HILLWALKING FOR HEALTH IN IRELAND
Many Key West Island Gym members are familiar with the enchanting beauty of Ireland with it's unique charm, artistry and splendor. Some members are regular visitors and also part time residents enjoying the surfing, sailing, fishing, the arts and even a pint or two of Guinness. When planning your vacation getaway this year you may want to try the south west, the south west of Ireland that is. You may be concerned about the climate in the Emerald Isle but it is my experience that even a rainy day in Ireland cannot prevent it's magnificent beauty from shining through.
One of the best ways to experience the allure of the south west of Ireland is hillwalking. As well as discovering Ireland, hillwalking will also give you "glutes of stone" to match your "abs of steel" of course. Anything you eat is immediately burned off and what a great way to add some cross training into your fitness routine.
There are many fine hillwalking clubs to choose from in the south west but I chose the warm and welcoming Cork Hillwalkers who happened to be gay. This club challenges and conquers some of the highest and most dangerous peaks in Ireland as well as the less challenging ones. The organizers have decades of mountaineering and hillwalking experience between them, Tony Doherty being a respected writer on the subject for the Irish Times Newspaper. Check out their website for information on www.corkgayhillwalkers.com where you can also view an extensive library of scenic photographs taken mostly by the talented and charming Paul Sheehan.
When hillwalking in Ireland you will experience captivating and remote places charged with mystical ambiance. The mountains, lakes, waterfalls, beach and coastal views are truly breathtaking. You will meet friendly and curious people and you may even pick up a few words of gailic [gaeilge] the native language of Ireland, as many of the climbs take place in the traditional Irish speaking areas.
Unknown to many, a variety of subtropical plants found in Key West can also be found in the south west of Ireland and the many palm trees that thrive here are also an unexpected surprise. This is due to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream arriving like a gift to the waters of the south west of Ireland.
From Key West, the southernmost island city of the U.S.A. located in the Carribean Basin to Cork the "Rebel County"and Kerry the "Kingdom County" located in the south west of Ireland you will experience true natural beauty, a warm welcome, as well as a breathtaking enjoyable workout.
Slan go foill.......................Goodbye for now
Key West Island Gym 1119 White Street is holding a raffle in an effort to aid in the clean up of Gulf Coast Wildlife. The Island Gym is raffling TWO ONE YEAR MEMBERSHIPS, tickets are $5.00 each and all of the proceeds will go to the National Wildlife Federation's Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund. 
