprisingly little else, are all packed into my biggest rucksack. I've two dog leads; one for Bob and one for Cara; in case I need them on the road sections, although I'm planning to have both animals trained to trip-trap beside my heels fairly quickly.
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My destination tomorrow night is a little B&B outside Millstreet, that I've actually forgotten the name of. I'll post some photos and a blog here tomorrow evening.
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Any suggestions for a good pub, that does great food, in Millstreet?
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To read the original press release scroll down this blog.

Spring Competition with Scotts Hotel

To kick start 2010 we've teamed up with Scotts Hotel, in Killarney, to run a competition with a prize of a two-day adventure break with luxurious accommodation and delicious food, for two people.

The mid-week prize will involve a guided ascent of Carrauntoohil, Ireland's highest mountain, and a kayak trip across Lough Leane, the deepest and biggest of the Lakes of Killarney.

At night relax in the luxurious and cosy comfort of Scotts Hotel, located in Killarney town centre. You will be pampered with two nights accommodation, hearty Irish breakfasts and a fabulous dinner in their Courtyard Restaurant.

To enter this competition email info@outdoorsireland.com with the answer to the following question:
Who else is in Scotts Hotel's family of brands?

Competition Deadline: Tuesday 2nd February

Dates Are Midweek & Dependant On Availability


Scotts Hotel have just launched their new website - www.scottshotelkillarney.com

A portal that provides instant confirmed room reservations, special promotion packages and a wealth of information on Scotts Hotel and the Killarney area.

“The website is our most important marketing and sales channel, over the years we have noticed that an increasing number of our customers are making reservations online instead of by phone, email or travel agency. Our guest should be able to access the information they need about Scotts Hotel and Killarney without any problem, the new website truly represents our property being the pinnacle of hospitality and service in Killarney town centre” said Maurice Eoin O Donoghue, Managing Director, Scotts Hotel Killarney

www.scottshotelkillarney.com, is a one stop shop for all visitors with full details on activity breaks, up coming concerts, a “what’s on” event guide to Killarney and best available rates for Scotts Hotel Killarney.

The Marketing Crowd was selected to design the new site. The new hotel website design uses strong imagery and gives a lot of space towards showcasing the strong visual that the hotel enjoys. The design includes a simple navigation menu with a prominent “check best rates” thumbnail on the right hand side of all pages.

The website targets all important Scotts Hotel key customers including leisure and business travellers looking for luxury accommodation in Killarney town centre. With information on meetings, events and group bookings looking for a unique hotel experience.

The new website, www.scottshotelkillarney.com will be constantly updated with best available rates and will offer the best value for booking online. The new website has easy access information with details on Scott’s entertainment line up plus up and coming events in Killarney. There is also an option to sign up to our regular newsletter, which will provide details on special promotions, events and competitions for all subscribers.

For further information on Scotts Hotel please contact:
Patricia O Mahony
Sales & Marketing
Scotts Hotel
Town Centre
Killarney, Co. Kerry
T: 064 6631060
F: 064 6636656
info@scottshotelkillarney.com
www.scottshotelkillarney.com

Kerryman's Best Friend - Dog or Goat?

Press Release

Kerryman's Best Friend - Dog or Goat?
Hiking the Blackwater Way with a Goat
18.01.10

Does the famous Irish welcome still exist? Or is it now just another legend like Saint Patrick and Cu Chulainn? On Monday, 25th January, mountaineer and outdoor enthusiast Nathan Kingerlee will begin hiking the Blackwater Way along with a goat and a dog in order to find out.

The Blackwater Way is a way-marked trail, stretching from Shrone near Killarney in Kerry, to Clogheen, near Clonmel in Tipperary. Along the way it meanders down the lush Blackwater Valley, through fertile farmland and weaves through the Bogeragh and Knockmealdown Mountains. It’s one of 31 national way-marked trails, such as the Kerry Way and Wicklow Way. Although a popular route for hikers, it has probably never had such an unlikely group as a man, a goat and a dog travel its paths before!

"I have wanted to hike the Blackwater Way for a long time" says Kingerlee. "The idea of bringing a goat along came to me one evening while in my local bar over a few pints. I had just finished the book ‘Round Ireland With A Fridge’ by Tony Hawks and thought I would love to do something like that but instead of a fridge, a goat would be much better company."

