Canoing, Kayaking, Rafting

***Mountain Skills for Only €120 / course*** Ever wanted to learn the skills you need to become a competent navigator in the Irish mountains, the UK, the Alps or beyond! As a fully qualified mountain guide and course provider for Mountaineering Ireland and the UK, I run Mountain Skills which is a nationally accredited course and is delivered in an upland environment. Hiking in Ireland can be challenging not only because of its wilderness, but the island has very little sign posted hiking trails in the mountains or hills. In addition to this, as being an island in the Atlantic we experience the forces of nature; storms and weather events. In other words, Ireland is probably the best place in Europe to learn a new outdoor skill like Mountain Skills. The aim of this course is to help you learn the skills you need to get out hiking in the hills and mountains independently, safely and responsibly. You will learn how to navigate with confidence by any type of weather conditions. A Mountain Skills course is run over 2 days in an upland environment and covers: Map reading, map description, map scale, contour lines, land and ground features, navigation legs, simple navigation techniques, setting the map, the 5 D, estimation of direction & destination, grid reference, mountain hazards, hypothermia, mountain environment, timing, pacing, route planning, route card, emergency procedures, personal equipment, safe movement skills, river crossing and much more… Some level of fitness is essential in taking part in this course. Each course (MS1 / MS2) is a 20 hour syllabus which includes indoor and outdoor sessions and night navigation (MS2) **A course includes:** Maps and compass provided, tea breaks, course notes, 3 route cards, a free hiking day practice as part of a weekend. **For Only €100 for under 18 and students and €120 for adults.** Accommodations can be provided Her are few additionnal dates: Jan 24-25 MS2 Glenmalure, Co.Wicklow Feb 11-12 MS1 Comeragh, Co.Waterford March 21-22 Glenmalure, Co. Wicklow March 28-29 Glenmalure, Co.Wicklow April MS1 18-19 Glenmalure, Co,Wickow For more information contact us at: [aeaccom@gmail.com](mailto:aeaccom@gmail.com) / +35387 9691193 Or go to: [www.mountainadventures74.com](http://www.mountainadventures74.com)

Distance 57 kms, 250m climbing Join us for a cycle out from Maynooth through Celbridge and Hazel Hatch, and then along the Grand Canal through Sallins before taking to the less travelled roads across county Kildare through Prosperous and Donadea back to Maynooth. Here is the plan for the day: 1. Meeting outside Maynooth train station at 11.00am. 2. We cycle through Maynooth and Carton Estate and then onwards through Celbridge and Hazel Hatch to reach the Grand Canal. 3. We take the Grand Canal Greenway through Sallins and across the Leinster Aquaduct over the river Liffey. 4. Leaving the canal the route passes across county Kildare through Prosperous, passing Donadea Forest Park before reaching Maynooth.. 5. We will have coffee/lunch in Prosperous. 6. You can travel to Maynooth on the Dublin to Maynooth commuter train from Connolly Station at 10.17,arriving in Maynooth at 11.00. You can bring your bicycle on Irish Rail commuter trains. Please wear a helmet and bring a tube, etc., in case you get a puncture. Please note - It is every participant's responsibility to ride safely, follow the rules of the road, and come prepared with the proper equipment. WAIVER & RELEASE: We are a group composed of volunteers. We are not a professional organisation. As such, each of us is responsible for our own safety and well-being during an organised event. The organiser(s) is not in any way responsible for any participant on the trip. However, as a group of friends, we make an effort to look out for one another to the best of our ability. By joining this event, you and your guests agree to and accept the following waiver and liability amendment to the Meetup Terms of Service at [https://www.meetup.com/terms/](https://www.meetup.com/terms/) ; 1. My guests and I have read the Meetup Terms of Service at [https://www.meetup.com/terms/](https://www.meetup.com/terms/) and hereby amend it to include the same waiver and release therein to this event's organiser(s) and participants.

About us: The Tibetan Dharma and Meditation Group is part of a Buddhist organisation based in Taiwan, which is centred on one of the greatest living Rinpoches (teachers) in the world at the moment. It aims to introduce people living in Ireland to Buddhist teachings and practices that have been passed to Rinpoche through his masters and their masters going back many, many generations in order to benefit and bring peace to all sentient beings. Location: We hold our meetings in the small hall at Sandyford Community Centre, Lambs Cross, Sandyford, Dublin 18.

