A round-up of this week's outdoor events
- May festival Achill Island, in Co Mayo, will host its eighth annual walking festival over the May bank holiday. All levels of ability are catered for, with guided walks on Slievemore on Saturday, May 1st, and Curraun Hill and Innisbiggle on Sunday, May 2nd. Keem Bay loop is the walk planned for Monday. Each walk costs €15 for adults and €7.50 for children. 098-47353, achilltourism.com.
- Walk the talk Cape Clear island, in Co Cork, is hosting its first Walking-Talking festival over the May bank holiday. Launched by the author and broadcaster Damien Enright, the walks will focus on the island's history, folklore and ecology. The weekend will include whale- watching trips, singing workshops, poetry readings, local folklore and culinary and musical fare. Registration costs €5, plus €5 for each event or €25 for all walks and talks. 028-39119, walkingtalking.info
- Rocky road The former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland footballer Ronnie Whelan and the Myasthenia Gravis Association are holding a fundraising walking challenge from April 29th to May 4th. (Whelan's daughter was diagnosed with the neuromuscular condition in 2005.) The challenge will cover four stages: the Western Way, the Slieve Bloom Mountains, St Kevin's Way and the coastal route from Greystones to Dublin. It costs €30 for one stage or €60 for two or more. 065-6838270, rockyroad.ie.
- fbradley@irishtimes.com