At long last, we’re on our way! Left Liverpool on the train yesterday, bumpy crossing from Holyhead to Dublin, then train journey down to Cork. Blue sky and sunshine, green fields, occasional old ruins, distant hills – lovely. Good night out in Cork last night sampling the black stuff – … Read More

About 40 km walked so far – had an unintentionally long day yesterday, blustery Mizen Head to Durrus, and today we’ve reached Bantry, where we’re enjoying good coffee and internet access. Weather mixed – incredibly blustery overnight, now sunshine and showers. Lovely views coming over the Sheep’s Head Peninsula this … Read More

Camping early tonight as we found such a nice spot – on the way to Priest’s Leap, between Knockboy and Barraboy Mountains. 

The weather’s on the turn! After camping in lovely sunshine on Tuesday night, we woke to thick clag. Very atmospheric  plodding up to Priest’s Leap in the hill fog! After a steep descent and long plod to Kenmare, we were ready for fish and chips – Caoimhin at Wharton’s chippie … Read More

You know you’re thru-hiking when you accidentally end up in a rather posh restaurant, dressed in your waterproof trousers and the thermal top you’ve slept in for the past 4 nights because all your other clothes are in the wash! So you put on your best manners and hope nobody … Read More

On Thursday morning we headed north out of Killarney.The weather has definitely taken a turn for the worse with squally rain and hail showers, and snow on the tops of the mountains. So we followed the old military road in heavy rain for about 26km in pretty much a straight … Read More

We’ve been through foul weather and foot pain to get here, but at last we’re in Doolin in County Clare, enjoying a well earned rest day, and the weather is gorgeous. Clear blue sky and sunshine, and no need to pick up a rucksack ALL DAY – perfect.But as far … Read More

It seemed unlikely, the plan for meeting up was lacking in detail, but a car pulled up about 200 metres below our path, a figure got out, jumped over the drystone wall and headed directly up the hillside. Dinny! It was great to see him and have his company for … Read More

Doolin to Ballyvaughan via the Black Head Loop. A great day’s walk, hope you enjoy the photos!               

Which way to go through Galway and Sligo, that was the question. John and Patrick, sat at the bar in the pub in Kinvarra, were in no doubt – the spectacular scenery of Connemara was not to be missed. But it was a big diversion, and we had a better … Read More

It’s all a bit damp and drizzly here in Mayo, so enjoying a full Irish breakfast at our last town stop before Sligo on Tuesday afternoon. Sorry there aren’t any pictures of the breakfast, it got wolfed down way too fast, but the white pudding was excellent! 

At last, another footpath heading in the right direction! The Sligo Way was an unexpected surprise, taking a really interesting route through a landscape that, though dramatic, isn’t lauded in the same way that say Connemara or the Burren are. But it still has its own charm and character, and … Read More

Fried bacon, boiled cabbage, marrowfat peas and mashed potatoes with gravy, and a pot of tea. 

We must be getting close to the end of our Irish journey – here’s the first signpost we’ve seen for our destination. Hoping to be there Wednesday! 

Good chat today with Kieran at Buncrana Tourist Information – he suggested a good scenic finish to our walk, via the Gap of Mamore and Clonmany. It’s a few extra kilometres but promises to be well worth it! 

Really loving the final stage of our hike through Ireland,  along the Inishowen Peninsula on our way to Malin Head. At the suggestion of Kieran at Tourist Information in Bulcrana, we took a detour via the Gap of Mamore, a famously steep mountain pass. The views were great, of the … Read More

We’ve done it! The first of our two end to end walks, from the most southwesterly point in Ireland at Mizen Head, to Malin Head, the most northerly point. After a long day on Tuesday, covering about 37 km in hot sunshine, we had just 4km to go to finish … Read More

A massive thank you to John and Sue Shiels for a lovely day out yesterday, touring round Inishowen, and also for bringing us our maps of Scotland. Today’s task – plan our food resupplies in Scotland.Thanks also to my colleague at Lyon Equipment Tom Shiels for offering his parents’ services … Read More