26 August 2010

Killarney Sunset


Sunset reflecting across Lough Lein, as the sun dips below the tree-line and disappears into the west, behind the wilds of Dingle and the Slieve Mish... Sunset Kayak Trips

25 August 2010

MacGillycuddy Reeks Traverse


We're running a full-on mountaineering day, traversing the MacGillycuddy Reeks, on Sunday 12th September.

This tough day will take in twelve peaks of the MacGillycuddy Reeks, including The Big Gun, Carrauntoohil and Beenkeragh and will begin at 7am on Sunday morning.

Price: €85 per person
Price Includes:
Qualified & Experienced Guides
Hiking Boots
Transfer

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

24 August 2010

Summer Kayaking






Kayaking on Lough Lein today


River Kayak Skills on Laune River yesterday

21 August 2010

Last of the Summer


Our 'Pay What You Like' Week is kicking off tomorrow, Monday 22nd August; with a full day kayak trip across Lough Lein and down the Laune River to the splashing rapids at Beaufort Bridge.
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This is followed over the week by Guided Climbs of Carrauntoohil, the renoun and breathtaking Coomloughra Horseshoe, Kayak Skills Training, Rock Climbing on the Gap of Dunloe's sandstone cliffs and Kayak Trips into the limestone caves of the Killarney Lakes. The week finishes with a Mountain Skills Day on Saturday 28th and another River Kayak Trip on Sunday 29th.
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To Book Contact Ruth:
+353 (0) 86 860 45 63

16 August 2010

Best Photos of 2010


Dusk Falling on Lough Lein


Abseiling From 'Rescue Rock'


Late Finish in MacGillycuddy Reeks


Killarney National Park by Kayak


Kayaking for The Irish Open in Killarney


Our Grade 1 Climb Looming Ahead


Sunset Kayaking on Lakes of Killarney


Winter Mountaineering on 'The Bone'


Scrambling Course with Carrauntoohil in the background


Safety Cover in Hag's Glen, for Water Aid

Climbing 'Three In A Bed' in the Gap Of Dunloe
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Rock Climbing on 'H Buttress'

Hag's Tooth Ridge, in the MacGillycuddy Reeks
(Photo: Eric O Gorman)

Pay What You Like


PRESS RELEASE

Pay What You Like for Outdoor Adventure in Kerry
16th August 2010

Outdoors Ireland is offering the chance for people to pay what they like for a range of exciting outdoor activities this August. The adventure company, based in Killarney, wants to thank its loyal customers, and offer beginners the opportunity to experience the fun, adrenaline or relaxation of kayaking, hill walking and rock climbing.

For the entire week, from Monday 23rd to Sunday 29th August, people of all ages and abilities can take part in any of Outdoors Ireland’s scheduled activities, paying what they like. Nathan Kingerlee, the outfit’s manager, says he wants to show why adventure sports are the way to go for people feeling the pinch in the recession. “The past year or so has been a very exciting time for us” Kingerlee says. “More and more people are turning to the outdoors for fun, healthy and relatively inexpensive pastimes. This can only be good for us as a nation, and if we can help with getting people started, we’re delighted to do so.”

Irish people are taking to the hills, rivers and lakes in greater numbers than ever. Many have foregone their expensive gym membership for a pair of hiking boots; others are enticed by Fáilte Ireland’s invitation to holiday at home, and sample our country’s hidden adventure playgrounds. They are finding that a small investment in the right gear and training gives a lifetime of simple, healthy pleasure. “Outdoor sports are win-win”, enthuses Kingerlee. “They are great craic, good for you in every way, and a brilliant way to meet new people!”

Outdoors Ireland, set up in 2006, has grown steadily into one of Ireland’s leading providers of outdoor skills training, adventure breaks and team building events. Combining a strong dedication to professional standards and fine detail, with a contagious sense of enthusiasm and fun, the company has developed a loyal following. Outdoors Ireland’s standards are reflected in becoming the country’s only adventure company to achieve Gold in the Green Tourism Business Scheme, an environmental award backed by Fáilte Ireland.

Kingerlee fully appreciates his fortune in growing during a recession, and hopes to show that a tighter budget is no reason not to have fun. “Thankfully our growth has meant that we haven’t had to drop our prices in the recession, but we’d like to give something back. This is our way of thanking those who have helped get us to where we are, and to offer beginners the chance to experience the joy and value of outdoor sports; just because there’s a recession on, shouldn’t mean you can’t go on holidays!”

For more details contact Outdoors Ireland:
+353 (0) 86 860 45 63.
To Book Contact Ruth:
info@outdoorsireland.com
+353 (0) 86 860 45 63

Schedule
Mon 23rd
1. River Kayak Trip: 10am - 4pm

Tues 24th
1. Guided Climb of Carrauntoohil: 9am - 5pm
2. Kayak Trip on Killarney Lakes: 10am - 1pm

Wed 25th
1. Learn to Rock Climb, Day 1: 10am - 4pm
2. Kayak Trip on Killarney Lakes: 10am - 1pm

Thurs 26th
1. Learn to Rock Climb, Day 2: 10am - 4pm
2. Kayak Skills Day: 10am - 4pm

Fri 27th
1. Carrauntoohil's Coomloughra Horseshoe: 9am - 5pm
2. Rock Climbing in Gap of Dunloe: 10am - 1pm

Sat 28th
1. Guided Climb of Carrauntoohil: 9am - 5pm
2. Mountain Skills Day: 10am - 4pm

Sun 29th
1. River Kayak Trip: 10am - 4pm

Terms & Conditions
Subject To Availability
Two Bookings/Days Maximum Per Person
Three People Maximum Per Booking
Over 18s Only
May Not Be Applicable To Participants Of Previous Promotions

Places are limited so once you're booked we need you to attend, whatever your circumstances, and guarantee that you won't cancel.

