Environment and Skills Workshop
Burren Environment and Skills Weekend
Dates: 28th – 30th August 2026
A weekend of outdoor learning and exploration in the Burren, covering geology, flora, fauna, environment, and outdoor skills.
The Burren is a unique landscape carved by ice sheets and shaped by water. Its rocks formed over 300 million years ago and contain fascinating fossils. This Moon-like landscape, as well as its Arctic-Alpine and Mediterranean flora, attracts visitors from all over the world each year.
Join Anthea and Ambrose for 3 days of hillwalking, learning and skill sharing, as we visit hidden gems and spectacular landscapes between limestone hills and the Atlantic Ocean.
Who are we and who are the workshops aimed at?
Anthea Lacchia (Nature Tales & Trails) is a science and nature writer, Mountain Leader, Lowland Leader, and a geologist with a PhD on the fossils of County Clare.
Ambrose Flynn (HikeandClimb) is a certified Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor, Mountain Leader, Rock Climbing Instructor and member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors.
This weekend would suit anyone with some previous hillwalking experience who want to learn more about Ireland’s nature and landscapes. This includes Mountain leaders (MLs), lowland leaders (LLs), trainee MLs and LLs, as well as hiking club leaders/members.
It would also be an ideal learning opportunity for Rock Climbing Instructors (RCI), trainees and rock climbers who want to learn more about the rocks and landscapes they spend time on.
The weekend is run in a friendly atmosphere where we exchange ideas, share knowledge and spend time in a beautiful landscape.
Workshop Format and Content
We will be staying at accommodation not far from the Burren with a mixture of private bedrooms and bunk-style bedrooms. The accommodation is really nice, clearn, warm with a big kitchen and ample living room space.
When you arrive we will have an orientation chat, thereafter you will choose your rooms and get settled in with a cuppa.
We will then cover the plans for the weekend before venturing outdoors.
While the plans may change depending on the weather, you can expect to learn and exchange ideas on the following.
Geology, fossils, flora, fauna, environment and ecology, resources, safe and responsible outdoor recreation.
We will also dive into leadership skills, understanding-mitigation of risk, heuristics and much more.
We encourage participants to bring their curiosity and also share their knowledge and skills. Participants will acquire skills and knowledge that can be applied to outdoor recreation anywhere in Ireland.
When we retire each evening the goal is that we cook together each night and socialise together after our day outdoors.