Kerry native, Nathan Kingerlee, who runs Outdoors Ireland, an adventure company in Killarney, is optimistic about his journey. However, his biggest fear is that the goat may not be able to keep up with a 20km – 30km pace each day over 168km. It is a long trek for any human on his own but how will he cope with the company of a dog and a goat? The goat, Bob, is being donated by Cronin’s Yard at Carrauntoohil and Cara the dog is Kingerlee’s own Springer puppy. "As this is outside of tourist season I’m hoping to find enough B&Bs open along the way" says Kingerlee. "The goat will be able to forage for food in the hedgerows and my dog is going through a stage of catching birds, so neither of them will go hungry!"

"In terms of equipment I’ll be fully prepared and organised, but in terms of the actual hike I’ll be doing I’ve no idea what to expect and that’s what I’m really looking forward to. It will be a chance to rediscover Ireland as a tourist, take each day as it comes and see what unfolds along the way" says Kingerlee. "There’s also a slightly more serious aspect, I’ve spent my whole working life in the tourism industry; I want to take a step outside the industry and see if the Irish welcome that we market overseas still does exist in the little towns and pubs along the way and see if the infrastructure and information is in place for a tourist who could step off a bus in Killarney next Spring and decide walk the Blackwater Way."

Kingerlee will be keeping a daily blog of his journey on his website www.outdoorsireland.com.

Ends
Note to Editor: For further information or photos please contact Nathan on 086 8604563 or info@outdoorsireland.com.

Photo: Valerie O Sullivan www.valerieosullivan.com


One of the reasons I'm doing this hike is to raise money for
Kerry Mountain Rescue.
If you would like to make a donation please send a cheque/postal order/bank draft, made payable to Kerry Mountain Rescue, to the following address:
Nathan Kingerlee, Outdoors Ireland
Stookisland, Cromane, Killorglin, Kerry
Also attach your own name and address and one of the Mountain Rescue Team will be in touch to thank you.

Nathan speaking to Rick O Shea, 2FM, on Thursday afternoon, in preparation for the big journey! Click Here (starts at 136 mins)

It looks like I'll be talking to Rick O'Shea again this Monday afternoon, sometime between 12pm and 3pm, so tune in if you're near a radio.

Team Building Ireland

Team Building Kerry
+353 (0) 86 860 45 63
info@outdoorsireland.com

Step 1
Contact Nathan Kingerlee for an initial discussion regarding your team or company's background, what you want to achieve for your team, and what issues or difficulties are facing you.

Step 2
Nathan, together with his experienced facilitators Darragh O Sullivan and Dave Roach, will design a program specifically around your objectives, your requirements and your budget.

Step 3
Nathan and his team will contact you for a phone discussion, or face to face meeting, to discuss your designed program in detail and make any final adjustments, so your program completely fits your objectives.

Step 4
You will be clearly briefed on what your program will involve. All details will be arranged and all equipment will be provided.

Step 5
Your team building program will be run in the designed and discussed format, with experienced team facilitators; pristine outdoor locations; excellent equipment; luxurious, comfortable premises and delicious food. See an example two-day program below.

Step 6
Individual and team learning points and actions will be discussed and planned at your program debrief. The Outdoors Ireland team will contact you the following week to recap your learning points and actions.

Step 7
A team building program needs to be followed up with your own actions and further work. You will be given feedback by the Outdoors Ireland team regarding developing and progressing your teamwork and communication processes in-house and will also be given options as to how to progress with further team building programs.

Step 8
Six months after your program Nathan and his team will contact you for a phone discussion, or face to face meeting, to discuss how your team or company has operated together, if your initial objectives have been achieved and what your future team objectives are.


