18 Feb 2021 – We’re delighted to announce that Bren Whelan, popular mountain leader based in Muff, Co. Donegal, has taken up the role of training co-ordinator for the Inishowen Rivers Guardians Programme…..
Recently the Inishowen Rivers Trust secured funding from Rethink Ireland to deliver a new Inishowen River Guardians Training Programme for 2021. This funding has enabled us to engage a Training Co-ordinator to develop an exciting new schedule for the year.
We’re delighted that Bren has taken up the role and can bring his extensive experience to the programme. Bren Whelan has spent many years working in the outdoor industry as a Mountaineering Instructor (WMCI), and International Mountain Leader (IML). He is a senior trainer and assessor for Mountaineering Ireland approved rock climbing, hill walking and mountain leadership courses.
Over the last decade, Bren has worked as a Leave No Trace Advanced Trainer on behalf of Leave No Trace Ireland and the Marine Institute of Ireland, delivering environmental education training in schools across Donegal. He has completed a BA (Hons) in Adventure Facilitation & Education and a MSc in International Business. Bren is also a part time PhD researcher at the Ulster University School of Business. His research is focusing on Adventure and Activity Tourism businesses along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. He is originally from Dublin but has been living and working in Inishowen for nearly 15 years.
In 2019 when the Trust ran the first phase of the River Guardians programme it was pre-Covid (remember those days?) and we were able to run the courses as normal with indoor and outdoor settings. This time round we are dealing with travel and gathering restrictions and have to be more creative about how the courses are delivered. Our approach will be a combination of online classes, instructional video and outdoor sessions if permissable. We’re looking forward to meeting new facilitators and learning more from their expert knowledge.
The programme is due to begin in April so keep an eye out on our Facebook page for posts and registration details. You can be the first to hear by registering your interest with us today.
Contact Us here or email Bren directly on [email protected]
Funded by Rethink Ireland under their Innovate Together Award 2020 (#InnovateTogether), supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund, and corporate partners including the Z Zurich Foundation, Oakfield Trust, Medtronic and Twitter
