Venture Out

Wilderness For Wellbeing

At Wilderness Ireland, we believe that wild places have the power to change lives. For years, we’ve seen our travellers discover new confidence, resilience and joy while exploring Ireland’s mountains, coastlines and remote landscapes. We’re proud to share that we’re extending that same opportunity to those who may not otherwise have access to it through a new partnership with Venture Out, an organisation dedicated to supporting marginalised and disadvantaged people across Ireland.

Who Are Venture Out?

Venture Out delivers outdoor and nature-based programmes to individuals and communities that often face barriers to accessing green space. Their programmes are designed not just for recreation but also for healing, empowerment and personal development. By connecting people to Ireland’s landscapes, Venture Out helps participants build skills, confidence and resilience while supporting their health and well-being.

The Ember Project

One of Venture Out’s flagship programmes is The Ember Project. A multi-day wilderness expedition, Ember allows participants to step outside their everyday environment and experience the natural beauty of Connemara. On these journeys, participants camp under the stars, cook together outdoors and hike through some of Ireland’s most spectacular wild places. But Ember isn’t just about the adventure – it’s about growth.

Lighting The Embers

Over the course of the Ember expeditions, participants learn and practice essential life skills such as:
Self-care: understanding how to look after one’s own needs in a challenging setting.
Time management: working within a group to manage tasks and responsibilities.
Teamwork: learning to collaborate, share roles and support one another.
These fundamental life skills can be life-changing and transformative to those in this programme.

The Ember expeditions are designed as safe, supportive environments. Venture Out’s experienced facilitators guide participants not only through the physical journey but also through personal reflection and skill-building. For many, the experience of camping in the wilderness and relying on both themselves and their peers is a turning point – a chance to build confidence, resilience and a renewed sense of possibility.

Discover more about the Ember Expeditions on the Venture Out website.

The Ember Project

How Wilderness Ireland is Involved

Thanks to the support of our travellers, Wilderness Ireland is proud to fully fund an additional Ember Project expedition in 2025. This means more people from disadvantaged backgrounds will have the opportunity to experience the power of the outdoors in Connemara and other wild regions of Ireland. Our decision to support Venture Out comes from a deep belief in nature’s positive impact. We’ve witnessed it repeatedly with our travellers: nature connects, heals and empowers. Through this partnership, we’re ensuring those who need it most are given the same opportunities to discover those benefits.

Our team member Lucianne joined an Ember journey in Connemara to experience the impact of a Venture Out expedition first-hand. Here, she shares her reflections on how nature offers a unique space for growth, healing and human connection.

Read Lucianne’s Story