As I sat out in a sheltered corner last week, eyes closed and face upturned to the sun, I realised it was here. Walking season.
Over the past two years we’ve had some amazing adventures all around this small isle, and the more we see the more we want to share it and encourage people to also respectfully enjoy it. However, we do also realise that quitting jobs and living on the road (eating far too many packets of instant noodles and drying socks on in the wind) isn’t for everyone. What might interest people out there, are the many many amazing walking festivals that are popping up all over the country.
The only walking festival we’ve attended (so far) was the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail Walking Festival, and we had a ball (especially because we got to sleep in a handball alley for the weekend!). So here’s a list of festivals that I’ve found through a bit of searching, and from some wonderful people out there on social media who sent me names and links for different places!
1. Suil Eile Trail Walking Series 2019
April - August, Co. Tipperary
Suil Eile has the great tag line of “Walking with friends - Step in, Surprise yourself” and was designed for local communities to live quality healthy lives, socialise together and to combat rural isolation. Last year their walking festival was based from the village of Clogheen, which at the foot of the Knockmealdown Mountains. Clogheen is also the junction to three major National Waymarked Trails: the Tipperary Heritage Way, the East Munster Way, and the Avondhu Way, and so this year, instead of a walking festival over one weekend, Suil Eile have organised a walking series that covers all three of these trails! As I write this, their walk along the East Munster Way is coming to an end, with the Tipperary Heritage Way trail starting on the 14th April. The walks are spread out across one or two days per month, so there’s no large time commitments and plenty of rest time in between!
The tickets are €35 per day, with discounts if you book a full trail or early bird tickets! For more details on all of the above, see their website.
2. Tullaghobegley Heritage Walking Weekend
May 3rd - 5th, Falcarragh, Co. Donegal
A weekend of activities developed from the original mountain walk, "Turas an tSléibhe". The walk retraces the old pilgrim burial route to Tullaghobegley.
Back in the early 90’s three young women from coiste Glór na nGael had among its heritage plans and actions the cleaning, restoration and documentation of the history of Tullaghabegley graveyard. The restoration works commenced in February 1992 as did the first commentorative walk on the 16 February. Little did the coiste Glór na nGael members Maire Nic Suibhne, Maire Nic Gairbhe, Mairín Ní Dubhchoin think that the walk would become an annual weekend event.
Tháinig triúr ban óg ó Choiste Glór na nGael le cheile i dtús na n-ochaidí agus d’éirigh leo scéim a chur ar bun le Reilig Stairiúil Thulacha Beigile a ghlanadh agus a chóiriú agus an t-eolas luachmhar a bhí sa reilig a chaomhnú. Thosaigh an obair i mí Feabhra 1992 agus bhí an chead siúlóid ann ar an 16ú Feabhra 1992.. Is beag a shíl an triúr, Máire Mhic Suibhne, Máire Nic Gairbheith agus Mairín Ní Dhubhcháin go mbeadh an siúlóid a thosaigh siad ag dul go láidir níos mó na fiche bliain ar aghaidh.
A wide variety of walks, such as the Heritage Walk on Saturday, which features spectacular scenery while learning about the interesting heritage of North West Donegal, walk along the Railway from Falcarragh to Dunlewey, followed by the more challenging ancient burial path from Gweedore to Tullaghbegley, Falcarragh on Sunday.
Contact details: 00353863323367
3. The Annual Kerry Camino Guided Walk
May 3rd - 5th, Co. Kerry
The Kerry Camino takes you from Tralee, through Camp and Annascaul to Dingle (we walked it as part of the Dingle Way), and on this coming May bank holiday you’re invited to “walk in the footsteps of St. Brendan, the Navigator, as a walker or pilgrim, on this journey of contemplation and fun.” It’s a beautiful trail, and the community that are involved in promoting and maintaining bring amazing information and passion!
Tickets vary from €10-€80, here’s a link to their website, and to eventbrite for tickets.
4. Connemara Mountain Walking Festival
May 3rd - 5th, Co. Galway
Formally known as the Leenane Mountain Walking Festival, the festival takes plaec in the village of Leenane, which is situated on the edge of Killary Harbour and surrounded by mountains in all directions. (We walked through it on the Western Way!) This May will be the 11th year of the Connemara Mountain Walking Festival.
