Carrauntoohil On A Misty, Rainbowy, Sunny Day!

Some recent photos from a guided climb I led on Carrauntoohil, with four lovely clients, who had originally been with me just over ten years ago on a sailing course in Caherciveen! Nathan

Please Text To Make A Last Min Booking

I am working out of the office at the moment, on the water or cliff face. To make a last minute booking please text +353 (0) 86 860 45 63 and I will get back to you as quickly as possible. Thanks, Nathan

Intro To Lead Climbing Course This Fri/Sat

This Fri 24th & Sat 25th Jul we have two places available for an Intro To Lead Climbing Course in the Gap of Dunloe, covering the following:

Techniques
Sling Anchors
Lead Set Up
Central Set Up
Bottom Rope
Top Rope
Lead Climb

For more details or to book please contact Nathan on info@outdoorsireland.com or +353 (0) 86 860 45 63.

Sky TV/Irish TV Sea Kayaks With Nathan

TV Program 'Kenny Wild' Sea Kayaks With Nathan: http://www.irishtv.ie/kenny-wild-ep-4

Irish Work Horses On Edge Of Killarney National Park

Irish Work Horses On Edge Of Killarney National Park, During A Guided Kayak Trip With Outdoors Ireland

Irish Times Journalist - John Collins

“I can't do this!”. It's the phrase that strikes fear in the heart of every parent.

It's one thing hearing it when your offspring are sitting down doing their homework, but when you hear it uttered in the middle of the Killarney Lakes with a squall blowing in your face and your first born coming to terms with her first outing in a kayak, it's another thing entirely.

Before anyone rings social services it should be pointed out we were in the extremely safe hands of Jason a guide with Outdoors Ireland, the well-regarded Killarney based outdoor pursuits company.

Outdoors Ireland had put together a two day program of activities that would appeal to both adults and kids and hopefully show us a side of Killarney that we wouldn't normally see on a family break. Let's face it many of us have highly active lifestyles until we have kids but once they arrive our weekend's start revolve around ferrying them to activities.

If you fancy a combination of family holiday and a little bit of adventure possibly only Westport can claim to have anything approaching the facilities of Killarney. The Kerry town is one of those quintessential Irish holiday destinations. Those aged 30 or over probably have some rose-tinted memory of a family outing to the lakes, Kate Kearney’s cottage or Muckross House.

But with such rugged scenery, easy access to the highest mountain in Ireland, a growing network of bike and walking trails of all grades, and those lakes, Killarney has recently been branding itself as the adventure capital of Ireland. These days you’re as likely to be asked if you want to go climbing in the Gap of Dunloe as go on a jaunting car tour when you visit the Kerry town. The annual Killarney Adventure Race, which attracted a couple of thousand competitors to cycle, run and kayak across the local hills and lakes last October, has both capitalised on and cemented that reputation. And later this year Killarney will host something called the Adventure Travel World Summit when hundreds of rugged types who make a living selling outdoor holidays will hit town.

So much for the context. Is it actually possible to combine what Killarney has to offer as a family destination with its more strenuous activities and have a break that appeals to the kids as well as the parents?

We stayed at Muckross Park Hotel, which is actually inside the boundary of Killarney National Park and is ideal location for quick access to the great outdoors. The five star hotel with its adults-only Cloisters spa, is probably considered more of a couples’ break destination but we found it worked well for a family. The traditional hospitality – from roaring open fires to eager to please staff – was certainly what the doctor ordered when we arrived in Kerry on a wet and wild Autumn evening.

We began the two days gently enough by heading out to Donie O Sullivan's Killarney Riding Stables. Established by Donie in 1968 he still plays a hands on role in the running of the business and like nearly all his county men who work in tourism, he has an easy patter that is extremely popular with visitors. The stables offer a range of multi-day trail rides but with an 8 and 10 year old in tow we opted for something a bit more sedate. Going for a trot in a paddock wouldn't normally be my idea of a great way to spend a morning. But with the lakes and mountains as a backdrop – the girls amused themselves trying to identify Caurantoohill – it turned out be a fun couple of hours for everyone. The horses were docile enough so we weren't worried about the girls being able to control them but they were also happy to trot along when the front horse picked up the pace.

After a quick pitstop at Murphy's Ice Cream – for hot chocolate rather than anything from the freezer – it was down to Ross Castle to embark on the aforementioned afternoon on Lough Lein. It being Ireland we'd already experienced sunshine, rain, sleet, and dramatic gusts of wind, and grey clouds were gathering as we struggled into our wetsuits.

Sure enough when we put the boats into the water the sky turns black, the wind whips up and large drops of rain start falling. This is not the introduction to kayaking for the kids that we imagined when planning this trip. Fortunately Jason has a leash which he attaches to one of the girls kayaks so he can tow her, while the other is in a double canoe with me.

