Expanding To Galway - Step 8

Easter has been and gone - a little quieter with bookings than last year unfortunately. I spent most of Easter working in Kerry on things like our Killarney Lakes Kayaking and Carrauntoohil Guided Climbs. Driving to and from work through the Gap of Dunloe each day was a great way to wake up! I also used this period to spend time with one of our new Kerry instructor's - Jason McGloin, going through some in-house training. Welcome to the Outdoors Ireland team Jason!

After a few days off on the stunning Sheep's Head in West Cork, I'm back into the Galway office for the next two weeks and this is really the last chance to finalise behind the scenes work before summer season kicks off; things like insurance renewal, safety statement updates, website changes and seo work.

We managed to get our Kerry flyers out in time for Easter, to accommodation and activity providers - thanks to Ruth! Our Galway flyers keep being put on the back-burner due to other more pressing jobs, however I am going through a draft for them after this blog post today.

I finally met with the Galway Harbour Master, who was a great guy, really friendly and helpful, and we have full permission to sea kayak through Galway Harbour, Docks & City. We even have permission to paddle into the actual marina itself, once the marina flood-gates are open, which only happens for a couple of hours each day, due to varying water levels.

The Galway City Sea Kayaking is a fabulous trip, that I'm really excited about - it's so different from our other kayak trips in a real gritty, industrial working docks kind of way.

The Kinvara Bay Sea Kayaking, down to Kinvara Village and Dunguaire Castle and out to the seals is another beautiful trip that I've got to run a few times now - similar to our trips on the Lakes of Killarney in terms of the amazing setting, views and wildlife.

We are spread a little thin at the moment covering two bases and waiting for a second fleet of kayaks and rock climbing gear to arrive, but we seem to be just about managing.

On a really positive note there is an increase in interest and bookings from companies looking for a team building afternoon or team building program. Fota House & Gardens, Killarney National Park and Ventry Beach - Dingle are locations we have been running team training from recently...

Here's hoping for a super productive couple of weeks...

Click Here To Read Our Main Blog

Mountain Skills 1 In Kerry Mountains

Photos & Video From Our Mountain Skills 1 In The Kerry Mountains Over The Past Weekend. The MS1 Course Was Run By Kilian Kelly & Nathan Kingerlee, With A Small Group Of Participants & Cold Dry Weather - Perfect Hill Walking Conditions!

Howling Ridge Guided Climb, Ireland's Ultimate Climbing Route In Kerry's MacGillycuddy Reeks

Gearing Up At Heavenly Gates & Getting That Last Sip Of Water Before Tackling Howling Ridge


Half-Way Into Our Climb, Overlooking Hag's Glen & Lough Gouragh


Belay Point With Des & Gavin; Eastern Reeks In The Background


Final Delicate Traverse Of Howling Ridge, Along 'The Pinnacles'


Close-Up Of Dave Roche, Sean & Ivor, Close To Topping Out


Howling Exposure - Not For The Faint Hearted!

Canoe Trip - Visually Impaired

For Details on Visually Impaired Adventure Trips Click Here

Press Release - Irish Welcome

Together with a dog and goat, Kerry mountaineer Nathan Kingerlee, has just returned from hiking the Blackwater Way, in search of the famous Irish welcome.

''The Irish welcome is alive and kicking'' says Nathan Kingerlee, who completed the 168km trek, from Shrone in Kerry to Clogheen in Tipperary, in six days. The way-marked path links together forest trails, country roads and hillside paths. It's one of 31 national way-marked long-distance trails, including the Beara Way and Kerry Way.

Travelling about 25km a day, Kingerlee, Bob the goat and Cara the dog, stayed in farmhouse B&Bs along the way; where they received a warm welcome in the dusky evenings; the animals being given hay and a shed and Kingerlee being offered home-cooked dinners with the families and healthy picnic lunches the following morning for the day ahead.