According to their website: “Each day there is a choice of at least 3 walks from Strenuous to low level. The 2019 the programme includes: Mweelrea, Derryclare, Ben Gorm & Glenawough. The C walks include the Maunmean & the Killary Fjord Famine Trail. Another unique element of the festival is that the local farmers get involved with guiding the walks and share their vast knowledge, folklore and history of the land. With the farmers involvement in the event, they kindly grant the participants permission to cross their lands and visit areas that are not normally open to the public. Transport to and from starting and finishing points will be provided as well as tea/coffee & scones at various local businesses at the end of each day.”
Here’s a link to their website, and here’s a link to the Schedule PDF!
5. Cavan Walking Festival
May 3rd - 10th, Co. Cavan
Cavan Walking Festival is possibly the longest walking festival I’ve found happening this year, taking place over eight days! From 3rd to 10th May, the festival includes trails, rambles and hikes all led by local trained guides. 2019 is the ninth year of the festival, which takes place at a variety of locations throughout County Cavan. Walkers can choose from Geopark walks, night, nature, forest and history rambles, heritage, family and fitness trails and atmospheric dusk walks, along with a hike on The Cavan Way!
For more information, check out their facebook page.
6. Slieve Bloom Walking Festival
May 3rd - 6th
This year is the 25th Anniversary Slieve Bloom Walking Festival!
The Festival takes place in spring every year as the bluebells come into full bloom. The festival offers a choice of woodland walks, riverside and gentle rolling hills with experienced walk leaders who will enhance your hike with stories of local history, geology and fauna. As well as more strenuous hikes over some difficult terrain from Clonaslee we have included some extra special walks take place this year. These include family friendly walks with Alpachas, a photo walk with the award winning photographer Paul Moore and for the more experienced walker who doesn’t mind getting their feet wet a Geological Odessy in the Silver River with John Feehan.
Festival Weekend tickets are €20 or €8.00 per walk.
For more details, and chances to book tickets, check out their site.
7. The Rosses Walking Festival
May 24th - 27th, Co. Donegal
The Rosses Walking festival is offering wonderful guided walks along the some of the most glorious parts of the Rosses on the Wild Atlantic Way. This is the 3rd Annual Rosses Walking Festival, and will be held across 6 different venues in the Rosses. Walks for all ages and abilities, with all walks €10 per person - this includes a guided walk, transport, refreshments and entertainment. Tickets may be purchased online on eventbrite or at the Ionad Teampall Chróine in Dungloe.
For more information and a look at the brochure visit http://rosseswalkfestival.ie/, here’s a link to their facebook page, or email rosseswalkingfestival@gmail.com
Contact names - Helena McLafferty 074 9522198 or Anthea Atkinson 0874423781
Below is an overview of their walks!
8. The Columban Way Annual Walk
May 25th - 26th, Co. Carlow
According to the event page: “The Columban Way Annual Walk is a 45km section of pilgrim trail along the journey taken by Saint Columbanus during the 5th & 6th centuries from the Blackstairs Mountains, Carlow to Kildare, Laois, Meath, Fermanagh and Bangor Co. Down where he trained. At the age of 48 he travelled to Europe founding monasteries along the way in France, Germany, Austria, eventually settling in Bobbio, Italy where he was laid to rest in 615AD.”
To find out more information about this weekend walk, check out their eventbrite page.
Tickets range from €5.85 - €22.20.
9. Rhododendron Walking Festival
May 31st - June 3rd, Co. Tipperary
In summer 2018 the inaugural ‘Rhododendron Walking Festival‘ took place along the tracks and trails of the Knockmealdown Mountains and surrounds. The event was a huge success and will be held again in 2019 over the June Bank Holiday Weekend (May 31st, June 1st, 2nd & 3rd). There are three tiers of walking scheduled, as well as Fun days and comedy dining experiences.
For more information about the walks scheduled for each day check out www.vee.ie, and you can also keep up to date with the Rhododendron Walking Festival at the Facebook Page – Facebook.com/VeeWalks. or via the Twitter account at Twitter.com/VeeWalks.
Tickets for the weekend range from €5 - €35.
10. The Mourne International Walking Festival
June 21st -22nd, Co. Down
The Mourne International Walking Festival has been running for many years. Most walks start in the town of Warrenpoint, with all walks graded at different difficulties to ensure people can find something to suit their level. The social highlight of the weekend is the aptly named ‘Blister Ball’, an evening of ceili and set dancing to traditional music with a hot buffet supper.
Previously, tickets have started at one day tickets £6/€10, two day ticket £12/€15, three day ticket £15/€20.