Less than an hour later as we pull the boats onto the shoreline on Innisfallen to inspect the remains of the 10th Century Abbey and refuel on Jason's much-neeed tea and chocolate the winds have died down and the rain has stopped. With no one else on the island and having approached under our own power rather than a motorised boat we haven't disturbed the native red deer that live here. While the smaller deer take to their heels a large stag ambles off stopping now and then to stare at the human invaders.

For me it's a special moment, cheering everyone up and suggesting this is not going to turn into an endurance test. In reality though it's probably the chocolate that turns the kids mood. Back on the water the breeze is behind us and Jason has the chance to show us the sights such as where the white tailed eagles were re-introduced to the park or the remains of the eighteenth century copper and lead mines.

Although the sun peaks out on our way back to Ross Castle, we are still glad to wriggle out of our wet wet-suits and get back to the warming comforts of Muckross Park. The kids content themselves browsing the selection of DVDs provided by the hotel, their mother heads off to the spa for a massage while I take up residence in front of a massive open fire in the library with a good book and an even better glass of red wine.

The next day Jason decides to postpone our rock climbing session in the Gap of Dunloe until the afternoon when the weather forecast is significantly drier – flexibility is the key to success of an Irish outdoor activity break. One leisurely traditional full Irish breakfast later we're trudging up through the heather to one of the many climbing crags that dot the picturesque valley. Jason has been up earlier to fix ropes for us so after a quick reminder of the safety drills our youngest is scampering up the rock face.

The sun is out, we're all together getting fresh air in one of the most beautiful spots in Ireland. What more could you ask for a quick break only a few hours drive from home?

Soon its my turn and the girls are keen to see how their father fares. Before I know it I'm about 10 metres off the ground and faced with an awkward leg movement if I'm to make any further progress. Over my shoulder I can see the spires of Killarney, below my feet my smiling family shout up encouragement. A desperate thought crosses my mind but as soon as it does I smile and push upwards. “I can't do this,” I think for a fleeting moment.

Rule Of Three

The 'Rule Of 3' In An Emergency Or Survival Situation:

3 Mins Without Oxygen = Brain Damage

3 Hrs Of Too Much Cold = Hypothermia

3 Hrs Of Too Much Heat = Hyperthermia/Heat Stroke

3 Days Without Water = Major Trouble

3 Weeks Without Food = Major Trouble

Recent Photo Round-Up

Ewe On The Kerry Way Near Caherdaniel

Cormorants Drying Their Wings After Lunch

Sleepy Hiding Fawn

Freshwater Mussel On Bank Of Flesk River

Lunch Break On Flesk River

Rescued Bumble Bee On Lough Lein

Limestone Cave With Torc Mountain In Background

Outdoors Ireland Training School - Course Calender 2015

Here is our training course calender for the remainder of 2015. As well as the courses you see scheduled it may also be possible for us to run extra courses and private training, so feel free to get in touch.

Sat 3rd & Sun 4th Oct
Mountain Skills 1 : Wicklow

Sat 10th & Sun 11th Oct
Kayak Skills 3

Sat 17th & Sun 18th Oct
Learn To Rock Climb : RC2

Sat 24th & Sun 25th Oct
Mountain Skills 2 : Kerry

Sat 31st Oct & Sun 1st Nov
Bushcraft Survival Skills 1 : Two-Day

Sat 7th & Sun 8th Nov
Mountain Skills 1 : Kerry

Fri 13th - Sun 15th Nov
Bushcraft Survival Skills 1 : Three Day

Sat 21st – Mon 23rd Nov
Learn To Lead Climb : RC3 (Part 1)

Sat 21st & Sun 22nd Nov
Learn To Rock Climb : RC2

Sat 28th – Mon 30th Nov
Learn To Lead Climb : RC3 (Part 2)

Sat 5th & Sun 6th Dec
Mountain Skills 1 : Galway

Sat 12th Dec
Mountain Winter Skills : Crampon & Axe Skills

Sun 13th Dec
Mountain Rope Skills : Emergency Mountain Rope Work

Sat 19th & Sun 20th Dec
Mountain Skills 2 : Wicklow


Contact Us For More Details

Click Here To Book A Course

Bushcraft Survival Skills 1

We have a Bushcraft Survival Skills Level 1 Course scheduled for Sat 26th & Sun 27th Sep, in the wilds of Kerry...

This is a beginner friendly course, however is pretty intensive and jam packed.


Sat begins at 9am and will include foraging/fishing for dinner and overnight bivvy in the woods. Sun finishes at 5pm.
The price is €180 per person.

Please Click Here To See Course Content

Please Click Here To Book

All Upcoming Dates:
Sat 26th - Sun 27th Sep (Two-Days)
Sat 31st Oct - Sun 1st Nov (Two-Days)
Fri 13th - Sun 15th Nov (Three-Days)

Wild Foraged Lunch

Freshly picked wild strawberries and young hawthorn leaves for lunch last weekend.