Team Facilitators

Nathan Kingerlee
Owner/Manager Outdoors Ireland

Quickly established as one of Ireland's leading outdoor training companies, Outdoors Ireland, guided by Nathan, has moved to the forefront of innovative training courses and unique adventure breaks. Nathan's experience throughout Ireland and Scotland allows him to successfully design and develop team building courses of all types. Clients over the past year have included Focus Ireland, Promed and Shannon Aerospace Fire Team. Nathan is also a Fáilte Ireland ambassador for business development and web 2.0 in the Irish outdoor industry.
Nathan Kingerlee/Outdoors Ireland Media
Nathan's Blog

Darragh O'Sullivan
An experienced outdoor pursuits instructor, and professional personal development coach, Darragh is ideally placed to design and deliver team building programs. He is no stranger to running successful adventure challenges, having directed the logistics and operations for Ireland's only ever World Series adventure race, The Turas. Darragh has a varied background, from physics to business analysis, and has worked, travelled and studied all over the world. His calm, supportive style, along with his range of skills and experience, allow him to connect easily with people and empower them to reach their potential.

Dave Roach


Two-Day Sample Program

Monday Evening:
Arrive at the luxurious and comfortable, four star, Lake Hotel; set on the shores of the Lakes of Killarney and surrounded by Killarney National Park. Relax in the Lakeside Bar & Bistro that evening.

Tuesday:
After an early breakfast you will meet with your Outdoors Ireland facilitators in one of the hotel's bright, spacious meeting rooms for a clear brief of your program and objectives.

From here you will work in the wooded spacious hotel grounds, within changing sub-teams and also as one overall team, to complete projects and challenges which will have been designed around your objectives, to raise learning points, bring simmering conflicts and issues to the surface and empower you to perform to your maximum.

Regular open discussions and debriefs will happen in an informal way, with your team very much bringing up your own learning points and issues. Some time will also be spent indoors with tea/coffee and more in-depth debriefs and presentations.

Projects will be designed for all abilities and will result in you having to examine your actions with questions such as:

• What do we want to achieve with this project?
• How are we going to achieve it?
• What are we doing well?
• What needs improving?
• How can we improve it?
• What are we doing badly?
• How can we communicate better?

Most importantly, the Outdoors Ireland facilitators will discuss with you how to take your debrief points and learning points from each individual project and apply them to normal, sometimes hectic or pressurised, working life and corporate projects.

The overall ethos of your program will look at how you take your learning points and communication points from your team building program and use them in real life.

Projects will increase in complexity over your day and may finish on the first day with a night time task, before unwinding with a well deserved and delicious evening meal in the Lake Hotel's Castlelough Restaurant.

Wednesday:
The second day of your program will begin with a refreshing orienteering, planning and strategy project throughout Killarney National Park.

After a healthy lunch you will be tasked with shorter projects where your team will apply it's learnings to agree an overall objective for the day, then divide into sub-teams and achieve your objective.

Tuesday will finish over tea/coffee with sub-teams presenting their learning points to the overall group, explaining how they will apply their learnings back into the workplace and developing a simple action plan they commit to continuing with.

The program will finish at approximately 3pm.
Some of the learning points usually raised are:

• Encourage Opinions within Team
• Planning & Preparation
• Understanding Tasks
• Time Management
• Cooperation & Inclusion
• Commitment by all Team Members
• Dependability & Trust
• Goals & Objectives
• Enjoy Problem Solving
• More Face To Face Interaction
• Listening
• Identify Team Strengths & Weaknesses
• Understand Everyone's Role

To discuss options available to you please contact Nathan Kingerlee:
+353 (0) 86 860 45 63
info@outdoorsireland.com

• Team Building Programs
• Communication Workshops
• Corporate Incentive Days
• Company Adventure Days
• Available Countrywide

''On behalf of all the staff from Nai Ionad Na Cille Ltd. I would like to say a huge thanks to yourself for the excellent Team Challenge Day. The day was very well organised and we certainly had to work together as a team to get through each challenge, especially the lava field and abseiling and you were most supportive. Even though we had 4 seasons in 1 day everyone’s spirits were high all day long. The views were spectacular and we had a lot of fun along the way. The girls are still talking about the day and think they will be for months on end. I would highly recommend a day like this to any team of staff and would hope to make it an annual event.''
Joanne, Nai Ionad Na Cille, Kerry

Dursey Island

Just before Christmas, after an eventful day involving boats, trailers and ferries – which I’m still too traumatised to talk about – I spent a night in a lovely B&B in Castletownbere. The B&B was Sea Breeze, the wireless internet access was free and breakfast was delicious!
9am on a sparkling sunny Thursday saw me driving West Cork’s quiet winding country roads right down to Ireland’s most south westerly point – Dursey.

