About Us

Clare, the owner and founder of Real Adventures Connemara, has dedicated her life to sharing the beauty of the outdoors. Originally from the UK, her passion for adventure began at a young age, racing dinghies with her dad in her hometown of Rochdale. However, it was the school trips to the French Alps that truly ignited her love for outdoor pursuits. Inspired by these experiences, she spent a summer living and working in a small mountain village, cementing her desire to pursue a career in outdoor education.

Clare went on to study Outdoor Education at Bicton College in Devon, South West England, laying the foundation for a career that has taken her across the globe. From leading walking expeditions in Africa to guiding sea kayaking tours in Australia, climbing in Spain, and river trips in France, Clare has amassed a wealth of experience in adventure tourism.

In 2003, she arrived in Connemara and instantly fell in love with its stunning landscapes, welcoming people, and endless opportunities for outdoor activities. After working with several adventure companies in the region, Clare decided to settle in Connemara, and in 2012, Real Adventures Connemara was born.

While surfing remains her greatest passion, Clare is also involved in a variety of activities, including white water kayaking, hiking, climbing, coasteering, and biking. Her love for adventure fuels her commitment to providing memorable, high-quality experiences for every guest.

“My top priority at Real Adventures is ensuring that everyone who visits us in Connemara leaves with an unforgettable experience.”

Stevie has been working in the outdoor industry for 27 years. He is in love with everything outdoors and is 100% dedicated to giving others the opportunity to experience the outdoors whether he is working or not. He is an extremely talented individual and has tried nearly every outdoor sport there is on offer and has represented the Northern Ireland surf kayak team. He has spent many years training aspiring instructors as well being in various management roles in some of Irelands premiere activity centres. He’s also extremely good at making the tea!

What is your favourite activity to teach?
Kayaking as it gives the simple skills to go on big adventures on the sea.

What do you do now the season has come to a close?
Drink tea, Look forward to skiing and discovering new mountains around the world

What activities do you do in your own time for fun?
Drink tea, ski, climb, beat out some tunes on my bodhran;

What’s your greatest memory of being in the outdoors?
My greatest memory is skiing off the top of mountains and making it back safe for a beer

What is your most miserable memory?
My most miserable memory was being eaten alive by midgies camping in scotland for 5 days;

What has been your scariest moment in the outdoors?
My scariest moment was probably swimming my first river , I found my kayak two days later….

What is your favourite activity to teach?
Coasteering, no two sessions are the same even if they are back to back, the Connemara weather and North Atlantic ocean is always changing so as an instructor you are always kept on your toes, this makes every session fun and unique. Plus, young or old, it’s something that a lot of people haven’t experienced before and helping them find the confidence to (willingly!) throw themselves off cliffs or swim through caves is extremely rewarding.

A close second would be Stand Up Paddleboarding, on the right day there is nothing like a paddle around the beautiful Mannin bay and there is always lots to see when we snorkel. It teems with aquatic life large and small and we usually have a inquisitive seal pup or two following behind us.

What do you do now the season has come to a close?
Catch up on some much needed rest! Actually my work life is not too different to my home life, you’ll still find me on, in or under the water when I’m on my own time, the sea runs through my veins.

What is your connection to Connemara?
Born and raised free range Connemara man, from probably two of the largest local families in Renvyle! Been around the world but i have to agree with Dorothy when she says “there’s no place like home” and it’s great to share all that I love about my area with our guests.

What activities do you do in your own time for fun?
Surf, surf, surf, freedive, swim and fish. If its not salty, I don’t want to know about it!

What’s your greatest memory of being in the outdoors?
I’m very grateful to say that honestly there have been so many it’s hard to pick one out. Any day you step outside your door to the west coast of Ireland any number of things can happen, from surfing with dolphins, to catching odd looking creatures or maybe something as simple as getting a tasty treat for dinner. Its all good.

What is your most miserable memory?
Taking a wetsuit thats been frozen over the cloths line and putting it on. Still gives me nightmares!

What has been your scariest moment in the outdoors?
Getting a double wave hold down on a very heavy wave while bodyboarding in Chile, just managed to pop up and get a breath before taking another 3/4 waves on the head. Not a nice situation but things like that are a great learning experience so you can help to avoid anyone else getting such a scare. But bad experiences always make the best stories!