''The B&Bs we stayed at were super'' says Kingerlee. ''The best of our experiences came when we were least expecting them... During our second day we met a farmer called Dan Joe, who invited us in for a morning of drinking tea and eating ham sandwiches! I found an organic convent, called the Nano Nagle Centre, who offered my weary animals a stable for the night, while I was fed with fresh soda bread by the nuns. On one of the final day’s we hitched a lift on the back of a tractor and were given freshly baked apple tart!''

Keeping a daily blog on his website, www.outdoorsireland.com, Kingerlee was delighted with the welcome he received along the way, plus the occasional strange look as they strolled through some of the towns and villages.

Bob the goat was borrowed from Cronin’s Yard Farm, a popular spot with hill walkers for beginning the climb of Carrauntoohil; while Cara the dog was Kingerlee’s own Springer Spaniel. After initial suspicion, both animals got on well together, even sharing the same small kennel on the final night.

Asked what’s next, Kingerlee says that he plans to keep hiking, with Bob and Cara, all the way to Dublin, following the East Munster Way, the Leinster Way and eventually the Wicklow Way. He hopes to finish at Aras an Uachtarain and meet the president for tea, along with his goat and dog!

To see photos and his daily blog go to www.outdoorsireland.com

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

Thank You

I was recently asked to give a presentation by Failte Ireland about myself and Outdoors Ireland, which I set up four years ago. I thought I'd post it on our blog also, in case anyone was interested.

I suppose the outdoors has always been my passion. I remember saving pocket money to go kayaking at a water sport centre near Kenmare, eventually buying my own kayak when I was 12 or 13. At the age of 14 I was working my summer holidays for the same water sport centre, washing wetsuits and taking people kayaking.

I left school early, signed up for an instructor training course at Kinsale, and it was there, really, that I decided to make a career in the outdoors. After finishing in Kinsale I worked throughout Ireland, including Cappanalea Outdoor Education Centre and also in the highlands of Scotland, near Aviemore. After working with public outdoor centres here, it was a great experience in Scotland to see how private companies operated, what they expected from their staff and what they delivered to their customers.

Back in Ireland I then worked as a freelance instructor for a couple of years. I was very lucky that I got to work with some great companies like Tiglin, Go Ireland and Pat Falvey.

I set Outdoors Ireland up at the start of ‘06. I didn’t really sit down and devise business plans and financial projections. My freelance work had slowly been overtaken by private work, so I began running more of my own courses, buying more kayaks and equipment and printing business cards. Then I just woke up one day and realised I had all this equipment and customer expectations. Once I realised I had an adventure business around me I decided to take it pretty seriously.

‘07 was a quick learning curve; going from teaching kayaking and guiding groups on Carrauntoohil to things like keeping databases and making expensive mistakes with advertising!

‘08 was a year of looking at more formal structures, looking at how to give our customers the best adventure experience they could possibly have and inspiring them to give us repeat business.

For the last couple of years I've been involved with Failte Ireland, through their Adventure Hub Project and I've found them absolutely brilliant for their advice and innovation.

‘09 then has been a hectic year, dealing with the level of admin and current work, staying on top of our current marketing, constantly looking at new ways to develop.

For the first three years customer numbers increased each year by 100%, This year customer numbers are only up by 15% - 30% depending on the activity, so although it's not as ideal as the first three years 2009 has been a positive year.

My vision is to provide the best training courses and most unique adventure breaks in Ireland. I want customers to have an amazing experience with us, from their initial enquiry, to their outdoor experience, to our follow-up with them afterwards. I want customers to return to us again and again, and to be our ambassadors, using their word of mouth to generate more business. Word of mouth and repeat business would account for a large part of our work.

I went into 2009 very much focused on people. Making our customers feel special and appreciated. Also getting the best team of staff around me I could possibly get. People skills and professionalism are the most important things with my team, coupled with their knowledge and qualifications.

With the corporate team building we run, generally if a company is having problems it’s because of a lack of proper face to face communication, so I took the mistakes the corporate companies have made and tried to apply them to ourselves. Making sure there’s clear communication between us and that my team understand the reasons for the small things around the edges.

