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    Duncan Warner

    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 Read More
    • Degree in Outdoor Learning
    • Certificate in Training Delivery and Evaluation
    • Mountain Leader
    • Mountain Bike Leader
    • Ride Leader Award
    • Single Pitch Award
    Experience Read More

    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 Read More

    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 Read More

    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 Read More

    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 Read More

    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

    Well, I've spoken somewhat already of Duncan. The routes selected for us were not only fun and beautiful but also safe feeling. I think his depth of experience re: the routes and "reading" his clients made a difference in how he tracked us, and he does a superb job. We had a conversation of some possible factors to look at as bikes are replaced-perhaps a longer wheel base, more shock absorbtion-and he not only encouraged feedback but was a good listener.

    Susan Canham
    Self Guided+ Cycling - Connemara & The Burren
    Reviewed on 02/11/2022

    Duncan, nobody could have done it better. THE total package!!

    Paul Morgenthaler
    Self Guided+ Cycling - Connemara & The Burren
    Reviewed on 31/10/2022

    WOW - absolutely NOTHING to complain about. Duncan and Dean were the best. They shared their incredible knowledge of Ireland and its history as well as entertained us with great stories along the way. Their humour added a great deal to our experience. Everytime we stopped they were there to take care of us and our bikes and lots of great snacks to keep us going. Although this is their job I cannot imagine they could have taken any better care of us. In my opinion they went above and beyond - everyday!! I had been looking for an item and in just passing mentionned it to Duncan and the next day he made it available. Just fabulous guys!!

    Eileen Moylan
    Private Bike Tour - The Kerry Peninsulas
    Reviewed on 04/08/2022

    We loved having Dean and Duncan as our guides. They took care of us and our bikes every day. They were knowledgeable about all the areas we stopped and rode through and did a terrific job sharing information. Our family loves to laugh and They both have wonderful senses of humour which made it all perfect.

    Patricia Moylan
    Private Bike Tour - The Kerry Peninsulas
    Reviewed on 01/08/2022

    Read my previous note. Dean and Duncan were... I've run out of superlatives. They completely surpassed my expectations. They contributed to the fun atmosphere in every way. And the snacks at the various rest stops.... we bought a month's supply of jelly babies on the way home just to keep the memories of the trip fresh in our minds (and our mouths).

    Brian Moylan
    Private Bike Tour - The Kerry Peninsulas
    Reviewed on 01/08/2022

    Dean and Duncan made our trip. They were professional, helpful, present, knowledgeable, and entertaining. They adapted the program to the needs of the group as we went along and never made us feel pressed or hurried.

    Marie Moylan
    Private Bike Tour - The Kerry Peninsulas
    Reviewed on 01/08/2022

    Our self guide in previous years with different companies was very isolated. Wilderness was distant but very available and checked in regularly.

    Robin Given
    Self Guided+ Cycling - Wild Atlantic Way Southwest
    Reviewed on 10/07/2022

    We were on a self guided tour but our guide was there through out our days popping up to check in us often, we were not expecting that but it was lovely knowing he was never too far away if we needed him.

    Deb Cnota
    Self Guided+ Cycling - Wild Atlantic Way Southwest
    Reviewed on 06/07/2022

    Duncan and Graham could not have been any more informative, helpful, cheerful and generally brilliant for the tour. They are immensely talented men and we were lucky to have had them

    Rick Cook
    Bike Tour - Donegal From Cliffs to Coast
    Reviewed on 03/07/2019

    Both our guides were excellent. They love what they do and were totally professional. All our needs were catered to, both on and off the bikes. This was particularly true when Richard was sick one day and our guides did everything they could to facilitate his recovery and provide all the things that he needed, such as late check outs or early check ins.

    They were both fun, with great senses of humour.

    Sally Gallimore
    Bike Tour - Donegal From Cliffs to Coast
    Reviewed on 02/07/2019

    we completely enjoyed our time with Duncan
    He is warm and kind yet capable of meeting a schedule and arranging f great experiences at all sites and activities
    Ourcthanks to Duncan for making our visit unforgettable

    Stephen Larson
    19WITM Ireland Tailor Made Trips
    Reviewed on 12/04/2019

    Duncan is a brilliant guide with great stories

    Philip Chambers
    Hiking - The Mountains of Connemara and Mayo
    Reviewed on 10/09/2018

    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
    Hiking - The Mountains of Connemara and Mayo
    Reviewed on 07/09/2018

    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 vote

    Charlotte Chambers
    Hiking - The Mountains of Connemara and Mayo
    Reviewed on 06/09/2018

    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
    Hiking - The Mountains of Connemara and Mayo
    Reviewed on 04/09/2018

    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
    Hiking - The Mountains of Connemara and Mayo
    Reviewed on 03/09/2018

    Duncan provided motivation and information about each segment. He had fun and informative stories along the hikes,

    Steven Taylor
    Hiking - The Mountains of Connemara and Mayo
    Reviewed on 03/09/2018

    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 effortless

    Doreen Cantrell
    Private Connemara to the Aran Islands
    Reviewed on 23/07/2018

    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.


    Hiking - The Mountains of Connemara and Mayo
    Reviewed on 09/06/2018

    Ben Walker, Duncan Warner, and Craig Little were all excellent. They were all good-humored, helpful, socially adept, good drivers, too. I'd single Ben Walker out for some special praise: I've never seen a tour guide who was better at engaging people and drawing them out in conversation. He seemed to have an instinct for making sure everyone was included and appreciated-- a very rare social gift.

    Mark Armstrong
    Road Cycling - The Five Countries
    Reviewed on 02/10/2017

    The guides were the BEST! They absolutely made the trip. They were very perceptive, organized and upbeat.

    Kenneth Weiner
    Road Cycling - The Five Countries
    Reviewed on 26/09/2017

    Guides very professional and approachable, always ready for a chat. The guides worked hard looking after all the aspects in regard to our personal safety, bike maintenance, keeping up snacks enroute & maps garmins at the ready each day.
    The guides on trip were very experienced in the field and it showed. This tour I can't fault they were fantastic!

    Maree Villani
    Road Cycling - The Five Countries
    Reviewed on 25/09/2017

    Duncan's Gallery

    © Duncan Warner / Wilderness Ireland

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