MI Autumn Gathering 2026

Mountaineering Ireland Autumn Gathering 16^th-18^th October 2026

Woodenbridge Hotel & Lodge Garnagowlan Arklow Co. Wicklow Y14 XT95

A beautiful autumnal location for the MI Gathering this year, hosted by the Irish Ramblers Club celebrating their 62^nd anniversary.

19 Walking Clubs were represented at the Gathering with 75 for the dinner on Saturday night in the Woodenbridge Hotel.

The Friday evening talk was given by the hillwalking writer Michael Guilfoyle, who took us on a geological time and human occupation journey in Ireland from 400 million years ago to the present day, and a presentation of a 6 mountain walk over Scarr, Kanturk, Knocknacloghoge, Luggala, Djouce and Maulin.

The Wicklow-based poet Jane Clarke, following her walk with NPWS Ranger Hugh McAlinden to the upland Peatland Restoration site, read ‘Barnacullian Bog’ from her new collection Coracle, out this week.

Saturday 17^th October Environmental Walk, 10km, Drumgoff to Fananerin to Croghanmoira.

There were 11 walks on offer, easy walks x 3, moderate walks x 4, difficult walks x 3 and the Environmental walk.

I chose the Environmental walk which was guided by Helen Lawless and Rozanne Bell, MI Access & Conservation. Leaving from Drumgoff, we walked to Fananerin (430m), then to the viewpoint overlooking the valley of Glenmalure and the former military barracks, then over and up to Croaghanmoira (667m) and back to Drumgoff. A stunning sunny day on these granite and schist mountains, we came across rock art, cups in a schist slab dating back to 5000 years ago, pixie-cup lichen (there are 11,000 species of lichens and they cover approx. 7% of the Earth’s surface), a grasshopper, grouse poop, a jelly substance of inedible glands of frogs regurgitated by predators, and more……

The topic of path erosion was discussed. The more popular paths on bogland erode very quickly during the winter. Walk coordinators should opt to take alternative routes to allow time for the vegetation to grow again.

Amazing views to the east and south-east, Mount Leinster and the Comeraghs, to the south the Blackstairs.

MI Members’ Forum Chaired by Chairperson of the MI Board Trish Walsh, and CEO Liam Feely

Saturday 6.30 pm

Mountaineering Ireland now has close to 17,000 members. To attract younger people, MI has appointed Ellie Berry, artist, photographer, podcaster, as Ambassador. Ellie @tough_soles has over 11, 000 followers.

At the AGM 2026, a proposal to offer One Day membership was not passed by members. The Board regret that it was not clear what this meant. Many young people are using social media to go for a hike, or they follow an influencer like Ellie Berry, Rozanna Purcell, and others, and request to join their hikes. But there are consequences, no experience, no safety training nor suitable clothing, etc. Influencers and social media walk leaders have requested support from MI, hence the proposal for a One Day Pass, which would cover insurance for one day.

There are also young climbers who wish to participate in a climbing competition and need insurance for one day.

MI would like to offer this One Day Pass for the above reasons. It would then encourage younger people to explore and enjoy outdoor activities and to join MI for further training and opportunities.

MI will work on a marketing campaign to highlight the work they do on behalf of their members. Given increased costs, they may have to raise the membership fee in 2027.

There are 3 new Mountain Access Projects, Errigal, Croagh Patrick and the Comeraghs.

A proposal to create Green Club awards for walking clubs. These awards will depend on the level of engagement with biodiversity and the environment. A list of suggested activities will be sent to walking clubs.

The Members’ Forum was followed by dinner and the chance to meet with club members from different parts of Ireland.

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Mountaineering Ireland Environmental Weekend, 5^th – 7^th June 2026, Killarney, Co. Kerry

25-30 participants from all over Ireland, representing Walking Clubs and individuals.

Co-ordinated by Helen Lawless, Access & Environment Manager, and Rozanne Bell, Environmental Officer, we had the opportunity to walk and talk with experts who were sharing their passion and enthusiasm for our environment, their concerns for the future protection of different species and habitats, and the consequences of climate change and impact of human needs and requirements.

