News of Walk Connemara events, Paul’s Book and other local walking news will be posted here regularly. The Scheduled Walks page has a calendar of upcoming walks and hikes  that individuals or small groups can join. You can also view news of Walk Connemara's previous events, or photographic reports on our Facebook page.

Paul’s book “Connemara and Mayo - a Walking Guide” is recommended by the Sunday Independent in their useful article on Spring walks in Ireland.  (see walk no. 25, Benlettery, Bengower and Benglenisky, Co Galway). The book is available to purchase from the Guide Book page).

Walk Connemara's Paul Phelan is featured in the BBC Radio 4 "Ramblings" programme which you can listen to online. The program is about  walking at the Marconi and Alcock and Brown site at Derrygimlagh, just outside Clifden. We often bring clients here to experience this historically significant site in a beautiful, wild landscape.

Check out our Facebook page for more news and the latest photos:

Access to Gleninagh, Twelve Bens (June 2019)

The Bodkin family who own Gleninagh in the Twelve Bens have asked that climbers and hillwalkers not park along the access road to their farm, which is often used by people going into Carrot Ridge and up to Maumina and Benbaun.

In recent times the Bodkins have had problems with access along the roadway to their farm being obstructed by parked vehicles, hence this request for people not to park anywhere along the access road. It is also no longer possible to park outside the unoccupied house on the way into the Bodkins’ farm, due to changes made around that house.

Hillwalkers and climbers are still welcome in Gleninagh, but they are asked to respect the Bodkins’ request by getting dropped off, or car-pooling and finding a suitable location to park along the Inagh Valley road.

Recreation in the Irish Countryside - Property Rights, Obligations and Responsibilites has been published by the  Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. Its a very useful leaflet on access to the land for recreational users - which is what we are if we go out walking.

New Walk Introduced
We have introduced a new low-level hike in the beautiful and historic Doolough Valley.

Access Issue Leenane Hill - 2013
There are continuing reports of a sporadic access problem on Leenane Hill. For this reason, it is advisable to avoid walking Leenane Hill at the moment.

Past Events new page has a small number of reports and photos on Walk Connemara's past events (mostly during 2011). More recent past events can be experienced on our Facebook page.

Older News & Press Releases:

Prehistoric Connemara - Africa  Connections - May 2012
Here is an excellent article, by Mayo-based Michael Viney, in the Irish Times. The article explores ancient connections between Irish people and our language with those of North Africa. In particular, the wise man from Tallabaun, suggests that a significant percentage of Connemara people may be direct descendants of the Berber and Tuareg tribesmen of north Africa. There is also support for the view that Irish probably evolved here as a maritime community language during the Bronze Age (rather than being introduced from Celtic Europe). There is also a suggestion that Connemara's many dog whelk middens (e.g. Dunloughan, Renvyle, Culfin, Dogs Bay) indicate trade in the purple dye with the eastern Mediterranean. Furthermore, the DNA of our pine martens and pygmy shrews, are close to Iberian samples; the shrews were Basque.  This all gives support to Bob Quinn’s ground-breaking Atlantean theory, triggered by the Arabic resemblances of Connemara’s sean-nós singing.
eBook "Connemara & Mayo- A Walking Guide" - late April 2012
We are delighted to hear from the Collins Press, that Paul's book "Connemara and Mayo - A Walking Guide" is to be converted to an eBook. Soon you will be able to read the hugely popular guide book in your eBook reader. More details to follow.
Press Release - 11 March 2012
Ashford Afoot - A weekend of spectacular walks, stunning natural beauty and quality accommodation. Paul is looking forward to guiding these spectacular walks in association with Ashford Castle where details are available and bookings can be made. 

Press Release - 09 January 2012
Unusual whale washed up
Paul Phelan has found the remains of a rare whale on a small beach in Ballynakill Bay. It is the second whale to be found in Connemara since Christmas. The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group have confirmed it's a Cuvier’s Beaked whale, which is rare in Ireland.
Press Release (PDF).

View along the Cloonamore looped walk on Inishbofin

Cliffs at the north end of Inishbofin's Cloonamore Looped Walk

Lake on Inishbofin's Cloonamore Looped Walk

View from Diamond Hill looking over Kylemore Lough

Boats at low tide in Inishturk

Beach on Inishbofin overlooking the Mountains of Mayo

Kylemore Lough

Glassilaun Beach

Walkers descending Errisbeg, near Roundstone