Ireland is often regarded as being among the best walking areas in the world. While there is no chance of being affected by altitude sickness on Ireland’s highest peaks, the scenery is hard to beat. Before setting off, you should consider the following:
Topography
Ireland is relatively low-lying for an island of its size, only reaching a maximum height of 1,039m above sea level. In comparison, the similar-sized islands of Cuba, Iceland, Mindanao, Hokkaidō, and Hispaniola reach elevations within the range of 1,970m to 3,100m above sea level – although these islands are all located in more geologically active regions of the planet. Evidence tells us that Ireland once had mountains comparable in height to the present-day Himalayas.
Today, Ireland’s tallest mountains are generally located in a ring of compact ranges throughout its coastal counties, while the inner landlocked counties typically contain shallow hills, lakes, and peat bogs. Due to its location close to the north Atlantic, Ireland’s higher-than-average rainfall keeps the landscape green. Much of this rain finds its way into the vast peat bogs which cover much of the central lowlands and upland valleys, making some of these areas quite difficult to walk in at times. Ireland has been largely deforested in the past, and most of its indigenous woodland has disappeared. Much of the non-native woodland we see in Ireland today has been planted for the purposes of commercial timber farming.
Climate & weather
Ireland’s summer falls during the months of June, July and August when maximum daytime temperatures can reach about 25°C. Despite sharing the same latitudes as parts of Canada and Russia, Ireland only occasionally experiences severe wintry conditions. This is due to the Gulf Stream – a warm water current originating near Florida – which travels in a general northwest direction across the Atlantic. An extension of the Gulf Stream – the North Atlantic Drift – passes Western Europe, thereby maintaining Ireland’s temperate climate. The Irish winter falls during the months of December, January and February. On average, there might only be two or three days of significant snowfall during the year in low-lying areas. On higher ground, however, snow may remain for a few weeks. Ireland is one of the first European landmasses to receive weather systems from the Atlantic. These generally bring intermittent spells of rain at any time of year, and the majority of rainfall occurs where weather systems meet the mountain ranges along the west coast. There is no defined wet or dry seasons in Ireland. In recent years, however, May and June have been delivering the best weather.
During the days before your planned walk, keep an eye on the weather forecast. RTE and BBC generally provide reliable information on their daily broadcast schedule and online. Check again the night before and on the morning of your walk. Dress and pack accordingly. Always bring plenty of water and rainproof outer layers on your walk regardless of what the forecast tells you. A warm hat and gloves should always be in your bag if you are heading for the summits.
Daylight hours
Located between the northern latitudes of 51° and 56°, Ireland experiences a wide range of daylight hours throughout the year. The amount of daylight available needs to be taken into account before planning a long walk, otherwise there is an increased risk of finishing in darkness during winter months
The Winter Solstice occurs every year on or near 21 December. In the northern hemisphere, this is referred to as ‘the shortest day’ because it is the day on which the sun spends the shortest time above the horizon. In Ireland, on the shortest day, the sun rises at about 8:40 a.m. and sets at about 4:10 p.m. providing approximately seven-and-a-half hours of daylight.
The Summer Solstice occurs every year on or near 21 June. In the northern hemisphere, this is referred to as ‘the longest day’ because it is the day on which the sun spends the longest time above the horizon. In Ireland, on the longest day, the sun rises at about 5:00 a.m. and sets at about 10:00 p.m. providing approximately seventeen hours of daylight. We promote our Upland Walk theme during the month of June.
Access
Unlike in GB, there is no right to roam in Ireland. Accessing Irish land for recreational walking purposes is only permitted through the good will of landowners. Agricultural land on lower ground is generally out of bounds for walkers, where the fields are widely used for grazing livestock and growing crops. At these levels, there are parks, woodland and beaches where walking is permitted. Some upland areas are more welcoming to walkers than others. Where walking is permitted, there are usually car parks, stiles, gates, footbridges and information panels in place to facilitate walkers. Where walking is not permitted, the message will often be made clear via signage at entry points and along boundaries.
Dogs can be a contentious issue in the countryside. For this reason, dog owners must always obey signage, regardless of how harmless their dog is. If dogs are not welcome in a particular area, you must not bring it there. If dogs are permitted on leads, keep it on a lead at all times. Going against landowners' wishes can have a negative affect on access for everyone, so please do not be the one who closes land down.
Safety
Never take risks by attempting anything which you feel is beyond your ability. Hill walking can be a dangerous activity. Rapidly changing weather conditions combined with treacherous topography can produce nightmare conditions, even for experienced walkers. Always be aware that most injuries in the mountains occur on downhill sections. This is largely due to muscle fatigue resulting from the earlier ascent. Also, it is more difficult to recover from a trip or slide when moving downhill because gravity is acting as an accelerant rather than a braking force. In the event of an emergency where assistance is required in the mountains, call 999 or 112 and ask for mountain rescue.
Fitness
The level of fitness required for walking in Ireland varies greatly, depending on the length of walk, the amount of ascent, and the type of terrain encountered. A walk could be anything from a half-hour stroll along a beach, to a challenging multi-day trek through rugged mountains. While most walkers will be capable of completing easy and moderate walks without any additional fitness training, it is probably best to undergo some extra preparation before attempting the more challenging expeditions. It may be advisable to check with your doctor before embarking on a new training programme.