Women in the Outdoors 2026

Cork Sports Partnership with the support of Sport Ireland, Sport Ireland Outdoors, Mountaineering Ireland and the Women in Sport Initative have teamed up to roll out a new Women in the Outdoors Programme for females 18+. The aim of the programme is to support women in developing their leadership skills in the outdoors and increase confidence in supporting friends and or family members to have greater access to outdoor physical activity in a fun and supportive way. The course also seeks to create a pathway for women to further develop skills through other training and education or club development/support.

The programme will consist of a suite of workshops and training modules from September to November that will build the capacity of women to lead and encourage more outdoor activities. These workshops and training modules will have both a theory and practical element and will be delivered via online and face to face practical sessions.

Places on the programme are limited to 24.

The programme will contain the following modules. Attendance and participation is required for all:

• Mountain Skills 1 (practical) CERTIFIED by Mountaineering Ireland
• BushCraft Skills (practical)
• Sports First Aid (practical) CERTIFIED by ER Training
• Kayaking Paddle Start Award (practical) CERTIFIED by Ballyhass Outdoor Training Academy
• Community Walk Leader CERTIFIED by Get Ireland Walking

Modules are delivered across Cork city and County. Access to personal transport is important, however, as programme participants get to know each other carpooling is encouraged. 

Timetable:

• Sat Sept 19th - Paddlesports - (Mallow) 10am to 12pm
• Sat Sept 26th - Guided Walk for National Walking Week - (Mount Hillary, Mallow) 10am to 1pm (approx)
• Sun October 4th - Intro to Orienteering (Ballincollig) 10am to 12:30pm (approx)
• October 10th & 11th - Group 1 Mountain Skills 1 (Mitchelstown) x2 full days 9am to 5pm
• October 17th & 18th - Group 2 Mountain Skills 1 (Mitchelstown) x2 full days 9am to 5pm
• Sat October 24th - Bushcraft Skills (Kinsale) 10am to 2pm (approx)
• Sat November 7th - Sports First Aid (Sundays Well) 9:30am to 4:30pm (approx)
• Community Walk Leader Training (online)

Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) has two dates with a max of 12 participants per date. All other modules run with the full 24 participants.

Please purchase your ticket for Women in the Outdoors relevant to the date you can complete your MS1.

Both ticket dates are on a first come first served basis.

Every effort will be made not to change dates, however account of weather conditions will come into consideration.

Cost:

The programme is heavily subsided by the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Initative, Cork Sports Partnership and Mountaineering Ireland and is valued at €500. Participants will recieve accredited certification for some modules (see above) and a certificate of participation on completion of the programme. 

The cost of the programme is €100.

Criteria:

• Participants must be over 18 and have an interest in the outdoors
• No prior experience in outdoor activity is required, beginners welcome
• Commit to attending all course dates and engage in the programme
• Places are limited to 24