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Pretty much all my life, I’ve identified as a very much indoors person. Thoroughly intimidated by the competitive edge that seemed part and parcel of obligatory schoolyard sports, I resolved to make my excuses once free will came into the equation, sitting out of PE and opting out of friendly five aside games with my more athletic pals.
So, I became a savant of indoor hobbies. Knitting, reading, crosswords, card games — all of which can be engaged in while nestled in the corner of the couch. God forbid I am not cosy for even five minutes. My preferred means of exercise involve long walks and following along to YouTube yoga tutorials, perched on a matt on my bedroom floor, and while I would not say I’m unfit, the prospect of a weekend spent trying out some of the programmed events at Wander Wild Festival down in Killarney did fill me with a teensy tiny bit of terror.
Terror that was, in actual fact, entirely unwarranted. Described as Ireland’s own ‘great outdoors festival’, Wander Wild is designed to make getting active feel more accessible. They’ve got workshops and excursions for any range of skill levels, from thrilling climbing sessions for the adrenaline fuelled among us, to calming mindfulness sessions to help you heal.
Last up was a guided hike up Torc Mountain with the lovely, inspiring, motivational Maureen Hegarty. My sister and I believe she is our best friend now, such was the extent of our grá for her after the 3+ hours spent huffing, puffing, climbing and squinting out into the overcast middle distance. Though we may not have seen it ourselves thanks to the dastardly fog, we’re assured that the spectacularly scenic trek in the Killarney National Park provides stunning views from the summit over the Lakes of Killarney and Killarney Valley.
It’s mostly sleepers the whole way to the top, so it’s very manageable once you’ve got the right gear and a big old bottle of water, but what struck me most was just how bloody happy everyone was. Groups of American tourists, men in their 70s sporting great wooden sticks, locals stepping ahead with the learned self-assuredness that comes from years spent following the same trail. It was like being in a Fáilte Ireland ad, Remember When by The Heathers whispering on the wind somewhere miles away.
As you would expect, sustainability plays a huge role in the Wander Wild Festival. It’s a very much ‘leave it as you found it’ approach, and they’re encouraging people to leave the car at home and opt instead for the shuttle buses, which will bring people from the town centre to all activities. If you didn’t already know, Killarney became the first Irish town to end use of disposable coffee cups last year, so make sure you’ve got your Keep Cup handy!
They are also working with the Killarney Hotels Sustainability Group and sustainable budget providers such as glamping and hostels to ensure that people’s stay has as low a carbon neutral impact as possible. For the course of our weekend in Killarney, we stayed in The Ross, located in the town centre, and while the room provided exceptional comfort, it was the staff that made our stay what it was. Special shout out here to onsite eatery Polly’s for the incredible meal and delicious cocktails. I’m still thinking about the green falafel.
All in all, Wander Wild Festival is a chance to get off the beaten track and plant yourself back in nature. You can push yourself to the limit and reach new heights (literally), or you can opt for a slower trail, taking the road less travelled. Go with your friends, your family, or opt to embark alone, meeting and connecting with those you meet along the way. One thing I can assure is that you will thrive off the feeling—whether that’s adrenaline or rejuvenation—for days and weeks afterwards.
To browse the programme in full and book your activities, visit the Wander Wild Festival website today.
Wander Wild Festival imagery provided by Valerie O’Sullivan