Walking & Talking in Donegal

The Northern Lights

Sean — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:57:25 +0000

It’s been a mild winter so far in contrast to the snow and ice of last year which I must say I loved – for walking that is! For drivers it was not so easy.

This winter it has been wet – so much rain – and very, very stormy. Being on the coast we experienced very dramatic days with very high waves – in fact a wave of over 20 metres was recorded off the coast of Donegal – the biggest ever.

The winter skies can be very beautiful – dark clouds, piercing sunshine, rainbows and forever changing.
And this January many people have been coming to Donegal to see the Aurora Borealis or The Northern Lights. Lots of people planned their weekends around it so it was a welcome boost for tourism here in the winter. Most unusual but a sight of those fabulous colours kept many people outdoors at night hoping for a glimpse.

Now the days are stretching and there’s a feeling of spring in the air – it’s already Celtic Spring although many people think it starts in March. But really when you feel it inside then spring is here!

I’m looking forward to seeing nature leaving winter behind and to seeing our hills and headlands again with new growth and wonderful flowers.

What I’m looking forward to most this year is meeting new people, hearing new stories and watching their happiness at being in Donegal!

The Delights of Donegal

Sean — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:50:53 +0000

It was another great year with Walking and Talking.
Meeting new people, the return of former walkers and the making of friendships. After a few days confidences are exchanged and bonding takes place – dates are arranged for future meetings – sometimes outside Ireland – London, Paris, Germany, Alsace – just some of the places decided upon by our walkers who also come from many different countries themselves – The Netherlands, France, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, UK, USA, Canada and of course Ireland.

I often wonder how much the beauty of the Donegal landscape influences the good vibrations among the walkers. It constantly changes with the seasons and the weather. Sometimes we may be moving through misty and mystical valleys, at others we may taking off layers of clothing as we walk along a sunny coast.

Favourite walks this year? Well Glenveagh National Park was very special. Walking down the valley, along the lough towards the castle and its exotic gardens. Very often we experienced music and dancing at the Castle where they are making great efforts to entertain the public.

Climbing the hills with the park rangers is a special treat, through bog, heather and rocky summits. Sometimes we come upon a herd of deer who quickly and gracefully disappear over the hill.

But maybe next week another walk will have taken my fancy – wait and see!!

Gerhard Merse

Sean — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:23:15 +0000

It was one of the best holidays I have ever had. I took part in a walking and talking tour in County Donegal from 09.07. – 16.07.2011. It was a kind of a magic tour for me. A wonderful group with very nice people, magnificient landscapes, natural coastlines, wild countrysides, fantastic meals, long evenings and a lot of stories from Sean. I can really say “Walking and talking in Ireland with Sean is good for heart, body and soul” – and it is like a cure for everyone – Absolutely!!!

Maureen Scarborough, mhscarb@gmail.com, August 2011

Sean — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 17:25:39 +0000

Hi Sean,

I would like to thank you for a wonderful holiday. As a first introduction to Ireland it couldn’t have been better. The countryside, mountains and beaches have an unspoilt beauty which I haven’t found elsewhere. The warm welcome from the Irish community was refreshing it’s very unusual for people in Southern England to greet you with a smile and a hello. You managed the group with good humour , congratulations.

I really look forward to seeing the photos, once again many thanks for an amazing holiday.

Nassrin, Ingrid and Gisela, Gisela@reese-home.de, July 2011

Sean — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:30:17 +0000

We walked along the magnificent coasts of Ireland,
saw beautiful beaches with colourful sand,
looked at the birds sitting on their nests,
heard their voices and had a short rest
with Snickers, ham and bread,
were surrounded by friendly, sporty people from foot to head.

We talked a lot, jumped over hills
or went under trees and saw mills.
When we arrived one of the nature`s wonders,
we took a deep breath,
Irland brought to us it`s nature wealth.

In the evening we always got delicious food,
we were sitting together in happy mood.
When we thought about the song and speech for Sean,
it was made for an experienced man, who has a friendly behaviour nice and warm.
Often, when the week in Irland flashes upon our inward eyes,
in our hearts pleasure lies.

THANK YOU SEAN FOR ALL !

Hope to see you and the friendly members of our group again.

Warm regards
the three ladies from Hamburg

Bill Coleman, Philadelphia, billcoleman26@yahoo.com, July 2011

Sean — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:36:54 +0000

Sean:
I loved getting to know the various members of our group.
I loved the balance between stop and go; between walking and talking.
I loved Sean’s manner which is informal and low key.
I loved our two B & B’s and all the delicious meals we had together.
I loved the drizzle, and Sean’s name for it: “liquid sunshine.”
I loved the balance between comfort and work (i.e. walking).
I was stunned, day after day, by the meadows, the cliffs, the rocks, and the tapestry of all the wild flowers, heather and ferns.

Every trip involves two things: wrestling with logistics and immersing one’s self in a new world. Sean takes care of the logistics so well that we were free to lose ourselves in beautiful, tragic, and still beautiful Ireland.

Ed Verhaar, Almere, The Netherlands

Sean — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:38:47 +0000

Since 2005, I’ve been on several Walking & Talking tours with Sean Mullan, both full week walks and weekend walks. Just the fact that I keep coming back to Donegal again & again should say something. From the warm welcome by Anne and Bert at Ardeen House, through the great walks in the most stunning landscapes, to the good ‘craic’ at the Bridge Bar at night: I can’t recommend a Walking & Talking tour enough!

Heinrich Dreier, hd@3er-consult.de, July 2011

Sean — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:31:59 +0000

Hello everybody,

Ireland is a wonderful country and Sean showed us on our walking in Donegal some especially scenic places. Without Seans knowledge of this beauty routes, our trip would have been to typical tourist places.There were so many impressions I will keep in my mind.
The day in Derry was full of the younger history of Ireland and the details Sean told helped to understand the background of this bloody period.
It was the first time that we spend our holidays with a group of people we did not know before. But from the first day on it was a team. During our walks and in the bus everybody was talking to everybody and from my side all conversations were very pleasant and interesting.

Cathie Mullen, Ireland

Sean — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:45:34 +0000

Dear Sean,

It was amazing! Thank you for a wonderful week.

Christelle, France, 2008

Sean — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:43:21 +0000

Merci pour cette semaine internationale, amicable, chaleureuse et revigorante qui m’a permis to pratiquer l’anglais.