In reply to Everyone:
I really wish I could argue with all the people who have encountered access issues and angry farmers to say they are wrong and Ireland is a great place for walking/climbing.
The access issues here are infuriating and depressing.
There are wonderful hills here but many are difficult to impossible to get to as they cross farm land
The situation is particularly bad on the west coast, Cork, Kerry, Connemara, Sligo and, Donegal.
Mountaineering Ireland work hard at negotiating access but the farmers are usually not interested or downright hostile.
Failte Ireland , the tourist board, are stuck in an old mindset which was largely based on the Irish diaspora visiting with bulging wallets and wanting to 'do Ireland'. So they bus people to places , extract maximum coin from them and wait for them to feck off again. Rich Americans golfing is one of their favourites. When walking is mentioned they point to way-marked trails around the country which are usually 60-70% on roads, often main roads.
There is little political will to push for change as the agricultural industry is one of our key industries.
There was a minister a few years back who tried and was doing well before he was ousted.
On the plus side you often have the hills to yourself once you stray away from the well known areas.
I've found the locals much friendlier in places like the Galtees, the Knockmealdowns and the Comeraghs.
Even in the busier places, if you can find the local landowner and ask permission to cross the land they more often than not say OK.
I often despair , there are so many lovely places here its a shame so much is off limits.
I am , or was, a frequent visitor to England, Scotland and, Wales. The contrasting freedom to roam is so refreshing.
If anyone wants advice on walking in Ireland, where to go and where to avoid. Feel free to get in touch.