This year harder than ever we've looked at giving added value for money for all of our training courses, adventure trips and corporate team building.

Failte Ireland’s Adventure Hub project I’ve found invaluable. Mainly for meeting and getting to know the marketing managers and people behind the hotels and guesthouses in Killarney and West Cork. I’ve found the accommodation providers involved with the Adventure Hub to be a great bunch of people, really pro-active and willing to give anything a try.

My plan for 2010 is to take my vision of offering the best training courses, most unique adventure breaks and exceeding customer expectations and break them all down. It’s easy to say these things, but to continue to implement them will take a lot of hard work. I’m going to sit down with some of my team over the next month and work out how we’re physically going to achieve these things and set targets for ourselves.

Things have gone well over the past four years; but apart from some hard work on my part it's mainly down to our brilliant repeat customers, my fantastic team of guides and instructors and advice from the likes of Vanessa & Roisin from Outsider Magazine and Josephine, Eithna & Siobhan from Failte Ireland. To all of them and everyone else who has contributed to Outdoors Ireland or listened to my ideas I'd like to say a huge thank you!

It wouldn't have been possible without you guys.

How Can We Improve?

I received some brilliant testimonials from happy people who have been out with me and my team. Click here to read them

What I'm really interested in now is how I can improve the services that myself, Daniel, Ferghal and Tadhg are offering?

How can we make things better and smoother for you, from the initial phone call or email all the way through to the end?

Any suggestions and comments would be highly appreciated...
Feel free to be as critical as you like as that will help us improve everything.

Kerry Way Night Hike

Saturday midnight - live Irish music pouring from Kate Kearney's Pub, wind steadily increasing, misty drizzle dampening the air, and us standing in our hill walking boots and waterproofs waiting to meet 14 hardy hikers who had signed up to climb Carrauntoohil.

Because of the gale force winds and torrential rain forecast, after much discussion with my guides, we had changed the route to one of the longer, more challenging, sections of the Kerry Way, which would have us sheltered from the imminent gales!

It was difficult to leave Sean's cosy bus but as the mild night air struck our faces and the tarmac road rose to meet us the adrenaline began to flow and sleepiness disappeared. We crept through a farm yard, disturbing what sounded like twenty dogs, and into Gearhanagour Glen. At a quick break, with the torches turned off, the three sides of the glen rose up around us, slightly darker than the black starless sky. Ahead of us, although the path was invisible, we could see the height that would soon have to be ascended...

After about an hour into the walk, and several streams later, we left the comforting Kerry Way sign posts and the path dissolved into steep open and rocky hillside. Huge boulders littered the ground, with deep knee-wrenching holes between them, often covered by thick heather. The rain was steady and persistent now, silver drops in the torch beams... Mist passed over us in intermittent waves, as we surfed through it our torches pierced only ten or fifteen metres ahead.
After a couple of hours of zig zagging and careful route picking we crested the saddle between Glencar and the Brida Valley. For a short time we were exposed to the full brunt of the wind and rain as we followed a rickety fence along the saddle. Dropping into mist and shelter the hardy, but slightly wet and tired group pulled bright orange kissus over their heads and protected from the weather gulped hot tea and chocolate while Niall and I located our descent route.

Darragh's flickering head torch was a welcome sight as he climbed up to meet us and guide us down into the Brida Valley. The descent path is called the Lack Road and is an old butter road, used by farmers since the 1600s to sell their surplus butter to the Cork Butter Exchange. This was quite a dangerous butter road. Because it's so high and exposed; bandits would sometimes lie in wait to rob the farmers few shillings on their return journey from Cork.

The Brida Valley translates as 'Prison Valley'. Crossing the noisy rivers and rocky slopes leading up towards the MacGillycuddy Reeks it's easy to see why this remote, desolate spot was once referred to as a prison...

The little path leading through the impressive pass between the Brida and the Black Valley is solid and dependable with the occasional wrong detour quickly corrected. The dark mass of Broaghnabinnia looms on our right and looking behind us the sky is beginning to lighten to a dark grey with swirling mist caressing the boulders and spurs. An eerie stone row thrusts bluntly into the grey sky, thought to line up with the rising sun on the autumn equinox by some, or an ancient ancient burial site by others.

