Out & About Hiking is a Dublin-based hiking group founded by and made up of members of the Irish and international LGBTQ+ community.
Since 1989, the group has brought together members of the LGBTQ+ community around a common interest outside the space of pubs and nightclubs. Offering an alternative to nightlife, Out & About has forged strong friendships between its members and even resulted in a marriage or two.
Band member David Caron, who has been hiking with Out & About since 1999, told Dublin Live exactly what the band does and what the members love about it.
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He explained: “Our age range goes from around 20 to 70 years old. There is also a strong international dimension. We are always very happy to have people join us even if they are only in the country for the weekend.”
(Image: Hiking)
David revealed that the group is in fact the oldest established social/sporting activity group in the Irish LGBTQ+ community and has meant a lot to its members since its inception over 30 years ago.
He said: “I think it’s really important to have an alternative to nightlife for the LGBTQ+ community. It’s an outdoor activity that mixes exercise, fresh air and a high degree of sociability. You You can be in the company of the group for maybe six hours If there are twenty or thirty hikers that day, you can strike up as many conversations.
“Many lasting friendships have emerged and we have had couples who met through Out & About and got married.”
(Image: Hiking)
(Image: Hiking)
He added: “We also have social events independent of hiking. It could be going to the cinema, to the castle, going out for meals.
“During the summer months we have rides on Thursday evenings and they are all operated by major public transport.”
As well as regular treks at paces like County Wicklow and County Louth, the group occasionally ventures into Central Europe and Scotland for trips.
Speaking about what made him join Out & About Hiking, David revealed that he was looking for an LGBTQ+ activity club.
(Image: Hiking)
(Image: Hiking)
He explained, “I’ve always been super active. I went on my first hike and absolutely loved it. It’s a huge part of my social life and most of my closest LGBTQ+ friends are people I met in the group.
“There is a very strong sense of community within the club. It is a very important club for many of our members and they feel part of it.
“All kinds of backgrounds and ages are welcome. You can talk to someone who is in their 20s or 70s and if they have that main activity in common.
“The international dimension is very important to us. Often foreigners come to Ireland and they may not have been out in their home country. There can be an element of discovering yourself here and looking to find a group welcoming but not We are inclusive and friendly and it is friendship that ties it all together.
Those wishing to join Out & About Hiking can find more information here.
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