I parked at the cable car and stepped into the crisp refreshing winter air. Ireland’s only cable car has recently been replaced and is now a shiny blue and silver box. The original cable car, which has been in existence for as long as most people can remember, is now used as a hen coop in a near-by farm. The five min journey across Dursey Sound, from the mainland to the easterly tip of Dursey Island, is a couple of hundred metres, suspended on cables high above the Sound.

Today the tide was rushing through the Sound, erupting in boils, crashing against the wet black cliffs. I’ve kayaked through this stretch of water once, escorted by dolphins, but in much calmer conditions than today...

Paddy squints across the water at me, making sure I’ve disembarked, before recalling the cable car, leaving me, Darragh and Cara the dog alone on this rugged windswept piece of land.

We climb steadily uphill, following the rugged spine of Dursey Island across Knockaree, Kilmichael and up to the old crumbling signal tower on Dursey’s highest point; standing at 252 metres above the grey restless ocean.

It’s possible to shelter from the fresh breeze within the signal tower buildings, although there’s no easy way into the tower itself. The tower is thought to date back to the Napoleonic wars and was part of a system of similar towers lining the Irish coastline. I’ve been here on misty, damp days and it’s possible to imagine people waiting and watching within the thick walls as the wind batters the island, the rain pelts upon the walls and darkness drives in through the draughty cracks...

From the signal tower three kilometres of gentle downhill hiking brings us past one of just a few occupied houses and down to where Dursey tapers to meet the Atlantic; although defiant to its environment – like its inhabitants – the tip rears up into a little hill, before plunging vertically into the water.

On the dry, heathery ground we stretch out, surrounded by the sounds of surf, wind and birds, to enjoy some delicious and unusual food bought from Andy at the Truffle Pig in Kenmare.

Just beyond our feet, swirling in breaking waves, protrude Cuckoo Rock and Lea Rock. Further beyond that are The Bull, The Cow and The Calf. The Calf has a lighthouse perched upon it, warning sailors of the treacherous waters within.

After lunch we return along the Beara Way, then the rutted road, along bleak open landscape, with fantastic views over Dursey Harbour and Crow Head. Sparing dwelling houses, mostly abandoned and ruined, speckle the road on either side. The occasional house is still lived in, or used as a holiday home during the summer, and these small, squat buildings look like beautiful but tough homes. About one hundred people lived here once, now only twelve remain...

Closer to the cable car we pass a neglected graveyard and roofless church, called St. Mary’s Abbey. The graveyard shelters the family vault of the O’Sullivan Beara clan. Nearby is a field called ‘Pairc an Air’ meaning 'Massacre Field'. Here a large number of the O’Sullivan family and followers were murdered by British Forces, during the 1500's/1600's.

After a short wait we returned by cable car to the mainland, windblown, hungry and having experienced one of Ireland’s little hidden gems…

To get there take the R572 from Castletown Bere, for Dursey.
It’s about a 35 minute drive and you’ll need to check with your local tourist office regarding cable car timings.

For details of guided hikes and Carrauntoohil climbs contact us on:
info@outdoorsireland.com
+353 (0) 856 860 45 63

Gully Climbing!

Gully Climbing in the MacGillycuddy Reeks, near Cummeenapeasta.

This was a steep, exposed grade 1 gully which the team roped up for.

Outdoor Adventure Calendar 2010

Singles Adventure Weekend
Sat 27th & Sun 28th Feb
Sat 24th & Sun 25th April
Sat 26th & Sun 27th June
Sat 16th & Sun 17th Oct
Sat 4th & Sun 5th Dec


Outdoors Ireland Team Weekend
Sat 27th & Sun 28th March
Sat 25th & Sun 26th Sept
(weekend for previous customers only)


Bank Holiday Adventure Weekend
Sat 3rd, Sun 4th & Mon 5th April
Sat 1st, Sun 2nd & Mon 3rd May
Sat 31st July, Sun 1st & Mon 2nd Aug
Sat 23rd, Sun 24th & Mon 25th Oct