12 August 2010

Weekend Places in Killarney


Saturday 14th
Kayak Trip on Killarney Lakes
10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm
Price: €50 per person
All Equipment Provided

Rock Climb in the Gap of Dunloe
2pm - 5pm
Price: €50 per person
Beginners Welcome


Sunday 15th
Guided Ascent of Carrauntoohil
9am - 5pm
Price: €75 per person
Hiking Boots Provided

Kayak Trip on Killarney Lakes
10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm
Price: €50 per person
All Equipment Provided

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

Sea Kayaking Kerry


Sea Kayak Trip on Castlemaine Harbour last night, with sunset over Dingle Bay in the background and a young white seal pup in the water...

10 August 2010

Killarney Summerfest


We teamed up with Killarney Summerfest, to run a variety of adventure trips over the week, including Kayak Trips, Guided Climbs of Carrauntoohil and Sunset Kayaking.
Here's some photos from a great week!

Sunrise on Carrauntoohil

Here's some photos from our last guided climb of Carrauntoohil at night, for sunrise on the summit...








MacGillycuddy Reeks in Snow


After some dramatic weather patterns in Kerry over the past days here's some photos of superb snow and ice conditions we experienced in the MacGillycuddy Reeks and Carrauntoohil yesterday... Photos by Eric O Gorman.

Sunset Over Kenmare Bay From Christ's Saddle


Iced Up Devil's Ladder


Weather Beginning To Turn...


Topping Out On Hag's Tooth Ridge

7 August 2010

Howling Ridge, Carrauntoohil


Moving together on 'The Bone' in preparation for Howling Ridge


Practicing placing and removing slings from spikes and threads


Rope work training


Howling Ridge looming in the mist

Part way up Heavenly Gates, on the way to Howling Ridge
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Half way up Howling Ridge, in the mist


Looking back at 'The Fingers' we had just crossed

4 August 2010

Fishing - Kerry Style

Carrauntoohil Climb


Guided Climb of Carrauntoohil, MacGillycuddy Reeks, this week; via O Shea's Gully.

2 August 2010

Sunset Kayak Trips


Sunset Kayak Trips on the Killarney Lakes

Watch the sun set in the west, over the Dingle Peninsula, as you kayak past rustling islands and sleepy swans. Land at the mystical 6th century abbey ruins on Innisfallen Island and hopefully glimpse some of Ireland's last native red deer...

7pm - 930pm
€50 per person

All Equipment Provided
Beginners Welcome
info@outdoorsireland.com
+353 (0) 86 860 34 53



Mountain Navigation Training

Last weekend we ran a Mountain Training & Navigation Day for Focus Ireland's 4 Peaks Challenge and also their Highest Peak Challenge. We were based in Laragh and used the Wicklow Mountains for our map reading and navigation training.

Apart from the technical aspects of the training day here's some of the more subtle points that we covered, that are just as important on the hills and mountains as map reading skills.

When you begin your hill walk, be a little on the chilly side; as once you start moving you're going to warm up, to what is hopefully a comfortable temperature. If you begin your hill walk at a comfortable temperature you'll soon be overheating and need to stop to shed layers.

Try not to sweat, as you both dehydrate yourself and also get your layers damp - which turn cold when you stop. Some people change into a dry top at the end of the first main, hot ascent.

Use both your walking pace and open or close all of your different zips to adjust body heat. Also taking smaller than usual steps will make your day easier, especially ascending.

On steep, broken or slippery ground try side-stepping or edging your boots into the slope of the hill to give you better grip (like side-stepping on a pair of skis).

Be organised with your backpack - know where everything is and have everything in waterproof bags, or a backpack liner. Put gear into your pockets when you stop for a breather, that you think you may need, such as chocolate or compass, so you don't waste time constantly stopping, starting and searching for gear.

There is quite a bit of essential gear needed a day in the hills, but to sum it up, do you have enough equipment to survive cold, wet weather, or an overnight on the mountains? Even if you need to call Mountain Rescue, there is often a wait of three to six hours before they may arrive with you and then you still need to get down off the mountain. A €10 bivvy bag/survival bag is an essential item for the bottom of your bag, plus a plastic whistle and torch.

If You Get Lost: stay where you are; stay warm and dry; blow your whistle; listen for the other party members calling for you.

If You Lose A Member: stay calm; retrace your steps, in a linear fashion; blow your whistles; listen for the lost member calling for you.

For Mountain Skills Courses Click Here


More Info
Map Reading & Navigation:
http://tinyurl.com/cy7qf5

Taking A Compass Bearing:
http://tinyurl.com/dn5gbu

Taking A Compass Bearing:
http://tinyurl.com/dlwt3m

What To Look For With Hiking Equipment:
http://tinyurl.com/bcprzv

Preventing Mountain Incidents:
http://tinyurl.com/c5wgxc

Tees & Paddles


We were asked by Failte Ireland to run kayak trips on the Killarney Lakes over the four days of the Irish Open, for adults, teenagers and kids. Our aim was to show visitors to the Irish Open some of the other possibilities for return trips to Kerry and also to hopefully be prominent in TV shots panning across the Lakes of Killarney, displaying this amazing amenity to viewers all over the world!
Here's some photos from the four days.

We run regular day-time kayak trips and sunset kayak trips on the Killarney Lakes most days.