The Black Valley opens out before us, people quieter now as 6am and 7am trickle by. The silver jeep, parked beyond the highest house in the Black Valley, is a welcome sight and a carefully planned surprise of 5 litres of steaming drinking chocolate and chocolate bars await us.

Later that morning we sit down in the warmth and comfort of Dromhall Hotel to a delicious breakfast of pastries and full Irish. Toast and marmalade never tasted so good!

I'm running two upcoming Carrauntoohil Night Hikes; one on Saturday 5th September and one on Saturday 14th November.

Click here for more details.

I've four Night Kayak Trips on Lough Leane coming up:
Thurs 3rd Sept
Mon 7th Sept
Sat 19th Sept
Sat 26th Sept
These special trips will begin at 10pm and last for two to three hours, through the little islands on Lough Leane, along the wooded shorelines and into some of the secretive inlets.

The price is €45 per person and all equipment is provided.
To book contact me on info@outdoorsireland.com or 086 860 45 63.

Lough Currane to Sneem Hike

This is one of my favourite pieces of the Kerry Way – a little undiscovered gem!

Leave your car just outside Waterville at the top of Lough Currane, where the marked way leaves the road and heads south.

The rocky path meanders through small fields and climbs steeply to the Windy Gap, where a little crevice cuts through the eastern flank of Eagle’s Hill. The view from the Windy Gap is really and truly breathtaking. One of my best memories of hill walking is reaching this high saddle at 4am on a September morning and sitting down to marvel at the rising sun’s glistening rays illuminating the Caha mountains of Cork, Kenmare Bay and the peaceful Cove Harbour, with its many splintered headlands…

Descending the Windy Gap you’ll pass St Crohan’s Well on your left. According to local expert, Sean O’ Suilleabhain, this well was once used for curing eye ailments!

A delightful green road stretches downhill before you for 3km, although in places the encroaching bog is beginning to claim the road. It’s thought to have once been a butter and farming road. Rumours stir that Daniel O’ Connell’s smuggler uncle, ‘Hunting Cap’ O Connell used this trail in the dead of night to distribute his smuggled alcohol and tobacco far and wide. As his empty boats departed Derrynane Bay, heading overseas for more counterfeit, he used to smuggle wealthy Irish teenagers out of Ireland for college education. This was how Daniel O’ Connell was able to leave the country and receive his education in France.

At the grassy junction of Camomile Corner, take a left for Sneem. Looking back uphill you may see the ruins of old copper mills, last mined in 1900. The ancient living quarters of St. Crohan, a damp dripping cave is nearby the mines.

The Kerry Way now meanders along through farmland, over little stiles and under thick fuchsias. You’ll pass a ruined church and graveyard; further on there’s a 2km detour up to Staigue Fort, thought to date back to about 500 BC.

You climb through a little pass at Ardmore and another at Esknaloughoge, before descending into a thick dark pine wood, where all sounds are muffled and the forest floor always seems to be dry, no matter how hard it rains.

5km of relaxing forest roads and country lanes lead past the brightly painted Garda cottage, with its little Fiat Punto parked outside, into Sneem village. The Riverside Café, halfway through the village, is a great place for toasted sandwiches, mugs of hot tea and sticky chocolate cake!

The hike is approximately 19km and is suitable for most abilities. Waterproofs, walking boots and a map are needed.

This Saturday night I have another guided night ascent of Carrauntoohil scheduled, with some places left available, if you’re interested in something a little more challenging!

Click here for more details

Kayaking & Canoeing in Kerry & Cork

With the good weather and warming water temperatures it’s a great time to take to the water, in a kayak, canoe or sit on top, to explore our local lakes and beaches.