Our midweek training session :-) Choose from 5km, 7.5km or 10km

**Explore Ballycorus and Carrickgollan Hill.** **Meeting Point : Dawson Street Luas Stop (Beside Pret A Manger).** **Time : 10:30 AM.** **When : Friday 15th of May.** **We will be meeting at Dawson Street Luas Stop at 10:30 AM (Beside Pret A Manger).** Waiting 5 Minutes and taking the **Southbound Green Line Luas from Dawson Street** and getting **off at Renelagh Luas Stop.** After getting off the Luas, we will walk for 1 minute to the Dublin **Ranelagh Luas Bus Stop (Bus Stop Number 2814), (Dublin Bus).** When we are at the Bus Stop we will be taking the **44 Dublin Bus to Enniskerry at 11:03 AM.** **Bus Duration 41 Minutes (45 Stops)** also goes past Dundrum for those who want to get on from there. We will be getting of the **Bus at Monastery House Bus Stop (Stop Number 4091), 11:44AM (Estimated Time)** Then walking **42 Minutes (2.7KM) to Carrickgollan Forest Trail (Estimated Arrival Time 12:26PM)** **Duration : 2 Hours 30 Minutes to 3 Hours** **Length : 8.2KM** **OR** **We can go to Enniskerry and Start from there, they have Coffee shops NEARLY and TOILETS.** Every event is 5 Euro's, you can pay by using Revolut or Cash. I hope to see you there. Many Thanks Thomas

Drink & Draw Ireland's paint party. Win Prizes. Create A Masterpiece. Music & craic! Absolutely no painting experience is necessary. This event is open to everyone, bring a loved one, a friend or come alone🎨 No experience is needed and in under two hours you will create a painting of your very own masterpiece ***[Get your Tickets](https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/drink-draw-sugarloaf-mountain-byob-tickets-1985727794287)*** **What you get with your ticket?** ☀ 1 x Canvas to keep ☀ All the painting materials necessary ☀ Instructor to help guide you ☀ Patterns and designs to inspire you ☀ Custom playlist with feel good tunes ☀ Win prizes! **FAQs:** **I'M NO GOOD AT ART AND HAVEN'T PAINTED SINCE SCHOOL?** Drink & Draw is a super fun event designed so you can have a good time, we aren't about perfection we want you to relax and create. We have instructors who will help guide you to creating your own masterpiece. It doesn't matter if you can't paint this about relaxing. **WHAT IF I GET PAINT ON MY CLOTHES?** We use non-toxic paint that can be machine washed. **DO YOU DO PRIVATE EVENTS?** Yes, we host private events, brand events, hen parties, and work parties. Contact us on bookings@alternativeexperiences.ie **HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT EVENTS?** Signup to our weekly newsletter [here](https://www.alternativedublincity.com/newsletter-signup/ "https://www.alternativedublincity.com/newsletter-signup/") **IS ALCOHOL PROVIDED AT THIS EVENT?** This event is a BYOB event to make it a cheap and fun event for you!

Are you Solo and Single!! Easily Make new 💑 friends🍻 with Speed Friending! No need for Apps 😀We are meeting for social drinks including soft drinks 🍺🍸🍷 at Hogans Bar. We will be inside the Bar area. Please, at least buy a drink or a soft drink or so, as we may not be welcomed again to certain bars. We will go to another late bar afterwards for dancing. So Dress Nice & neat please. Leave your surfing cloths and 🏖 surfboards at home please.😂 https://youtu.be/wD0Mm6WIcYs?feature=shared Many new people come solo to socialize and make new friends, so do not worry if you are solo, you are welcome to join us. I will introduce you to others in the group,so you are no longer solo. 😆Welcome to ask me questions about hiking gear and 🐬🐠🐡 scuba diving.

Catan, coup, Muchkin, Exploding kittens y mas! Agradeceriamos que consumierais algo (bebida, comida, postres, cafe, etc.) durante el evento para apoyar al local :) el evento es preferiblemente Alcohol free. Te esperamos!

All surf equipment provided, Surf board + Wetsuit, Surf Lesson and Return Bus from Dublin. Hot showers & Changing area. Beginners welcome , 2.5 hour surf lesson with our instructors on the beach and in the water. More advanced options are also available. Make sure to bring a towel to get changed, swimsuit, sun cream and a snack + drink. Payment €109 via Revolut to @surfireland , See you on the waves, Davey

Imagine waking up in a stunning villa overlooking the mountains with private pool + sauna… Lacing up for guided hikes through breathtaking coastal paths, olive groves & mountain trails… Feeding your soul with fresh market feasts, charming village stops, epic trail adventures, yoga & pure French Riviera magic. **Everything included:** ✅ Airport pickup & drop-off ✅ Shared villa stay with private pool, sauna & epic views ✅ Breakfast every morning + all lunches & dinners (vegetarian feasts) ✅ Local wines, beer & drinks at the villa ✅ French farmers market visit ✅ Guided hikes & trail adventures around Nice & the Riviera ✅ Daily village explorations & scenic walks ✅ Yoga classes ✅ Recovery boots & massage guns ✅ All transport & logistics Only **3 spots left** for May 2026! Perfect for solo adventurers, couples or your crew who actually show up. No pressure, just good humans, epic trails & memories that’ll last forever. [INFO HERE](https://www.epic-retreats.org/retreats/may-hiking-nice-france)

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.