On Friday 5^th in the evening, we had 2 speakers. Ravit Yanay, geologist, took us on a fascinating journey through the millennia with ‘Desert Planes to Icy Peaks, the Story of the Kerry Mountains’. Patrick Gleeson, ecologist, took us on a slower journey with ‘Kerry Uplands: Ecology, Land Use History and Remnant Woodlands’. Both talks prepared us for the walks on Saturday and Sunday in south-west Ireland.

Saturday 6^th June.

We were divided into two groups. I joined Helen’s walk in the Hag’s Glen. We were met in Cronin’s Yard by Stewart Stephens, Chair of the MacGillycuddy Reeks Access Forum, who spoke to us about sustainable uplands recreation, managing the uplands, influencing policy, and the need for funding to meet environmental needs.

We were also joined by Conchubhar Lyne, Development Officer for the MacGillycuddy Reeks Access Forum. Conchubhar talked about the Pilot Upland Recreation Scheme, a 3-year project in which local landowners are divided into a 2-tier system and paid accordingly. Tier 1: the landowner engages with walkers and advises them on weather conditions, access to the mountains, etc. Tier 2 : in addition to engaging with walkers, the landowner undertakes path maintenance.

Leaving from Cronin’s Yard we headed up the path into the Hag’s Glen. We had an expert bird watcher in our group, who spotted skylarks, wheatears, meadow pipits, a kestrel, among others, and described their breeding habits and lifecycles. Helen, and others, identified a Kerry slug and many plants, among them, lousewort, heath milkwort (na deirifiúríní), heath bedstraw, St Patrick’s Cabbage, starry saxifrage, sundews, marsh violets, etc…… And we talked about how walkers can protect the environment by taking out litter with them, by keeping to the path and respecting the workplace of the local farmers. Despite the forecast there was only a spattering of rain and the sun came out, lighting up Carrantuohill, and the glorious mountains in the MacGillycuddy Reeks.

On Saturday evening there were 3 talks.

John Cromie presented ‘Biodiversity Exploring and Recording’. John encouraged us, as walkers, to contribute to the understanding and conservation of our uplands by recording flora and fauna on our walks. Download the app Biodiversity Data Capture, https://biodiversityireland.ie/ Other recommended apps: Merlin Bird ID, iNaturalist, Obsidentify.

Jackie Hunt presented the LIFE on Machair Project, based in the machair (the sandy green area behind the dunes) on the coast of the Mullet Peninsula and Achill Island, Co. Mayo. A 6-year project, LIFE works with farmers, and others, to get the balance back on these open areas, the habitats of many endangered waders and other birds: sandpipers, ringed plover, lapwings, dunlins, snipe, curlews, and more. Mesh nets have been placed around these sensitive areas to prevent grazing, camping, wild animals, energetic dogs, and human recreation. Farmers have been paid €2200 p.a. for their engagement in the project to protect the birds and the machair between March and September.

James Daly presented his dedicated work to bringing the swifts back to Killorglin. He has built and installed swift boxes high up on numerous buildings around Killorglin increasing swifts’ (who are always in flight) nests from 3 to 25 over 10 years. He is extending this project to Tralee.

Sunday 7^th June.

Once again, we split into 2 groups. I joined Rozanne Bell’s group for the walk on the Old Kenmare Road/Kerry Way with Micheál, a NPWS Ranger (one of 8 Rangers) in Killarney National Park. The Rangers monitor wildlife and visitors, manage the removal of invasive species such as the rhododendron ponticum, control the numbers of sika deer and of our native red deer, protect and restore sensitive habitats, among other responsibilities.

Leaving from the Torc Carpark we headed along the Old Kenmare Road towards Kenmare. Despite the heavy mist which covered the mountains and the distant valleys, we had a busy walk identifying plants, benefiting from Micheál’s local knowledge and expertise.

Our accommodation was in the KCYS, Killarney Youth Centre Hostel, Fair Hill. Excellent downtown location, very hospitable staff, clean, spacious with a dining area, meeting room, seating areas, 4-bed dorms with bed linen, duvet and towels, tea and coffee provided. Self-catering. I’d highly recommend it for exploring and hiking in Co. Kerry.

The Burren in July 2026
Insect photos courtesy of John Smyth, Wildflower photos courtesy of Anne Brindley