Duncan Warner
Me in 3 Outside + Active = Happy
Place to play West coast of Ireland – so many ways to experience it and a lifetime of places to visit. Connemara, Mayo, Galway and Clare are particular regions I love to explore!
Not a lot of people know this but…I sneeze when I eat chocolate (I end up sneezing a lot!).
Mini Bio As Wilderness Ireland’s Head of Guides, I am fortunate to have found a profession that combines my appreciation for the natural environment and the fun of meeting like minded people.
For the last ten years working in the outdoors, hiking, biking and kayaking has enabled me to enjoy the experience of journeying yet at the same time providing constant opportunities to stop and take it all in.
Education/Qualifications
- Degree in Outdoor Learning
- Certificate in Training Delivery and Evaluation
- Mountain Leader
- Mountain Bike Leader
- Ride Leader Award
- Single Pitch Award
Experience
I first started working as an outdoor activity instructor in 2005. Since then, I have continued to enjoy working outdoors and guiding visitors to Ireland, whether hiking, biking, kayaking or exploring the rockpools at the local beach. Since 2016, I am currently the Head of Guides at Wilderness Ireland, leading training projects and developing training programmes for new guides.
Travel
I’m fortunate to have a career that has involved visiting beautiful parts of the world – from cycling and kayaking in France to hiking trips to Tanzania and plenty of places in between. In recent years I have really enjoyed cycling over in Scotland along the outer Hebrides, a stunning landscape. I’m always keen to visit somewhere new when the opportunity arises!
Outdoor Activities
I’m lucky in that I get to do what I enjoy doing for a living. Journeying across the landscape by boat, by bike or on foot is my passion. I do a lot of hiking and running around the west coast of Ireland. A few years ago I bought a fatbike (a mountain bike with extra wide tyres, up to five inches across). This type of bike opened up a lot of new options for exploring parts of Ireland that not many people get to see. Recently I have begun to experiment with swimming as a way of journeying and I find it really exciting.
Hobbies & Interests
I am very interested in learning more about the natural world that we have around us, so close and familiar to us that it goes unnoticed. There are amazing survival skills, territorial struggles and courtships happening in every rockpool and hedgerow. Really I’m only beginning to understand how these ecosystems function but I find it fascinating. Also, by looking at things closer to home, I’m finding out more about the folklore and mysticism that is associated with Ireland’s amazing and diverse landscapes.
Favourite Regions
I grew up in county Meath, an area incredibly rich in history and archaeology but not so well equipped for sea kayaking or hiking (six miles of coastline and the highest point is 905ft !).
I have lived in Galway for the last 16 years and this is definitely home for me. Right on the Atlantic with the mountains of Connemara, the rugged backcountry of Mayo and the wild Burren landscapes in Co. Clare only a short drive away. It’s a fantastic part of the country for scenery, seafood and socialising!
Adventurer's Stories about Duncan
Duncan is a brilliant guide with great storiesPhilip Chambers
Duncan is the kindest person and he saw to it that we all had a wonderful time. He is top pro - and his knowledge of the region is enviable.Inga Ebert
Duncan was amazing. He had excellent local knowledge. He was a natural guide, dealing with all our individual requirements for a good trip. We felt totally safe in his hands and appreciated his humour and kindness. If there was a guide of the year he would get our voteCharlotte Chambers
Duncan was on top of all details. He has an easy going and friendly demeanor, but was obviously keeping a close eye on conditions and the well being of all. He is an ideal guide for such a trip and the kind of guy with whom you'd like to have a beer with at the end of the day - which we repeatedly did.Kevin Mawe
Duncan was the perfect guide, looking really well after everybody and always in a good mood. A really kind person. The walks he chose were wonderful and well suited to the weather.Gunvor Rottensten
Duncan provided motivation and information about each segment. He had fun and informative stories along the hikes,Steven Taylor
Excellent does not do them justice. Duncan and Dean our guides were the perfect hosts. Very relaxed - nothing was too much trouble. Duncan really gave a good over view of the history of the area and as someone born in England I learned a lot about my own history. Dean was so helpful and encouraging on all the rides and worked endlessly and successfully to stop us getting lost. They were very good company and made it all seem effortlessDoreen Cantrell
Duncan was personable, efficient and knowedgeable. My knee went sideways one day and he was able to accomodate my needs while not impacting the other hiker or schedule.
