West Cork Through Story – A Private Hike with a Modern Scéalaí
A private full-day journey through hills, bóithríní and old lore, guided by Conor Ó Buachalla – a scéalaí rooted in the tradition of the seanchaí.
Spend a full day on the land in the company of Conor Ó Buachalla, a modern scéalaí who traces the old stories, placenames and dúchas woven through the hills and valleys of West Cork. This private, small-group hike is curated specially for your group, with the route and challenge agreed ahead of time but we allow tweaks on the day to suit weather, tides and the kind of landscapes that will bring our stories alive.
We may follow the quiet pilgrimage paths of Drimoleague, climb the wild ridges of the Sheep’s Head, or take in a rugged stretch of clifftops and local islands if conditions allow. Each place carries its own memory – ringforts tucked into the folds of the hills, ancient settlement traces, old bóithríní once used by farming families, and field names whose meanings reveal who lived here, what they believed, and how they shaped the land.
As we move, we stop often to explore the layers beneath the scenery: tales of the Fianna and local heroes, stories of saints and secluded wells, echoes of famine-era life, and the old piseoga that still linger in these parts. The Irish language runs quietly through the day, from placenames to local expressions, adding depth and authenticity without any fuss.
Along the way, Conor shares a handful of his signature stories told in the old style – the kind of stories traditionally told at the firesides with a rhythm and cadence that belongs to this part of the world. These tales rise naturally from the landscape as we meet it, keeping the spirit of the seanchaí alive without turning the day into a performance.
You’ll also learn how to read the land itself – the raithneach, the bog cotton and fionnán on the high ground, the wildlife patterns that mark each season, the cliff and ridge formations that tell their own version of history. While these can be a demanding hikes depending on the agreed routes, nothing is rushed. This is a day for settling into the rhythm of the place, listening to the wind coming off the hills, and letting the stories do their work.
By the time we finish, you’ll carry a richer sense of West Cork – not just what it looks like, but what it remembers.
Highlights
- Private full-day hike curated specifically for your group
- Routes range from Sheep’s Head, Drimoleague heritage paths or West Cork clifftops
- Storytelling and placename lore rooted in dúchas
- Irish language woven naturally through the experience
- Small-group intimacy (up to 8 people)
- Slow, unhurried pace with time for views, stories and exploration
- Learn about wildlife, plants, settlement patterns and mythic landscape
- A deep connection with West Cork through story and place