Caragh Lake, just outside Killorglin, is a beautiful deep lake, with thickly wooded shores, steep mountain sides and little promontories all calling to be explored. Six and a half kilometres long and two kilometres at it’s widest, it’s a large open lake, with an ancient burial site on its western shore where the insane and unbaptised were once buried.

Slightly further west are the fabulous golden beaches of Inch and Castlegregory, or Inchydoney to the east. On a calm day these beaches are fabulous spots to learn how to handle your craft; or as exciting Atlantic swell rolls in, perfect for surfing.

SAFETY TIPS
1. Check the weather forecast, paying special attention to the wind and tides.
2. Avoid offshore winds or strong tides.
3. Tell someone where you’re going and what time you’ll return.
4. Always have at least three of you on the water.
5. Check your kayak, canoe or sit on top is seaworthy, for lake or beach.
6. Always wear a buoyancy aid, well fitted and secure.
7. Wetsuit and helmet are nearly essential, apart from the hottest and calmest of days.

For outdoor gear check out Sport Corran Tuathail in Killarney or Maher’s Sports in Cork.

Sport Corran Tuathail, in Killarney Outlet Centre, have a special offer on boats and equipment at the moment.

Maher’s Sports, beside Cork Bus Station, are offering a 10% discount to anyone with a copy of this article.

I’m launching an Outdoors Ireland forum for anyone looking to buy, sell or swop second hand or nearly new outdoor gear. If you’re interested check out http://tinyurl.com/outdoorsireland

Got any more safety tips? Feel free to add your own comments with your own safety advice...

Carrauntoohil for June Summer Solstice

Stand on Ireland's highest peak early in the morning of the Summer Solstice (21st June), the longest day of the year. Watch the sun's rays brighten the eastern skies, on this ancient pagan festival.
After descending Carrauntoohil in the dawn light, enjoy a huge freshly cooked breakfast in Killarney.
Meet at midnight just outside Killarney on Sat 20th, for registration and gear check. Then drive to the base of Carrauntoohil for a three to four hour walk, up the Devil's Ladder area, to the summit. Relax on the summit to watch the sun rise over the Gap of Dunloe and MacGillycuddy Reeks at approximately 5am. Descend down through glaciated corries and high cliffs, on a different route to your ascent.
Finish this unique experience with a huge freshly cooked breakfast in Killarney at approximately 10am.
To participate in this climb you will need full hill walking gear including hill walking boots, waterproofs, spare fleeces and head torch. There is no guarantee of good weather or clear skies for dawn, but the trip will go ahead regardless of the weather, unless it is unsafe.

For accommodation in Killarney, either before or after the climb, I would recommend Scotts Hotel, Robeen House B&B or Killarney Railway Hostel.

The price is €85 per person; or €75 per person, for two people.
Price Includes: Guided Ascent of Carrauntoohil & Freshly Cooked Breakfast

• Try a short relaxing yoga session on Sunday morning after breakfast, completely free of charge, to revitalise your body and mind!


• Kayak Trips on the Lakes of Killarney also available on Saturday and Sunday for the discounted price of €30 per person.

• Two more dates are planned for night ascents; Sat 18th July and Sat 22nd Aug!

• Contact Nathan for more details on info@outdoorsireland.com or 086 860 45 63

The 'Alternative' Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry with its classic stops and view points is world renown; however here are some alternative hidden gems along the way.
Visit Kerry Bog Village, on the main road between Killorglin and Glenbeigh. Here you can explore a traditional 1800s replica thatched bog village, complete with Irish wolf hounds and rare Kerry bog ponies; a great family trip.

Entering into Caherciveen take a right down past the old army Barracks, across the river to Cahergal Fort, an impressive Bronze Age stone fort with great views over Valencia Harbour. There is a second even more interesting fort nearby and also the ivy-clad crumbling ruins of 15th century Ballycarbery Castle, once the home of the McCarthy Mor's, now home only to jackdaws...
Back on the main road detour to the sleep village of Portmagee. A must see is the Skellig Experience Centre, dedicated to the history and stories of the 6th century monastic settlement of Skellig Michael. A great wet weather option. It's told by some that this was one of the last pagan sites in Ireland and one of the reasons it was inhabited for 600 years by monks was to drive out the last of the pagans.

