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      Ronan Shaw

      Ronan Shaw

      Patient | Energetic | Curious

      Mini Bio

      When I tell people I grew up in Dublin, they don’t picture a single-lane road with grass in the middle and sheep grazing behind my house. I grew up following my father around the fields and learned how to reach the seaside through hidden gaps in hedges.

      As a teenager, I headed west to study Outdoor Education, and for over a decade, my address changed regularly as I travelled, first throughout Ireland, then abroad, chasing adventures on far-flung peaks and down remote rivers. Now I’ve made a permanent base in the northwest of Ireland. I’m passionate about sharing my love of our beautiful country with anyone willing to share an adventure with me.

      Favourite Place to Play

      Of our coastal counties, Leitrim has the shortest coastline, but it packs in two rivers, a plethora of surf spots, and bouldering on the shore. The best part? All of it is overlooked by the beautiful plateau mountains of the Darty Hills. Hard to beat it, really!

      Not a lot of People Know This

      I used to get my kicks from karate and competed in two world championships, winning bronze twice.

      “I’m passionate about sharing my love of our beautiful country with anyone willing to share an adventure with me.”
      Expand All
      Qualifications Read More
      • A degree in Outdoor Education
      • Certified as a Mountain Leader
      • Rock Climbing Leader
      • Trail Cycle Leader (for mountain biking)
      • Kayaking instructor
      • I sat my first remote first aid course 15 years ago and have renewed it every few years since.
      Biggest Adventure Read More

      I’ve been to over 20 countries and had many adventures. That said, my first time to Africa, which I did solo, still loams large in my memory. I booked a flight and little else. After a frighting car journey from the airport, where the taxi nearly hit several people on the unlit dirt roads, I arrived at 2 am to find myself alone and the hostel gates locked.

      After a night of sleeping rough, I found a bed and spent the next two months travelling on motorbikes with my kayak between me and the drivers, paddling the rapids of the White Nile, sleeping in mud huts or with just a net between me and the stars.

      What Fellow Travellers Say About Ronan

      Knowledgeable guide, always obliging and helpful, with a good sense of humour,

      Helene Wanner
      Deluxe Hiking - Highlights of Ireland
      Reviewed on 29/08/2024

      Ronan was an excellent guide-very knowledgeable about each area we stopped, told great stories, went above and beyond to accommodate our needs (especially seeing Irish dancing). Needs to slow down just a bit on his driving.

      Joan Mocarski
      Deluxe Hiking - Highlights of Ireland
      Reviewed on 27/08/2024

      Ronan was a joy to spend the week with. His wealth of knowledge of each area, the culture and the history was amazing.

      Sharon Dwyer
      Hiking & Island Hopping - Cork & Kerry
      Reviewed on 08/08/2024

      Ronan was the best. He even took us to the laundromat where we we were continuing on to a second tour. He added additional hikes. And spots to visit. Really the best we have ever experienced. Great eye on details and very considerate to everyone.

      Monica Luchini
      Hiking & Island Hopping - Cork & Kerry
      Reviewed on 06/08/2024

      Ronan was exceptional. When we had complaints or issues they were never his fault but he would make sure they were resolve immediately.

      Michael Moles
      Self Guided plus+ Cycling - Wild Atlantic Way Southwest
      Reviewed on 29/07/2024

      After getting settled into a routine, the notes and directions were good. The GPS navigators behaved and were accurate.

      Wietze Hoogeveen
      Self Guided plus+ Cycling - Wild Atlantic Way Southwest
      Reviewed on 25/07/2024

      Ronan helped out as necessary but whoever programmed the garmons made a couple of end point errors. Glengarriff wasnt programmed in and the last day pick up point was a block out.

      Rae Hannah
      Self Guided plus+ Cycling - Wild Atlantic Way Southwest
      Reviewed on 24/07/2024

      Ronan was great. No issues along the way and felt very comfortable with his assistance. One of our group forgot their phone at one of the stops and he navigated back and retrieved it. Wow!

      Ellen Duffy
      Hiking - Connemara's Atlantic Edge
      Reviewed on 08/07/2024

      Ronan was AMAZING. So knowledgeable and helpful on every level. Loved his stories and his love for Ireland.

      Alice McHugh
      Hiking - Kerry & Clare
      Reviewed on 17/08/2023

      Ronan is a excellent guide, allways kind and helpful.

      Urs Marti
      Hiking - Kerry & Clare
      Reviewed on 26/06/2023

      Our guide, Ronan, was so accommodating. He was knowledgeable, thoughtful, and fun. Ronan demonstrated enthusiasm for the outdoors and a love for Ireland. He shared his vast knowledge about plants, animals, and geological features. He was also an exceptional storyteller, sharing wonderful tales of Irish folklore. A bonus was when he guided our group in a hurling practice!

      Kim Stuhlreyer
      Hiking - Kerry & Clare
      Reviewed on 26/06/2023

      Our guide, Ronan, was fantastic. He is the perfect combination of outdoorsman, naturalist, historian, and a classic Irish storyteller. He is also an excellent deejay as we motored about with a great Irish playlist. I’m very happy to be introduced to Christy Moore’s Lisdoonvarna live as we drove through the village! He tailored the walks well to a group that was pretty fit and we lengthened a couple of our jaunts. On top of all that he gave us a fun hurling lesson and some grand pub recommendations in Dublin.

      Thomas Stuhlreyer
      Hiking - Kerry & Clare
      Reviewed on 26/06/2023

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