Rope Work & Navigation for Adventure Racing
Sat 13th & Sun 14th March
Sat 8th & Sun 9th May
(€120 per person)


Solstice Carrauntoohil Night Climb
Sun 20th & Mon 21st June


Mountain Skills 1
Sat 20th & Sun 21st Feb
Sat 17th & Sun 18th April
Sat 19th & Sun 20th June
Sat 18th & Sun 19th Sept
Sat 20th & Sun 21st Nov


Mountain Skills 2
Sat 20th & Sun 21st March
Sat 15th & Sun 16th May
Sat 11th & Sun 12th Dec


Mountain Skills Week
Thurs 18th - Sun 21st Feb
Thurs 11th - Sun 14th Nov
(€280 per person)


Wicklow Navigation & Map Reading
Sun 11th April and/or
Sun 18th April
(€75 per person, per day)


Scrambling Skills
Sat 29th & Sun 30th May
Sat 28th & Sun 29th Aug
Sat 30th & Sun 31st Oct


Learn to Rock Climb
Sat 22nd & Sun 23rd May
Sat 12th & Sun 13th June
Sat 17th & Sun 18th July
Sat 21st & Sun 22nd Aug


Improve your Climbing
Sat 10th & Sun 11th July
Sat 11th & Sun 12th Sept


Rock Climbing Week
Mon 24th - Fri 28th May
(beginner to lead climber)


Kayak Skills
Sat 10th & Sun 11th April
Sat 29th & Sun 30th May
Sat 3rd & Sun 4th July
Sat 14th & Sun 15th Aug


Kayak White Water
Sat 6th & Sun 7th March
Sat 9th & Sun 10th Oct
Sat 27th & Sun 28th Nov


Kayak the Lakes of Killarney
Click here for more info


Climb Carrauntoohil, Ireland's Highest Mountain
Click here for more info


Rock Climb & Abseil in the Gap of Dunloe
Click here for more info

• For more details or bookings contact:
• info@outdoorsireland.com
• +353 (0) 86 860 45 63
• Download Booking Form

• Equipment Provided
• Experienced Instructors & Guides
• Transport, Accommodation & Food Arranged
• All Abilities & Groups Catered For
• Private Courses & Dates Arranged

Radio Kerry - Volunteer Needed!

We've teamed up with Radio Kerry to run a program based on someone facing their fear of heigts!

We're looking for someone who is absolutely terrified of heights, who is willing to face their fear, through a rock climbing & abseiling program.

What's involved will be a step by step process of facing your fear of heights through rock climbing & abseiling, plus speaking on Radio Kerry with Deirdre Walsh and myself, about your experiences.

Are you this person, or do you know someone you could nominate?

Please get in touch as soon as possible on info@outdoorsireland.com or 086 860 45 63.

