There’s something about being outdoors that makes connection feel effortless. And in a world where it can be increasingly difficult to make real connections, something special happens when like-minded people put their digital devices down and come together in nature.
As useful as social media can be, nothing beats connecting with people the old-fashioned way.
Who says making friends as an adult has to be hard? Okay, it is hard. It can even feel daunting at times.
For the longest time, I found myself wondering why I wasn’t connecting with the right people, before realising two things: I wasn’t showing up as the real me for fear of being vulnerable and fear of rejection, and I was looking in the wrong places.
It is hard. But once you start showing up as your real self and showing up in places or activities that align with who you are or who you want to be, things begin to change. You realise how effortless meeting new people, when they are the right people, can be.
That’s exactly what happened when I pushed myself outside my comfort zone and attended the Wander Wild Festival in Killarney last April.
Unsure what the weekend would bring, I arrived in Killarney on my own for the festival, which invites people to step into a world of adventure and natural beauty.
I grew up hiking in the mountains there with my dad and sister, so I’m no stranger to the adrenaline-pumping adventures and natural beauty on offer in this part of the country.
But this time, it felt a little different. I was on my own. I wasn’t preparing ham and cheese rolls for the hike with my dad and my sister, or arguing with my sister about whose hiking socks are whose. This time, I was facing a weekend of adventure on my own, which was both nerve-racking and empowering.
I pre-booked the activities I wanted to take part in across the weekend, incorporating some adventure, relaxation, and mindfulness.
That’s the beauty of Wander Wild Festival: you can individually book the activities catering to your interests and tailor your day as you want.
After settling into my hotel, I popped down the town for food before getting ready for my first activity — a dark sky hike led by Kerry Astronomy Club and landscape photographer Goran Lončar, who made it a truly unique experience.
Donning our headtorches, we walked a short section of the Old Kenmare Road, passing by Torc Mountain, in search of some clear skies, learning all things night sky and astronomy along the way.
On this hike, I met the loveliest girl from Austin, Texas, who was on vacation here. We quickly bonded over our interests and similarities, and spent more time together over the weekend, which involved some Killarney pub-hopping, of course.
The next morning, I woke at the crack of dawn for a sunrise kayak on Lough Leane, where I sat in the two-person kayak with someone who was (initially) a stranger.
We soon realised how similar we were, sharing stories about life, travel, the future and everything in between, all while paddling around Inishfallen Island, the Coppermines and limestone caves.
Among all the adventure, there were various fireside chats taking place across the weekend, with artists, performers, and motivational speakers. I popped along to the session with mental health advocate Niall Breslin (Bressie) at Pig’s Lane, where a panel discussion delved into his work in mental health awareness and explored the country’s approach to mental wellbeing.
When I first arrived, alone, I felt a little anxious. It was a small space which was obviously packed out for Bressie, and there were groups of people enjoying a chat and a drink together before things kicked off.
But I brought myself out of my overthinking, remembered I was there to listen to a conversation about mental wellbeing, and realised there was a certain empowerment in showing up despite that anxiety.
That anxious feeling was soon melted away with a transformative soundbath led by Emma West, a sound healer who creates immersive sound healing experiences, at the festival’s Wellness Hub at Killarney House and Gardens.
It was my first soundbath experience, and I felt like I was floating on cloud nine after what I can only describe as a meditative journey.
An outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, the 26,000 acres of national parkland surrounding Killarney town ensures there were no shortages of walks to choose from in between festival activities, which meant sore muscles and a tired body, so I was glad that ‘past me’ thought of ‘future me’ and booked myself into a ‘hips 360’ yoga class, which focused on flexibility and mobility.
Another favourite was the shadow breathwork workshop with Keith Bradley, founder of Atlantic Breath. Bradley’s practice helped calm my mind, reduce stress, and encourage a state of deep relaxation.
Wander Wild did for me the two things that I hoped it would — it allowed me to connect with myself and connect with others.
The weekend left me feeling truly immersed in nature, reconnected with my own body, proud of myself for stepping outside my comfort zone, and confident that, even as an adult, I can make new connections.
Between the hikes, laughter, and shared moments, I was never really alone and left with new friends, sore muscles, and a full heart.
Wander Wild Festival returns to Killarney from April 17-19
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