Lee Valley Walking

Small group guided walks in South West Ireland

Catherine Ketch, a historical geographer, founded Lee Valley Walking in 1999 to provide a small group guided walking service in the West Cork region of the Lee Valley, Muscrai Gaeltacht and Macroom.

She studied geography, archaelogy, Irish and English in foundation year at University College Cork, taking a BA in Geography and English and a Masters Degree in Historical Geography. Later completed the Certificate in Field Ecology also at UCC.

She edited the Earthwatch Magazine - Freinds of the Earth Ireland - before moving to Macroom to set up the community newspaper the Lee Valley News. From 2000 she worked as a freelance journalist and photographer contributing to a range of regional and national newspapers, all the while maintaining her special interest in rural, environmental and heritage issues.

Since 2015 Catherine has concentrated on guided walking tours and the type of photography she really loves - wild landscapes, nature and our ancient past. Her work is available through a variety of craft and specialised shops in the south west.

Catherine draws on both her own expertise and that of other specialists in the locality to provide accurate, interesting and entertaining information to those walking in South West Ireland.

The aim of Lee Valley Walking is both to encourage an interest in walking in the local area and to provide a quality service for visitors.

Specialising in relaxed walking, suitable for all levels from complete beginners, many participants have taken their interest further to join mountaineering clubs but still return to enjoy the relaxed and informal pace with Lee Valley Walking.

• Heritage specialist with the Irish National Teachers Organisation/Irish Heritage Council 'Heritage in the Schools Programme' providing workshops and field trips for national school children.
• Member of Coiste O Suilleabhain Beara which developed the Ballyvourney leg of the Beara Breifne Way. The Way stretches from Castletownbere in West Cork to Briefne in Co Leitrim and commemorates the long march of O Suilleabhain Bere from his ancestral home to safety.
• Member of the Lee Valley Tourism Network set up to link tourism operators in the Lee Valley, Muscrai Gaeltacht and Macroom to further develop this area as a quality destination.