Whispers of the Land: Hike with a Seanchaí

Description

Keeping the dying tradition of the seanchaí or local storyteller alive, Conor Ó Buachalla specialises in unveiling the rich layers of Irish mythology, folklore and placenames through stories and workshops. He also loves to use local words from the Irish language to paint a vivid image of Ireland’s cultural landscape and history.

Know before you go

🥾 Clothing & Footwear

Sturdy walking boots or trail runners (waterproof preferred)
Weatherproof jacket (ideally breathable & waterproof)
Lightweight layers (to add/remove depending on temperature)
Hat and gloves – even in summer, it can get chilly on the hills
Change of socks – in case we hit wet ground which we do for much of the year on the hills of West Cork.

🎒 Day Pack Essentials

Small Backpack (20–30L is ideal)
Water bottle or hydration bladder (at least 1.5 litres)
Torch or headlamp – just in case we finish later than expected
Snacks to keep you going
Small towel or cloth (useful if it gets muddy or wet)
Sunscreen & sunglasses – yes, even in Ireland
Any personal medication (e.g. inhaler, antihistamines, spare contact lenses)
Toilet paper or tissues – plus a sealable bag to pack out you tissues
Small trowel – optional, but handy if you need to go in the wild. Dig a small hole, bury it properly, and pack out any paper. Leave No Trace.

🧭 Optional but Recommended

Walking poles – especially if you like a bit of support on inclines
Camera or phone – you’ll want to capture the views
Notebook or journal – for recording any folklore, placenames, or wildlife we encounter

If you’re unsure about any item on the list, just drop us a message and we’ll be happy to advise. We normally have a supply of hiking poles etc too but please let us know in advance if you need to borrow kit and we will do our best to facilitate you.

Location:

Supplier: Gormú