About the tour

£10.00

Sperrins Festival 2026 Events

Dates: 20, 21 & 22 March 2026

Fri 20th March:

‘Ancient Languages of Ireland’ is an 8km Moderate Walk from Greencastle Community Centre. It is suitable for all walkers and will visit historic sites such as Aghascrebagh Ogham Stone. Registration is at 1.30pm in Gortin Activity Centre. Walk on minor roads and tracks.

Transport is provided to and from the walk. The bus will depart Greencastle Community Centre at 5.30pm to return to Gortin. There will be food provided in Gortin Activity Centre on return and a traditional music session with Comhaltas will take place in the Centre at 7pm.

Sat 21st March

‘Well You’re Here’ is a 4-5km Easy Walk on plant ecology in Learmount Forest suitable for everyone. The walk will include a forest-mindfulness session and visit to the Stonemason’s Cottage, hosted by local community members. Walk is on forest trails.

‘The Centre of it All’ is a Moderate Walk from Broughderg Community Centre to Davagh Forest, via the Beaghmore Stone alignments. The walk is suitable for people with good general fitness and will examine the significance of the area as the absolute middle of Ulster, and what this has meant down generations. Walk Length 8km on minor roads, open country and forest trails.

‘Giant Steps’ is a 13km Challenging Walk from Sperrins Heritage Centre to Gortin village via Barnes Gap. The walk will look at the effects of changes in climate to land use over generations. Walk is on minor roads, trails and open country. Suitable for walkers will prior walking experience on hillsides and open ground.

Registration of Saturday’s walks are in Gortin Activity Centre at 9am (Challenging Walk) and 10am (Easy & Moderate Walks). Transport is provided to and from walk locations.

While the walks are away there are family activities in Gortin- a scavenger hunt and drop-in archery session take place from 3.30-6pm. Later in the evening there are 2 bands in Mossey’s Bar- traditional music from 7-9pm and a second band 10pm-midnight.

Sun 22nd March:

‘The Weeping Glen’ is a 13km Challenging Walk from Dromboughil Community Centre to Moneyneeny, via Banagher Glen. The walk will focus on the human and ecological tales of this rare and special place. Walk is on forest trails and minor roads.

Registration is in Gortin Activity Centre at 9am. Refreshments are provided after the walk in the Rath Dúbh Centre, Moneyneeny, and transport provided back to Gortin. While the walk is away there is a Family Funday in Gortin including faceprinting, a kids disco and a visit from Sperrins Alpacas from 2pm. There will be a traditional Mossey’s Bar from 7-9pm

Delivered by the Sperrins Partnership, the Sperrins Festival takes place from 20-22 March 2026 and is a celebration of walking, history, environment, culture and heritage within Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. For more information about the festival and a programme of events taking place, please keep an eye on social media channels or visit the website Sperrins Partnership Project or email info@sperrinspartnershipproject.com

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Meet Our Instructors

Lorcan McBride

Director

I have been making the outdoors both my work and passion for over 10 years now- and every activity brings new people, new places, and new discoveries. What keeps me smiling is discovering the depth of Ireland’s natural heritage- and how people take to it so positively. I have been working with community leaders in Aotearoa/New Zealand for years to understand our own indigenous identity.

Darren Thompson

Adventure Guide

Born in the city, Darren spent 12 years working in Scotland leading water and land based expeditions. Living in Inishowen since 2018, he is happiest when rock-climbing and kayaking around our beautiful coast-line

Michelle McLaughlin

Adventure Guide

Hiya I’m Michelle. I’ve been coaching Outdoor Education for over 30 years. As well as teaching I avidly do Outdoor Pursuits for my hobbies. It’s an amazing feeling empowering people to get out of their comfort zone and find a buzz that will stay with them for a long time

Steven Casey

Rock Climber

My name is Steven- I have been working in the outdoors most of my career and I have a special love of climbing. I enjoy learning the history of the places we get to climb in and the stories told about our land and heritage, they bring the landscape to life.