South East Ireland Tourism
Travel guide to Ireland's south east
Travel guide to Ireland's south east
Safety Advice for Walking in Ireland
Walking in the hills of the South East can be a marvellous experience. Knowing and following some basic safety rules can help keep your walking enjoyable.
1. Planning – Plan the walk on paper according to your group’s fitness, health and experience. Remember to plan what to do if you run out of time or hit bad weather. Check the weather forecast. Try to ensure that someone in the group has First Aid Experience. Remember that mobile phones do not work everywhere, and that they are only useful in an emergency and if you know where you are. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
2. Must have – have good quality boots with ‘vibram’ type soles. Have food and drink and suitable clothing for the weather you are expecting (and worse!) Have waterproof outer clothing. Jeans and running shoes are not suitable for the hills. The group should carry emergency food, whistle, torch, map, compass and survival bags or shelters.
3. Respect the hills, their owner, and other walkers. Leave nothing behind but footprints, especially not litter. Take all necessary steps to ensure your safety. Do not interfere with livestock, crops or other property. Beware of the risk of fire. Leave gates as you find them and do not damage fences or walls. Leave you dog at home. Keep your group, especially any children under control. Protect wildlife, plants and trees. Remember that others on the hills like quietness just as much as you do so avoid making unnecessary noise. Do not block farm entrances or side roads when parking. Remember farm vehicles need a lot of space to turn.
4. Know where you are and be able to navigate you way home even in poor conditions. Keep an eye on you group to spot problems before they become serious. Travel at a pace of the slowest walker and keep the group together. Remember that the weather can change in minutes. A sunny day down low can be a severe winter’s day on the top of the hills. Ensure that your group keeps warm, dry and well nourished. Avoid problems like river crossings, steep or loose ground or getting into situations beyond the capabilities of your group. Be sure to know how many is in your group.
5. If problems arise: Do not be afraid to turn back or cut the walk short. Better safe than sorry! If you are late down, contact the person who will be worrying about you as soon as you can.
6. If there is an emergency: Keep the group together. Send two people with a written message to the nearest phone. The message should include the location of the accident, the time of the accident, what happened, the injuries and the number in the group. Make the casualty safe and comfortable, apply First Aid. Shelter the casualty (and the others in the group) from weather. If you have to leave someone on their own, mark the spot with something bright. Use a whistle or torch to attract help to you.
If you are reporting an emergency: Ring 999 or 112 and ask for Mountain Rescue. Stay at the phone to answer questions from a member of Mountain Rescue.
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1. Planning – Plan the walk on paper according to your group’s fitness, health and experience. Remember to plan what to do if you run out of time or hit bad weather. Check the weather forecast. Try to ensure that someone in the group has First Aid Experience. Remember that mobile phones do not work everywhere, and that they are only useful in an emergency and if you know where you are. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
2. Must have – have good quality boots with ‘vibram’ type soles. Have food and drink and suitable clothing for the weather you are expecting (and worse!) Have waterproof outer clothing. Jeans and running shoes are not suitable for the hills. The group should carry emergency food, whistle, torch, map, compass and survival bags or shelters.
3. Respect the hills, their owner, and other walkers. Leave nothing behind but footprints, especially not litter. Take all necessary steps to ensure your safety. Do not interfere with livestock, crops or other property. Beware of the risk of fire. Leave gates as you find them and do not damage fences or walls. Leave you dog at home. Keep your group, especially any children under control. Protect wildlife, plants and trees. Remember that others on the hills like quietness just as much as you do so avoid making unnecessary noise. Do not block farm entrances or side roads when parking. Remember farm vehicles need a lot of space to turn.
4. Know where you are and be able to navigate you way home even in poor conditions. Keep an eye on you group to spot problems before they become serious. Travel at a pace of the slowest walker and keep the group together. Remember that the weather can change in minutes. A sunny day down low can be a severe winter’s day on the top of the hills. Ensure that your group keeps warm, dry and well nourished. Avoid problems like river crossings, steep or loose ground or getting into situations beyond the capabilities of your group. Be sure to know how many is in your group.
5. If problems arise: Do not be afraid to turn back or cut the walk short. Better safe than sorry! If you are late down, contact the person who will be worrying about you as soon as you can.
6. If there is an emergency: Keep the group together. Send two people with a written message to the nearest phone. The message should include the location of the accident, the time of the accident, what happened, the injuries and the number in the group. Make the casualty safe and comfortable, apply First Aid. Shelter the casualty (and the others in the group) from weather. If you have to leave someone on their own, mark the spot with something bright. Use a whistle or torch to attract help to you.
If you are reporting an emergency: Ring 999 or 112 and ask for Mountain Rescue. Stay at the phone to answer questions from a member of Mountain Rescue.
<< Return to Walking page
