As middle age looms, I am knee-deep in my attempt to climb the 40 highest mountains in Ireland. To be honest, ticking off all of these summits before I turn 40 is proving to be a massive logistical effort. I now realise why climbing so many mountains may not appeal...
I’m based in Dublin so a lot of my hiking and walking takes place in and around the Wicklow Mountains. I feel blessed to have such a beautiful part of the world right on my doorstep. For many of these Wicklow hikes, I drive through the picturesque village of Roundwood...
This guide to the best walks in Derry aims to give you some inspiration for your next visit. My first ever trip to Derry combined a friend’s stag do with the Fleadh Cheoil music festival being held in the city. As you can imagine, I didn’t get to see a...
The Slieve Binnian Loop is a really popular walking option in the Mourne Mountains. The route proves challenging yet not overly long. The well defined paths and trails mean no tough slogs through heavy heather and gorse. Plus, the really great thing about the Slieve Binnian Loop though is that...
I love this Glenbarrow Loop Walk — what an absolute gem of a trail. The highlight is undoubtedly the glorious waterfall. You have the option of visiting it at either the start or the end of the walk, depending on which direction you take. I’m always in favour of saving...
Knockanaffrin Mountain ranks as the 33rd highest mountain in Ireland. At 755m, it is also the third highest peak in County Waterford, behind Knockmealdown and Fauscoum. The hike itself is relatively straightforward, with excellent views of the surrounding rolling countryside, neighbouring mountains, and occasional glimpses of shimmering mountain lakes. There...
I’ve previously written a guide to buying hiking boots, focusing on what to look out for when choosing a new pair. However, for the first time in over a decade, I recently found myself in the market for boots again. This article looks specifically at the option I chose —...
I love the Mournes. This mountain range in the north-east of Ireland is within a couple of hours’ drive from Dublin, which makes it ideal for long day hikes without needing an overnight stay. I’ve written before about Slieve Gullion, the highest point in neighbouring County Armagh. This article focuses...
I was chatting to a former colleague on Instagram recently about the best walks in Killarney (you can find me on Instagram here). Jan was heading to Killarney for a week with his family. Flights, car and hotel were all booked — the easy part done. Jan is a fairly...
A week in Elviria with a 3-year-old is just perfect. We spent a full week there last September and had one of our most relaxing family holidays to date. Elviria is laid-back, child-friendly, and ideal for parents who want sunshine without stress. We alternated between beach days and pool days...