Portmagee is named after an infamous pirate, Magee, who was shipwrecked on the coastline, met a local girl and settled down in the village to a life of married contentment and dangerous smuggling. The Bridge Bar serves delicious food and is a great lunch spot. On a fine day you can sit outside at the water's edge, watching the coming and goings of the brightly coloured fishing boats.

From Portmagee follow the narrow road over the top of Coonanaspig Pass and down to Saint Finan's Bay. Here you can swim in the fresh crashing surf at the sandy beach and call into Skellig Chocolate Factory where you'll be rewarded with sensational smells and free samples of delicious chocolates.

Continue to Derrynane Beach. Here long golden beaches, Daniel O Connell’s family home, wetsuit and snorkelling hire, sailing and windsurfing from Derrynane Sea Sports and the ruined abbey on Abbey Island are all calling to be explored. If you're into hiking, best of all, is a hidden mass path and secretive smugglers trail beginning at the pier and twisting along the side of Derrynane Harbour, through thick encroaching rhododrendrons.

Finish your day with a homemade icecream from 'The Green House' in Sneem.

Join our Outdoors Ireland facebook group to stay in touch with us and get more tips like this.

If you've any suggestions of hidden gems on the Ring of Kerry put them into the comments section below.

Hiking & Hill Walking in Kerry & Cork

10 Tips for Hill Walking

1. Check the weather forecast: www.met.ie or www.windguru.com.
2. Have a map: OS Discovery Series Map, ideally laminated or in a Ziploc bag.
3. Plan your route: where are you going to start and finish, what distance is it, how long will it take you, any hazards along the way such as streams, rivers or cliffs.
4. Get local knowledge: talk to someone who's already done the walk to find out about places of interest along the way, a good spot to stop for lunch, any access issues.
5. Have the right equipment: boots, waterproofs, spare clothes, hat & gloves, food & drink.
6. Park considerately and ask permission from the landowner to cross their land, if necessary.
7. Leave no trace behind you: everything from tea bags to banana skins should come back with you.
8. If the weather begins to put you under pressure or your own abilities are reaching their limits then recognise it as early as possible and change your route accordingly.
9. Take plenty of photos.
10. Don't lose your car keys!

3 Favourite Locations

Killorglin
Just above the little village of Kells, on the Caherciveen road, follow the Kerry Way along an ancient coaching road, past the solitary Ogham stone on the peak of Drung Hill, through the thick pine woods of Rossbeigh and finish with a refreshing cup of tea or coffee in the Towers Hotel in Glenbeigh. This walk has fantastic views over Dingle Bay and Rossbeigh Beach.

Kenmare
Begin at the little chocolate factory in Bonane village, on the Kenmare/Glengarriff road and follow the Beara Way along narrow country lanes, over a grassy hill pass leading over the Caher Mountains and into the sleepy village of Glengarriff. Casey's Hotel in the village do a great bowl of soup!

West Cork
Gougane Barra Forest Park, in the Shehy mountains, has great forest and nature trails suitable for all abilities. From here the river Lee begins it's journey to the sea. The forest is surrounded by mountains which has excellent hill walking and the friendly family run Gougane Barra Hotel, nestled on the lakeshore, serves delicious food and smooth pints.

A Day In Kerry's Outdoors

This is a fabulous day in Kerry’s great outdoors, suitable for all ages and abilities, beginning with a boat trip followed by biking, horse traps or hiking, depending on your interest. All you need are waterproofs, warm clothes, a map, picnic lunch and a camera!

Beginning at 600 year old Ross Castle, perched on the shores of Lough Leane, local boatmen will help you into comfortable open boats for the trip through the three Lakes of Killarney. You’ll pass a solitary overgrown rock, called O Donohoe’s Prison. This is where the original castle owners, the O Donohoe Ross’s, chained their captives, to face exposure and hunger. As you pull out into the open waters of Lough Leane the ruined abbey of Innisfallen will pass on your starboard side. Originally a leper colony, it was also one of Europe’s first universities where several of Ireland’s high kings, including Brian Boru, spent time furthering their education. On at least two occasions the Abbey was attached by Vikings, who came up the Laune River from Killorglin.

