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    Brendan O’Connor

    Patient | Resilient | Empathetic

    Mini Bio

    As an outdoor enthusiast, I had a spoilt upbringing as I grew up in Killarney where the 22,000-hectare Killarney National Park was literally my very own backyard.

    I spent my youth out hiking, cycling, and boating in the park. Some years later, I went into ‘exile’ to Cork city for work. I was happy enough in Cork but something was always missing and it was photography that re-awakened my love of the great outdoors – and then it dawned on me what all these poets were on about.

    Favourite place to play

    Anywhere outdoors either on the hills or some of those wonderful beaches we have on the west coast of Ireland. My favourite places are Dingle, Connemara, and of course Killarney (in particular the outback of Killarney).

    A stroll on Dinis Island or Inch beach is always good for the soul. As long as I can feel the fresh Atlantic air on my face, I’m a happy guy.

    Not a lot people know this

    I absolutely love a good storm.

    Qualifications Read More

    Over a period of years, I completed the Mountaineering leader Training award with Mountaineering Ireland in the Wicklow mountains. Later, I complemented this with further mountain training in France and Scotland.

    I am a qualified National Tour Guide and a member of the Association of Tour Guides of Ireland. I hold a Graduate of Dr Shanes Lehane Ucc – Csn Heritage and Culture diploma.

    Travel Read More

    I hiked in many parts of Ireland mostly in the southwest. I have also hiked in:

    • Snowdonia in Wales
    • The English Lake District
    • The Scottish Highlands
    • Provence
    • The Haute route
    • Most recently, the Tour de Ecrin in France
    Biggest adventure  Read More

    That would be summiting on 6 Alpine peaks in 12 days, many many years ago. Also, Cyclo-camping through France, Spain and Italy.

    Adventurer's Stories about Brendan

    Brendan did very well! Especially for not guiding this trip very often, he always made sure we made it to our destination in a timely manner!

    Brittany Erickson
    Hiking - Dingle Way
    Reviewed on 07/06/2023

    The guides were uniformly excellent and highly tolerant of the our group's eccentricities.

    Richard Raymond
    2023 Ireland Tailor Made
    Reviewed on 07/06/2023

    I feel we were extremely fortunate to have been assigned to Brendan's guidance. He truly has a wealth of knowledge of Irish history, culture and customs. He did his best to impart his knowledge to us. You are blessed in Ireland with having remained so close to your and western Europe's history. With this blessing comes an obligation to educate and enlighten those of us who have through neglect or ignorance forgotten our past.
    My wife and I have participated in active travel with several companies over the last 9 years. I believe having a native guide who has a passion for the culture, geology, flora and fauna of the land is essential to a fulfilling experience. Brendan reflects well upon your company. He was able to adjust our itinerary to match the weather.

    Harry Canter
    Hiking - Dingle Way
    Reviewed on 16/05/2023

    Brendan is amazing and needs a raise! Haha

    Skye Thompson
    Hiking - Dingle Way
    Reviewed on 15/05/2023

    Brendan was terrific! He was lovely, patient, kind, full of good stories, remote and recent Irish history and politics--and generously spent a lot of time telling us all about it. And he helped us set up a few great stops that were not on the itinerary when we were subbing in options for a very rainy day (Connemara National Park visitor center, Bog museum and tour at Aughnanure castle with Giles who was fantastic). We really enjoyed our time with Brendan and I think it definitely takes a certain patience and tolerance to just deal with a whole family for a week (with a chatty 13 year old who has lots of questions and a nervous 17 year old musician with her own way of being in the world). We had an amazing time and would do the whole trip over in a heart beat!

    Sara Mostad
    Private Hiking and Island Hopping - Ireland's West Coast
    Reviewed on 17/04/2023

    Brendan O'Connor has the perfect disposition for a guide - well trained, knowledgeable, cordial - a true gentleman. We all loved having him.

    Sean Oatmeyer
    Hiking and Island Hopping - Ireland's West Coast
    Reviewed on 03/08/2022

    Brendan was outstanding. He was knowledgeable and took the time to consider the groups needs as plans were made.

    Chris Gamel
    Hiking and Island Hopping - Ireland's West Coast
    Reviewed on 21/07/2022

    Brenden O'Connor was outstanding in knowledge, temperament and professionalism

    Christopher Quinn
    Hiking and Island Hopping - Ireland's West Coast
    Reviewed on 21/07/2022

    Brendan was perfect.

    Linda Ashendorf
    Hiking and Island Hopping - Ireland's West Coast
    Reviewed on 18/07/2022

    Brendan was extremely adept at reading the group - and the group varied greatly in personalities and hiking abilities so that was critical. He was able to adapt the original plan for weather, abilities, injuries, interests and a whole host of other factors. I'm certain he is part mountain goat (he essentially towed one lady up a steep slope)! Twice we were completely socked in at the top of some mountain, but he displayed the necessary confidence and skill to navigate us back down. Great leadership to let the fast ones go ahead at times (when safe to do so) so he could watch the rest of the flock - he was very, very good at leading from the middle. And he did it all with a warm sense of humor!

    Joe Tucker
    Hiking - The Mountains of Connemara and Mayo
    Reviewed on 06/07/2022

    Tried to keep everybody motivated. Very encouraging. Tried to make the trip a good experience for everybody.

    Justus Daechsel
    Hiking - The Mountains of Connemara and Mayo
    Reviewed on 04/07/2022

    Guide B was thoughtful, encouraging, tactful, humorous and safe. And he was a fountain of knowledge of Ireland history, geology, ecology, and nature. He made it an immersion experience. Much appreciated!

    Kathryn Brown
    Hiking - The Mountains of Connemara and Mayo
    Reviewed on 04/07/2022

    Our guide, Brendan O'Connor was great! He was extremely knowledgable and provided all of the information we needed to prep for and enjoy our hikes. He was flexible and accommodating to make the most of our daily excursions based on the weather and our desires. He also shared a lot of historical background about Ireland and the areas we were hiking in Connemara and County Mayo which made our trip an amazing experience!

    Michael Treppa
    Hiking - The Mountains of Connemara and Mayo
    Reviewed on 02/05/2022

    Book a trip with Brendan

    Trip / DepartureAvailabilityStatusPriceBook
    Hiking & Island Hopping – Cork & Kerry
    15th Jul - 21st Jul 2023
    3 place(s) leftCONFIRMED€0Book Now
    Hiking & Island Hopping – Ireland’s West Coast
    29th Jul - 4th Aug 2023
    3 place(s) leftCONFIRMED€0Book Now
    Hiking – The Mountains of Connemara and Mayo
    23rd Sep - 29th Sep 2023
    5 place(s) leftCONFIRMED€0Book Now

    Make Trip Private

    Sometimes it's nice to get family and friends together and travel privately for some quality time. This means you benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides and we'll take care of it all. Then you can make your choice of departures dates and we'll get back to you to finalise the details.

    We work together with our team of guides to decide which departures they lead each year. As part of that, guides provide available dates that they are free to be booked. This means that any of the dates you see in the first field of the form below, could be perfect for your private departure or customised tour.

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