Tony Nation, Trekking Guide & Trainer

Tony's love for adventure has taken him to many regions of our planet,  he enjoys leading groups in Africa, Russia, Nepal and South America.

Like many of our adventure guides and trainers his passion is that of communication and instilling the culture of the places we visit to those that join in our our adventures and courses.

He is also one of our leading Irish guides with special knowledge in the Cork and Kerry hills and mountains.

He is a father of  four Sean, Damien, Sara and Timothy and from a very early age to instill adventure to his children became involved with his wife Mary as a leading light in Scouting Ireland, giving of his time voluntary for over 20 years to promote the adventurous spirit in children.

He is a County Commissioner for Cork South and heavily involved in training new Leaders and delivering Mountain Skills training to all Leaders and Scouters.

Tony is a good story teller, has a passion for the outdoors, enjoys good food and after a hard day on the hills a few pints in good atmosphere.

Tony is also a manager/trainer in our Health, Safety and team-building Corporate division

Let us introduce you to Tony in a short video

Pat was a guest speaker at the Launch of the new discovery series of maps for Ireland brought out buy the Ordance Survey of Ireland.

Covering the whole island of Ireland, the series includes 92 individual maps and are specifically designed for tourist and leisure activities. Seventy-five are published by Osi and 17 by Ordnance Survey Northern Ireland.

Pat Falvey, gave a 60 minute inspirational talk pre lunch entitled ‘From Carrantuohill to Everest.’ He underlined how important accurate and high quality mapping is in ensuring safe navigation in wilderness areas. Pat spoke to a packed audience of groups and associations representing outdoor pursuits, including the Irish Mountain Rescue Association, the Irish Ramblers Club, the Walkers Association of Ireland, Scouting Ireland, Failte Ireland, and the National Parks & Wildlife Service as well as many corporate companies from the public and private sector.

Also speaking at the launch, Minister Hanafin said: “I am delighted that Ordnance Survey Ireland produces these superb maps – both for our tourists and for the general public. The Discovery Series reflects the rich natural heritage we have in Ireland. I would encourage everyone to use these maps to explore our unique and world renowned landscape.”

Ms Geraldine Ruane, Chief Executive of OSi said: “We wanted to ensure that our Discovery Series included every feature and detail that these organisations would need in our maps. Our commitment to quality and accuracy is regarded as a benchmark by all mapping agencies in the world. The Discovery Series is our most popular map series and we are always pleased with the fantastic feedback we receive from our customers. Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland tell us that the Discovery Series plays an important role in attracting tourists to visit Ireland”.

At the launch, OSi also showcased their extensive range of digital mapping technology which is provided to a wide range of Corporate, Government and SME customers. Details of OSi mapping technology can be seen on the OSi website www.osi.ie.

International company GSK David Pulman's Presidents forum, (Global Manufacturing And Supply. GSM) gathered his International team in Cork for a three day team meeting. It was an event showing once again that Ireland is a great destination for International conferences. Team members came from America, Canada, Brazil, India, Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales and France.

Pat Falvey addressed the Presidents forum at a before dinner presentation at the historical Aula Maxima dinning room at University College Cork.  Over 65 key personal from around the world flew into Cork for a three day conference which was held in the beautiful Hayfield Manor five star hotel.

Pats key note address was on Leadership, our ability to succeed in a changing world and how with a belief, a focus and desire that as a team we can all conquer our own mountains and achieve our Everest.

Recently on the 8th May we guided a mens gaelic football team from Clare called Shannon Gaels, from the parishes of Kilmurry McMahon and Labasheeda up Corran Tuathail. They are an ambitious and positive team and they are the in form team in Clare football. They have won all the way up: U12 to U21A titles and intermediate. Tomás Madigan who is an ex player organised the weekend for the team as part of a program set out by www.sportsai.ie

The weather was great, a little chilly in the morning but fine and bright. We started well and the team looked like they were up for it although some a little tired following a hard training session from ex-Kerry star Seamus Moynihan in St. Brendans College, Killarney the night before. With 20+ heading out the track toward the Hags Glen from Lislebane, the group were fit and a pleasure to lead even at this stage. Following an introduction to the Reeks by Pat, we heading uphill towards Br. O'Sheas gully.

The pace was steady and quick. Plenty of craic along the way, we crested the top of O'Sheas to stunning views which the lads were taken back by. The last section was as always tough but worth it when you get your first views of the cross on the summit. After a couple of minutes at the summit admiring the scenery and a quick photo, we headed down to the ladder. Footwear is very important and one or two of the lads shoes weren't great hindering them now on the way down. The Devils ladder was interesting as usual to descend, Dave Roche discussed the safety before we went, the views of the track home clear as day below. With a ferry to catch in Tarbert the lads were back in Lislebane at 4.30pm, thrown on the ground beside the bus after a hard 2 days overall. The day was excellent and the group were great craic.

Best of luck to the team going forward: Damian O’Neill, Eugene O’Neill, Michael Coughlan, Tomás Madigan, Michael O’Donoghue, Shane Tubridy, Martin Tubridy, Fergal Kenny, John Bermingham, Declan Power, Brian Bermingham, Brendan Cleary, Peter O’Connell, Michael Crehan and Pádraig Neylon.

Guides: Pat Falvey, Dave Roche, Niall Foley and Lorraine Gordon.

Report by Niall Foley

On Saturday 29^th of may a group of 41 staff and family members from the AIB Cork region arrived to Kerry to undertake the challenge of climbing Ireland's highest mountain, Corran Tuathail with Pat Falvey.

The weather was good even though the forecast was bad for the day. To the delight of the group all of the team reached the summit by the picturesque route of Coimin Uachtar and Brother O Sheas Gully.

The return climb to the summit took six and a half hours.

Full set of pictures of the day or on AIB Social Club gallery