Fergal Harrington
Founder & Lead Mountain Leader
My connection to this landscape began during childhood summer holidays in Sneem. Walking up towards the local lakes and waterfalls, the incredible sense of open country left a lasting impression on me.
Years later, I took my first proper hike along a section of the Kerry Way. Standing where the old Butter Road opens out — flanked by Mangerton and Torc mountains — I was struck by the absolute silence. Despite being just a few hundred metres from the busy Ring of Kerry, it felt pristine, magical and entirely detached from the modern world. That single moment triggered a deep realisation. I had travelled widely and had great adventures, but this was different. I knew right then that I wanted to spend my life in these hills.
In January 2017, I committed to formal training — starting with Mountain Skills 1 and 2 in the early months of that year. The skills opened up a whole new world of the Kerry hills. By October 2017 I had completed the required mountain walks and passed the Mountain Skills Assessment. From there, the Mountain Leader training programme followed: ML1 in the Maumturk Mountains of Connemara and ML2 camped at Lough Sallagh in the Sneem Dunkerrons. I passed the three-day Mountain Leader Assessment in the Mourne Mountains in March 2019 — and left a corporate marketing career behind for good.
Today, nothing gives me greater pleasure than sharing these quiet, spectacular places with others. Out on the mountains, people naturally relax. I love the camaraderie that develops, the stories we share and the deep sense of well-being that nature brings. It is a genuine privilege to guide you through this landscape, creating memories that linger long after the boots come off.
Outside of guiding, Fergal is Safety and Training Officer and Committee Member with Sneem Walking Club, a Member of the Kerry Way Walking Trail Committee, Chairperson of The Sneem Story House and an accredited ‘Happy Hiking’ and ‘Hiking with Your Phone’ Course Provider for Mountaineering Ireland. He has been guiding professionally for 7 years.
Qualifications & Credentials
- Mountain Leader — Mountaineering Ireland (registered and current)
- Remote Emergency Care (REC) First Aid Certified — Certificate valid to May 2027
- Mountaineering Ireland Approved Mountain Skills Training Provider
- Leave No Trace Member — principles taught on every walk
- Professionally insured and Garda (Irish police) vetted
- 7 years professional guiding experience
Specialities
- Dunkerron Mountains, MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and high-mountain routes on the Iveragh Peninsula
- Kerry Way — full route and individual stages
- Coastal and lowland walking on the Iveragh and Beara Peninsulas
- Mountain Skills Training — navigation, weather reading, mountain safety
- Geology and landscape interpretation (Kerry Geopark)
- Wildlife identification — the Dunkerron Mountains are home to white-tailed eagles, hares, foxes and wild goats
Fergal is based at Álaind Lodge in Sneem year-round. For questions about any of the walking holidays, routes, or whether a particular programme is right for your fitness level, contact him directly. To talk through your holiday plans directly with Fergal, call him on +353-85-1422677 or send an email — he’s happy to chat through routes, fitness levels and which holiday suits you best.
Trish & Chris Collier
Your Hosts at Álaind Lodge
I was lucky enough to marry a Kerry girl and early on, Trish introduced me to the picturesque village of Sneem by way of a postcard. I was instantly captivated. That initial pull was made even stronger by her deep-rooted family ties here — stretching from her grandfather’s general store to her sister’s venture with the Riverain restaurant. This vibrant community anchored us and it’s where our children’s roots are strongest.
Stepping into the world of hosting has been an incredibly rewarding chapter. Every day, we open our doors to wonderful guests from all corners of the globe. I’m always in my element exchanging worldwide travel stories over a cup of tea. If you happen to visit, ask me about the ‘three rules’ of travel I’ve picked up, or see if you can pass our playful authenticity test for French speakers!
We love staying active in the stunning local landscape. If you are up for a challenge, you can join me on one of my many cycling routes around the rings. If you’re a fan of pickleball, tennis, or any racket sport, Trish can fill you in on the next upcoming local games. And yes, we both absolutely love hillwalking too — I guess it runs in the family!
Together, we look forward to welcoming you and sharing the best of Sneem. — Chris & Trish
Their Sneem
What still surprises us is cresting the hill from Kenmare and seeing the village beautifully embraced by the Dunkerron Mountains. For a favourite walk right from the doorstep, the rambling coastal path from the pier to the Sneem Hotel adds a wonderful touch of coastal adventure. Our go-to is D O’Shea’s Pub — perfect for relaxing and unwinding after a day out in the fresh Kerry air. We especially recommend the potato skins to share.