Keep a watchful eye on the dense woodland and thick rhododendrons that cover the flanks of Shehy Mountain, for a glimpse of soaring sea eagles. After the noisy excitement of the Meeting of the Waters you’ll chug through the secretive waters of the Long Range River. The shores alongside are plentiful with wild goats and red deer, though you may not see them! The final island, McCarthy’s Island, is told by some to be named after a neighbouring chieftain, who fled to the island while fatally injured during a midnight cattle raid.

A welcome cup of tea or coffee and a bowl of delicious soup await in the little coffee shop at Lord Brandon’s Cottage. The ivy encroached ruins of the Victorian hunting lodge still remain today. At Lord Brandon’s Cottage you’ve several choices to continue your journey. A horse trap and local jarvey can take you on a leisurely trip to your destination, while you listen to their stories of bandits, ambushes and legends. You can rent a bike from Killarney, transport it on the boat and continue from Lord Brandon’s Cottage by bike, or you can hike on foot, allowing you to pick as many ripe blackberries as you can eat!

The Black Valley is an impressive glacial valley, ice-carved many centuries ago by vast glaciers scraping their way towards Killarney. The foothills of Ireland’s highest mountains and imposing views of the jagged MacGillycuddy Reeks lie before you; while the steep valley sides often run with swollen streams and cascades, rushing down to feed the Lakes of Killarney.

A delicious treat on a sunny day is an ice-cream from the shop and hostel, nestled beside the church. Just beyond the church the narrow road forks. Right is the fork you want to take, which leads into the Gap of Dunloe, however if you’re on bikes a great detour is the left fork which descends into the back of the Black Valley, or Cummeenduff Glen. Here you can still sense the isolation and back-breaking work farmers must have struggled with in earlier centuries. More recently you’ll see abandoned famine cottages and overgrown potato rows on the rocky slopes. Coommeenduff Lough, inhabited by arctic char and tough mountain trout, is a beautiful lake to relax beside, enjoy a picnic lunch and dip your toes in the icy water.

Back onto the main fork, a long climb leads to the high Head of the Gap, where the incredible Gap of Dunloe stretches before you. Purple Mountain and Tomies Mountain are on your right, named after the blooming purple heather which covers their slopes. Purple and Tomies makes a great hill walk for another day. The descent down through the Gap of Dunloe is a glorious and exhilarating ride as the wind whips past your face; or the relaxed hike is just as nice, surrounded by the gentle popping of gorse seeds at the right time of year.

The black mountain lakes look inviting on some days and cold and mysterious on others, their water levels fluctuating on nearly a daily basis. Sometimes mistaken for someone calling in distress you’ll usually hear the bleating of hardy mountain goats and their kids coming from overhead cliffs. As you pass the fifth and final lake keep your eyes open for rock climbers on the popular roadside cliff, Brennan’s Leap. You’ll often hear them before you see them, with the jingle of metal equipment and their shouted climbing calls.

Kate Kearney’s Pub is a delightful sight at the end of the Gap, where tea and scones await. If you’ve bikes with you it’s about an hour’s cycle back into Killarney town, on country roads and then a busier main road. There’s a detour after Fossa village which takes you through part of Killarney National Park and Knockreer Estate, avoiding most of the main road and leading you out at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

No better way to finish this great day’s trip than with a slice of delicious Dutch apple cake and a steaming pot of coffee, or smooth Guinness, in The Courtyard at Scotts Hotel in Killarney town centre.

Bike Hire: O Sullivan Cycles – 064 31282
Boat Trip: O Donoghue Boat Trips – 087 2390723
The Courtyard, Scotts Hotel – 064 27738
OSI Map 78, Sport Corran Tuathail – 064 22681

Written by Nathan Kingerlee