This 55km hiking/hill running adventure runs from Dublin Castle to Glenmalure Valley starting at midnight. Participants keep going through dawn and deep into the Wicklow Mountains. Eoin Keith, last year’s winner, described it as the gnarliest event on the hill running calendar in Ireland.
Although the challenge is one of the toughest events on the calendar, it is achievable by a wide range of folk and organisers revel in helping everyone achieve personal milestones by finishing this epic journey.

The challenge marks a defining moment in Irish history as participants retrace the 1592 prison escape of Red Hugh O Donnell and Art O’Neill from Dublin Castle.

Due to environmental reasons, there is a limit to the amount of participants who can take part in the Art O’Neill Challenge. To avoid disappointment visit: www.artoneillchallenge.ie to sign up. The site also has lots of information on what kit you’ll need and will detail when talks on the challenge will take place in Great Outdoors, Chatham St, Dublin 2.

The majority of participants walked as part of a group with the exception of a few hardcore soles who chose to run the route solo. The hike followed the Wicklow Way for 24km before heading towards the summit of Paddock Hill and on to the finish line in Trooperstown Woods.

The Moonlight Challenge is the main fundraising event for the Glen of Imaal
Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team. It was started in 2010 to assist with sponsorship to construct a rescue base. The base will allow the rescue team to fully protect precious equipment and manage every aspect of the team’s activities more efficiently. Funds raised from this event will allow the rescue team to finish the construction of the base. To take part in next year’s challenge, visit: www.wmr.ie

27 December 2011
Celebrate Killarney’s victory as Ireland’s Tidiest Town 2011 and walk off the Christmas excess on 27 December. A fully guided walk will take you through some of Ireland’s oldest oak woods and across the slopes of Tomies Mountain. Experienced guides will lead the walk which will involve an easy hill trail with some gentle ascents. This event is free of charge. Further details at www.killarney.ie/walkkillarney

The Ballyvaughan Fanore Walking Club will host the Burren Peaks Walking Festival from 23-25 September.

Throughout the course of the weekend you will be given the chance to get a real taste of the Burren on a number of guided hill and lowland walks which will vary in distance and grade. Walkers will be treated to stunning scenery throughout.

In the evening, you will be rewarded for your efforts with great food and traditional music in the local pubs. Further details at www.burrenpeakswalkingfestival.com

53 Degrees North is organising a Walking Festival Week for walkers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts of all levels and ages. The week will consist of a walking expo, practical skills workshops, lectures and of course organised walks through the beautiful Dublin and Wicklow mountains.

The festival kicks off on the 11 April and ends on 17 April. Highlights include a photography clinic, an adventure film night and the Sir Chris Bonington Lecture plus much more! On the 17 April there will be over 24 guided themed walks across the Dublin mountains.

For further details check out www.53degreesnorth.ie

The Nire Valley Comeragh Mountains Bogtrot is a marathon hill walk, approximately 25km in length. Starting on the eastern side of the Comeragh Mountains the route rises steeply by the beautiful Mahon Falls to the Comeragh Plateau. It then crosses the plateau to the Coumalochas and Coumfea and descends Lyre Mountain towards Knockavannia (Milk Hill). It continues on track towards the Standing Stones at Toureen, on to Knockaun, crossing the Nire River into Turraphucca Forest where it continues towards Knockalisheen staying on track in woodlands to the finish at Ballymacarbry. This event will take place on 27 March.

To enter contact John Bourke 087 6132310, Michael Wall 086 7702544 or email mikejwall1@yahoo.co.uk

On the 27 March, Carlingford Co Louth Ireland will host The National Leprechaun Hunt of Ireland. A totally unique event, this promises to be a fun day out for all the family.

Participants will hunt within an area marked out by four flagpoles. It is expected that there will be up to fifty Leprechauns to be found. Each Leprechaun will be carrying a reward, the value of which will be written under his heel. The hunt will start from the green at 1.30pm and finish at 4.30pm in the Square where the winners can collect their prizes.

All proceeds on the day to go to Our Ladys Children’s Hospital Crumlin and Newry Hospice. For further information visit www.carlingfordleprechaun.ie/events

Tain Walking Festival
5-6 March
Based in the medieval village of Carlingford, the Táin Festival uses many of the historical trails used by CúChulainn as the backdrop for this variety of themed walks.

The walks are varied and cater for all levels of fitness. Walks will include hikes in the Cooley mountains, strolls around the shores of Carlingford Lough and historical walks exploring the myths and legends of the surrounding area.

With a plethora of fine restaurants specialising in seafood, this could make for the perfect weekend getaway. Check out www.discoverireland.com for further details.

The 2011 Mountaineering Ireland (MI) Scottish Winter Meet will take place at Inchree Centre in the Onich in the Western Highlands. This is a great location for exploring Ben Nevis and the Three Sisters of Glen Coe.

All walkers and climbers are welcome, whether on one of the ‘official’ instructed training courses or on the more informal ‘do your own thing’ basis. The meet is about bringing together like-minded people to share in the experiences of days on the hills, evening talks and slide shows, and plenty of late night discussions!

Courses include: Basic Winter Skills (self catering) for hill walkers who would like to learn basic snow skills and try winter walking for the first time costs 250 for three days with qualified and experienced instructors.

Winter Mountaineering will cater for walkers and climbers who have done some basic winter walking and want to something a little more challenging. (Cost: €300 for three days with qualified and experienced instructors.)

The Winter Climbing course is for those who would like to tackle routes requiring the use of an axe and hammer. Previous rock climbing and winter experience required. (Cost €550. Minimum of two people required.)

For details, visit www.mountaineering.ie