Thanks, Nathan

Reeks in Winter

Click here for details on Winter Mountaineering Days

Media

West Cork People
I remember watching Bridget Jone's Diary thinking ''Dear Lord, please don't let me be single in my 30s!'' Click here to read more
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Independent
Novice climbers are finding their feet in the Alpine-type environment of Ireland's highest ice-capped peak. Click here to read more
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Irish Times
The snow and ice - and full circle rainbows - made climbing in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks last weekend magical, writes John Collins. Click here to read more
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Irish Times
Since the cold weather last year, there are a lot more providers offering guided hikes and ice climbs around the country. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience a familiar landscape in a brand new way. Click here to read more
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Festival Roadshow
Rob from the Kathryn Thomas Festival Roadshow joined us for one of our Sunset Kayak Trips. Click here to see more
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Nationwide
Maria Mullarkey, from RTE's Nationwide, spent a day with us recently. She was taking part in one of our Singles Adventure Weekends...
Click here to see more
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The Kingdom
WHAT better way to take the temperature of Ireland's world-famous welcome than to step into a tourist's shoes? Click here to read more
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The Atlantic
Last evening I took such a lovely paddle around Ross Island in Lough Leane outside of Killarney. Nathan Kingerlee of Outdoors Ireland collected me from my hotel and I'm sure when he took a look at me (overweight middle-aged woman) he quickly recalculated how far we'd make it in the canoe. Click here to read more
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The Irish Times
Not content with providing one of the best adventure-break outfits in the Killarney hills, Nathan Kingerlee, of Outdoors Ireland, has decided to take on a bit of John B Keane-style matchmaking.
Click here to read more
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The Corkman
WALKING enthusiasts are not a rare sight along the Blackwater Way but with a dog and a goat along as travelling companions they certainly raised an eyebrow or two. Click here to read more
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Sunday Business Post
When a relation ship disintegrated last year, I found myself staring into the thirty somethingand-single abyss. By way of consolation, a friend told me that ‘‘the person you’re meant to meet will come along when you least expect it . . . and when you’re looking your worst’’. Click here to read more
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Sunday Business Post
As a teenager, Nathan Kingerlee saved his pocket money on kayaking and worked for a water sports centre. These days, he’s still kayaking, but it’s as the boss of Outdoors Ireland, an adventure sports business he set up in September 2006. Click here to read more
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Outsider Magazine
Howling Ridge is often considered a rite-of-passage ascent in the Irish mountains. For many, it marks the transition from mellow rambling to more adrenalin-fueled ascents involving rock faces and ropes. It may be stunning in summer but Mark McAuley and some buddies find it sublime in winter. Click here to read more
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Sandra Coughlan
Just back from a Yoga and Adventure break with Outdoors Ireland feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, alive, and planning my return...!
Click here to read more
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Seoige & O'Shea
John Buckley, a retired 66 year old, climbs Carrauntoohil - his life long ambition - along with Nathan Kingerlee on Seoige & O'Shea.
Click here to see more
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Sunday Business Post
You needn’t travel to the far ends of the earth to experience the thrills of a picturesque, adrenalin-fuelled rock climb, writes Roisin Finlay. Click here to read more
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Outsider Magazine
A couple of months ago, Outsider’s Roisin Finlay and Vanessa Lawrenson went climbing in Kerry. Here Roisin fills us in on how the Kingdom’s sea cliffs tested her mettle. Click here to read more
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Renee Navarette
It is important to note from the start that, for the most part, Americans consider Western Ireland a primitive land where short-tempered, drunk men wearing kilts run about the countryside looking for battle with a warring clan... Click here to read more

Snow & Ice Days in MacGillycuddy Reeks

Snow & Ice Mountaineering Days in MacGillycuddy Reeks

To book contact Nathan on info@outdoorsireland.com; +353 (0) 86 860 45 63; www.outdoorsireland.com

Carrauntoohil 'The Step'

Winter Walking in the Reeks

''I would just like to let you know how much I enjoyed the Winter mountaineering day with you last week. I started the day a bit apprehensive, wondering if this was for me. Apprehensions didn't last long and soon I felt quite comfortable and secure using an ice axe and wearing crampons. The Devils Ladder and the Reeks never looked so beautiful. It was a privilege to be there. Well done on your relaxed, safe and enjoyable method of teaching us the snow and ice skills. Looking forward to getting back on the snow again.'' Elizabeth, Kerry
If this winter weather has you dreaming of climbing snowy peaks and icy corries, we're running some winter walking days, to explore the MacGillycuddy Reeks in these pristine snow conditions.

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No previous snow and ice experience is needed, as we'll teach you all the techniques you need to walk and climb in snow and ice. All you need is your usual hiking gear!

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We'll provide limited crampons, ice axes and also transport if needed.

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Price: €75 per person, per day

Dates: Every Day Conditions Allow

Contact: +353 (0) 86 860 45 63 or info@outdoorsireland.com

The conditions will be back before the end of March, so contact us now to put your name onto our waiting list

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Accommodation:

Railway Hostel

Robeen House B&B

Scotts Hotel

''I had a super day out with your team last Sunday practicing winter skills in the newly discovered MacGillycuddy Alps! The conditions were truly alpine and I was pinching myself that this was actually Ireland and not somewhere in the Chamonix valley! Really enjoyed the ice axe arrest exercises and the roped up ascent of the snow and ice filled gulley. The two groups of 5 worked really well and our instructor Dave was great. I can’t wait to get out there again soon. Let me know when the next snow and ice days are being planned and I’ll definitely come along.'' Cormac