SIÚIL Ard Mhacha is the Irish language hill walking group, now based in Cultúrlann Aonach Mhacha!
Over the years, the group has trekked mountains, hills and national parks from Kerry to Donegal. With the easing of Covid 19 restrictions, the group is keen to get back on the road and they even have plans to go international later this year (conditions permitting, of course!!).
SIÚIL Ard Mhacha members are looking forward to visiting Snowdonia National Park in Wales, as well as beautiful northern Italy in late 2021!
The SIÚIL group was formed by CAIRDE Teo in 2012 to promote the active lifestyle and mental health benefits of organised group walking in the hills and mountains of Ireland and further afield. As well as the documented health benefits, hill walking is also a great way to improve your Irish conversational skills.
We encourage learners of the language to join us on our walking trips and weekends, that provide an informal learning environment and a social outlet for Irish speakers at every level of ability.
The Ard Mhacha SIÚIL group has links with other groups across the country and has in the past linked up with Na Cnocadóirí in the Dublin Mountains, the Sperrin Trekkers in the Sperrins, the Gap O The North group in the Mournes and the Ring of Gullion, FIBI in the Cooleys, and many other groups besides. We also embark on weekend walking trips and have previously visited Corrán Tuathail (Ciarraí), An Earagail (Gaoth Dobhair), Sliabh Liag (Gleann Cholm Cille), Beann Mhadagáin (Béal Feirste), Cnoic Chill Mhantáin and a host of other destinations.
The beauty of hillwalking is its simplicity, because although you’ll often encounter challenging and rocky terrain it rarely requires any more technical gear than a rucksack, a GPS enabled mobile phone, a good pair of boots and warm, waterproof clothing.
Hillwalking covers everything from your local hills and countryside to the high, challenging mountains of the Beanna Boirche (Mournes), so the levels of fitness and experience required can vary a lot. If you’re new to hillwalking, start small and ease yourself in slowly. As in, don’t make Sliabh Donard the first route you ever try. As your fitness and experience levels build, you can in turn build yourself up to more challenging routes.
All walking trips commence at Cultúrlann Aonach Mhacha, Armagh City, where those who have pre booked transport will be collected for the onward journey. Departure times vary depending on the location of the walks.
For more information, contact eolas@aonachmhacha.com or call 028 37998111
Date: 4ú Bealtaine at 7pm.