Join us this Thursday (5/14) at 6:30 pm at Rocky Fork Metro Park in Westerville as we walk about 2.5 miles of a fully paved trail. The Beech Woodland trail is a flat yet scenic trail with a variety of landscapes. Let’s take it in together!

Hosted by Licking County Parks Registration opens at 9am on April 9th. Ladies are you ready? It's back! Every other year we hold the Women's Outdoor Skills Workshop! The day is a chance for women to relax, enjoy exploring new skills in a welcoming environment, and make new connections! Session topics this year include: archery, kayak, stand up paddleboard, outdoor cooking, firemaking, knot tying, foraging, forest bathing, orienteering, nature photography, nature journaling, intro to disc golf, yoga, Tai Chi, birding, intro to backpacking, and more! Lunch is provided. Fee: $75 * Event Address: James Bradley Center, Infirmary Mound Park, 4309 Lancaster Rd, Granville, OH 43023 * Ages 16+. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. * Cancellation: Cancellation deadline is May 20, 2026. Cancellations before this date will receive a refund. There will be 4 sessions: three 1.5 hour sessions throughout the day (9am-10:30am, 10:50am-12:20pm, 1:30pm - 3pm) followed by the final 1 hour wellness short session (3:20pm - 4:20pm). Each session will have 6 or more classes to choose from. PLEASE NOTE YOU MUST FILL OUT THE GOOGLE FORM TO BE FULLY REGISTERED - The link will be in your receipt email. It determines your sessions. Sessions assigned FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE. Register and pay here: [https://www.lickingparkdistrict.com/271/June-2026](https://www.lickingparkdistrict.com/271/June-2026)

We meet to learn and practice American Sign Language and to grow our familiarity with Deaf culture. Facilitated by hearing folks (with a connection to a professional interpreter) using Deaf-created content. People of all ASL skill levels are welcome! As we learn, we hope to connect more with the Deaf community in Central Ohio. Join us as you're able! Come regularly or just once - whatever you're looking for! Each meetup will explore different topics related to ASL/Deaf culture, and will feature time to practice conversation with one another. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn!

## Candle Making Night at The Arcane Foundry \| Design Your Own Custom Candle **SPECIAL PROMOTION**: Buy 3 and get 1 Free! Step into The Arcane Foundry and create your own custom candle from start to finish. This is a laid back, hands-on experience where **you’ll blend fragrances, choose your vessel, and pour your own candle using 100% soy wax**. Whether you’re coming solo or with friends, it’s designed to be simple, creative, and a good time. We’ll walk you through the entire process, from picking your scents to choosing between a traditional cotton wick or a crackling wood wick. You can go with one fragrance or mix your own blend to create something completely unique**. No experience needed**, just show up and we’ll handle the rest. While your candle sets, feel free to hang out, play a game, explore the shop, or just relax and talk. Drinks and snacks are available, and the atmosphere leans into the **fantasy**, **dark academia**, and **gothic horror** vibe The Arcane Foundry is known for. Learn More: [Candle Making in Columbus, Ohio at The Arcane Foundry](https://thearcanefoundry.com/candle-making/) *** ### What to Expect: * Guided candle making experience * Choose your own vessel, wax, wick, and fragrance * 100% soy wax candles * Optional drinks and snacks * Time to relax while your candle cools *** ### Important Notes: * Please arrive on time so we can start together * Candles will need time to set before taking home * This is a beginner-friendly event *** ### RSVP Required Reserve your spot on Meetup to lock in your seat. **Candle Making** (includes vessel, your choice of wick, wax, scented oil, labels and lids) 5oz Glass Jars $15 8oz Candle Tins $25 12oz Glass Candles $35 12oz Amber Jars $40 16 oz Skull or Jack o Lantern Candle Mugs $65 (Limited Edition!) **All materials included. You just bring yourself (and your drink of choice).** **Payments accepted:** * Credit Card * Venmo: @Daclaud-Lee * Cashapp: $DaclaudL