Photo: Tony Doherty for the Irish Times
11. The Tom Crean Endurance Walk
June 22, Annascaul
Currently fully booked, the route in the past has been a 28.2km hike, from Mount Brandon to Annasaul, with a total ascent of 1,747m. If you’re interested it’s still possible to add your name to their waiting list, just check out their website.
12. Silvermines Rambling Festival
June 29th, Silvermines, Co. Tipperary
This year is the third edition of the Silvermines Rambling Festival, with new walks to suit all abilities - registration at Hickeys Bar.
For more information, here is the facebook event for the festival, and here is their facebook page.
13. Burren Peaks Walking Festival
Sept 21 & 22, The Burren, Co Clare
As I write this (check update date!) I don’t have any specific details for this years festival apart from the dates, but here’s a link to the festival’s website, and here’s a link to their facebook page.
14. The Sperrins and Killeter Walking festival
Mid September, Co. Tyrone
Located in the Sperrins and Killeter regions of Co. Tyrone, there is an amazing amount of beauty and heritage to explore! Details haven’t been announced for this years walking festival, but in the past they have catered to all varieties of level, from easy strolls to challenging hill walks.
15. Skibbereen Walking Festival
September TBC
There’s not much information out there yet, so here’s what was on last year, and when there are details they’ll be on that site!
16. The Twin Towns Walking Festival
4th - 6th October 2019, Co. Donegal
Based in Stranorlar in Co. Donegal, the Twin Town Walking Festival offers a huge range of walks and outdoor activities for walkers of all levels, and families of all ages. 2018 was the first year of the festival, and included nature trails, adventures in the dark, historical walks, and open air painting!
To keep up to date with festival announcements, check out their facebook page, and follow Wild Days Out for all things walking in Donegal!
17. Wicklow Walking Festival
October 25th - 28th
The Festival will be based in the Brockagh Resource Centre with many of the walks taking us through Wicklow Mountains National Park (the Centre is situated in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains, on the road between the village of Laragh and Glendalough). All walks are led by experienced walking leaders who will enhance your day with information on local history flora and fauna.
The weekend offers a selection of walking choices which you can mix, match, or just choose one. Included in the programme are:
Climb Leinster’s highest peak, Lugnaquilla (925 m).
A night walk on Friday the 25th promising to be a unique and adventurous experience.
A selection of day walks from challenging, moderate and easy on Saturday and Sunday.
A moderate walk on Monday the 28th to celebrate the completion of a great weekend and summer walking season.
(Please note: Walks may be changed on the day depending on weather conditions or the fitness level of the group at the leader’s discretion)
Ticket prices range from €15 - €25, and you can contact the organisers via:
Telephone: +353 404 45152; Mobile: 00353 87 2698659
E-mail: info@walkinghikingireland.com
Here’s a link to the website with lots more details of the walks they have planned!
18. Annascaul Walking Festival
October Bank Holiday weekend, Co. Kerry
The Anascaul Annual Walking Festival is happening on the October Bank holiday weekend. Currently I don’t know many of the details, so here are the links to their website and their facebook page!
19. The Nire Valley Autumn Walking Festival
October TBC
This wonderful weekend, now in its 26th year, offers some fantastic walking, great talking, excellent local guides and the company and camaraderie of like minded friends. Check out their website for festival updates.
20. Carlow Autumn Walking Festival
October TBC
Once there are details you’ll be able to find them here!
A week after my sunshine epiphany, I’m cycling through Dublin and my face is stinging from the ridiculously intense rain. My short cycle becomes a long one as I have to slow down because my breaks are too wet to do anything, and my hands are too cold to pull on them anyway. I curse the sky, remember my thought about walking season having arrived, and laugh at myself.
Needless to say, no matter what time of year you go hiking in Ireland, you’ll probably miss all the weather you thought probable, and walk straight into the impossible.
If there’s a festival we didn’t find, leave a comment below with the details and we’ll add it in!
Happy Hiking!
Last updated: 29th April, 2019
Previous Events:
Westport’s Easter Walking Festival 2019
April 20th - 21st, Co. Mayo
The walking festival in Westport is for the more vertically inclined! They’re hiking the highest peak in Connaught, Mweelrea (814m) on the Saturday, followed by Leenane hill (730m) in County Galway on the Sunday (they do mention that “the walk days are interchangeable”, depending on weather, etc.). Walking tickets are priced at €65.00 for two days or €35 for one day. They also have ticket options that include B&Bs/accommodation, check out this website for more details.
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