An Óige Hiking Group
Our An Óige hiking group organises weekly hikes which are open to all An Óige members. Every Sunday, no matter the weather, we hit the trails. We also organise twice monthly Thursday hikes as well as a hike on the second Saturday of every month.
All our walks are organised by dedicated volunteers and are a fundamental aspect of what we at An Óige are about.
Note: To participate in any of our hikes, you must be an An Óige member. You will only be permitted to take part if you have your membership card with you for every hike.
Children 15-18 years must be accompanied by a verified parent or guardian. Please be sure to give advance notice for child participants.
All participants must be properly equipped for our hikes, e.g. proper rain gear, trousers, hiking boots, backpack, etc. Jeans and runners are NOT PERMITTED.
There are 3 levels of walks:
- Moderate
- Easier Moderate
- Easier
Participants must adhere to the Hike Leaders instructions at all times. The Leader sets the pace of the hike and participants are expected to obey their instructions.
Leaders have the right to refuse to take those who do not co-operate with them. They can also refuse to take those they consider would be unable to walk at a reasonable pace, especially at Moderate and Easier Moderate hikes.
Anyone who doesn’t have the proper equipment, e.g. hiking boots, rainwear, backpack, etc or anyone wearing jeans or runners will not be permitted on the hikes.
It is important that walkers who go on Moderate Hikes be fit and able to keep pace with the group. A coordinator has been appointed to organise hikers on Eden Quay each Sunday.
Photographic Group
The An Óige Photography Group is affiliated to the Irish Photographic Federation and takes part in the Federations annual competitions. Every month we issue a programme of events and activities to members. Please click below to access the
Every year, during Summer, an exhibition of members' work is held in the National Botanic Gardens. Members from clubs around Ireland are invited to submit entries with IPF gold medals awarded for the winning pictures.
Each year the Photography Group organises a Digital Camera Course for beginners. If you have a camera at home and have no idea how to use it, this is the perfect course for you!!. Even if you do know how to use your camera but want to know how to get the best out of it or just want to improve your photography skills, this course is for you too.
From beginners to professional photographers, all are always welcome at the An Óige photography group. As well as sharing tips and tricks with one another to help improve skills and techniques, the group also organises get togethers and excursions, always in search of capturing the perfect shot.
Conservation Group
From the beginning, in 1931, An Óige hostels have provided access to people young and not so young to urban and rural environments in Ireland.
The An Óige Conservation Group is a group of dedicated volunteers with passion for deepening our appreciation for the world around us.
This is achieved through the promotion and support of environmentally sustainable practices and policies within our organisation and providing opportunities for our members to participate in nature conservation works and education. We also organise activities for the appreciation of our cultural and built environment.
One of the Conservation Group’s great achievements has been the implementation of waste recycling systems at many of our hostels, several have even achieved recognised eco accreditation.
Knockree Hostel is at the center of many of the group's activities. With the support of a Heritage Council grant in 2016, a nature conservation management plan was developed for the hostel’s 26 hectare site.
The Conservation Group volunteers are responsible for implementing the practical aims of the plan, which has now been adopted by the hostel association as a strategic objective.
In 2018, a major step towards achieving the plan’s aim was taken when over 1km of deer proof fencing was erected and 10,000 native Irish trees were planted in a new 4.5 hectare native woodland scheme. Overall, the plan's objectives are the restoration and enhancement of the habitats found at the site and the increase of its biodiversity.
The group's dedicated Facebook page can be found at - An Óige Knockree Nature Conservation Project.
Monthly meetings and activities of the Conservation Group are held at the Knockree Hostel during Spring, Summer and Autumn and in Dublin during Winter. All An Óige members are free to participate. Upcoming meetings and activities are posted on the Knockree Nature Facebook page, An Óige volunteer database and the An Óige Conservation Group members email list.
Cycling Group
Founded in 1938, the An Óige Cork/Kerry Regional Cycling Group is still going strong. It is concentrated in and around Cork City.
The main activity of the group is leisurely cycling, as opposed to the speed and distance of road cycling. Although our bikes are often hybrid or touring bikes with carriers, we are fit and not afraid of a little climbing. Thursday evening cycles are held during the summer months.
There are three groups:
- Long- typically 50km distance
- Medium - typically 40km distance
- Short - typically 30km distance cycles
This however will often depend on how hilly the route is.
As well as our Thursday evening Summer cycles, we have Saturday morning cycles from September to March and cycling weekends away are orgnised every month for most of the year. Monthly leisure walks are also organised and take place on Sundays.
Participants need to be An Óige members and have a reasonable fitness level for cycling and walking. You can purchase an An Óige membership by CLICKING HERE.
For further information contact anoigecorkcycling@gmail.com