Cuilcagh Climbing

Most great days in the mountains end up in a public house. Some may have a pot of tea, others a pint. The best pub stops are the places with character, traditional interiors, local folks telling tales and a friendly face behind the counter.

Not many can match the welcoming atmosphere of J. McHugh, Glenfarne.

It's been a busy week! 🧗‍♂️ 🧗‍♀️

Meet Abe 🤩 Abe Acheson

We're delighted to introduce Abe, Mountain Leader and Rock Climbing Instructor from County Fermanagh. Abe has been interested in the outdoors from a very young age, beginning with fishing in his early teens before being introduced to a local Hiking Club, where everything progressed from there.

Travelling to explore mountains and remote landscapes has become one of Abe's greatest passions, combining his love of adventure with the challenge of trekking and mountaineering. While he enjoys discovering trails abroad, the Irish hills remain especially meaningful to him.

We Asked Abe...

What would you never go on a hike without?
A: A map and compass.

If you could give every Hike West Fest participant one piece of advice, what would it be?
A: "Be bothered!" Stop and take that drink or snack, stop and put those gloves or jacket on. Comfort in the hills equals enjoyment in the hills.

What's the toughest hike you've completed?
A:
Hike: Everest Base Camp
Climb: Mont Blanc du Tacul

☁️ Do you know your clouds? ☁️

Clouds come in all shapes, sizes and heights. They aren’t just pretty to look at—they can reveal a lot about what’s happening in the atmosphere. ☁️

From wispy ice-crystal clouds high above to towering storm clouds, here’s how to identify each type:
Cirrus: Thin, wispy clouds made of ice crystals.
Cirrocumulus: Small, white, rippled clouds.
Cirrostratus: Thin, sheet-like clouds that often create halos around the sun or moon.
Altostratus: Gray or bluish clouds that cover the sky like a blanket.
Altocumulus: Patches or layers of clouds often seen before a storm.
Nimbostratus: Thick, gray clouds that bring steady rain or snow.
Cumulus: Fluffy, white clouds with flat bottoms, often associated with fair weather.
Stratus: Low, gray clouds that may bring drizzle or fog.
Stratocumulus: Lumpy, low clouds with some gaps of blue sky.
Cumulonimbus: Towering storm clouds that bring heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and sometimes severe weather.

How many can you spot the next time you look up? 👀

Bilberry Sunday or Garland Sunday spent foraging for the berries themselves.Also known as Fraughan-Blaeberry.

The last Sunday of July - Garland Sunday, Bilberry Sunday or Reek Sunday, was a day to mark the end of Hungry July and anticipate the harvest to come.

Today, Garland Sunday is an annual day of pilgrimage, also known as Reek Sunday for the climb of Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo, known as Ireland’s holiest mountain. There will be serious celebrations this evening after todays result!! 🟢🔴

Get booking! It's sure to be a great weekend of hiking. Supported by your local Mountain Leader 😉 🏔

Hiking Festival | Hiking In Ireland | Westport Festivals Welcome to Hike West Fest, an event designed for you to explore the thrills of hiking the Mayo landscape, regardless of your hiking experience.

Great to see some Peat Restoration works high up on Sliabh an Iarainn at the weekend. This is part of a €2m funding project from the Shared Island Initiative. Kudo's to all involved. Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark

My Fairhead Report 2026:

Fairhead Climbing Meet 2026 – Rain, Routes and a First Trad Whipper | Colmcille Climbers Logbook Fairhead Climbing Meet 2026 – Rain, Routes and a First Trad Whipper 01/07/2026 Abe Leave a comment If there’s one thing you can always count on at the Fairhead Climbing Meet, it’s world-class trad climbing, great company, and weather that likes to keep everyone guessing. This year’s ...