Wildcamping on Inis Mór / Inishmore, Aran Islands. Two Bikes and Two Tents, with Miriam Kennedy.

[@loz1317]

Total work of art those walls. Beautiful place. Mind your knee Donna walking on those stones.

[@donnavansenior]

Inis Mor exceeded all expectations Louise, what a place! And I'll be back, I still have some of the island I want to see. Ireland on the whole was simply amazing and I'll be returning next year that's for sure 😁😎💚

[@craig3401]

Looks like you both had a great time and some smashing weather as well 👍

[@donnavansenior]

Hit really lucky with the weather Craig, it was el scorchio! The island was rammed full with cyclists, it was great - and yip, we had quite the acceptable weekend over there, and it was lovely to meet Miriam in person 😁

[@DaveandBuddyOutdoors]

Wow, Donna. I think you out-did yourself with this one. Absolutely gorgeous views, captured perfectly, and not forgetting the music too.. "No drone flying here".. 🙃 Pfft, 🤣🤣🤣 (I'd say I can't read! 😂) I'd like to imagine Miriam did her best efforts to stop you.. 🤣. And a teen approaching? Very brave of them.. I'd of booted them off.. 😉😆 (I joke.. maybe.. 😉) Honestly Donna, this was Wonderful. I picture you and Miriam as "sisters from different Misters" 😆 Northern Ireland will always hold a special place in my heart (I may have said, it's where my Nan was from, - who passed back in April) however, I've not been since I was 10 (we went over on my 10th birthday, I still remember most of the holiday, we even visited the Giants Causeway - as you did on the previous vid) You captured it's beauty for sure👌 I also want to apologise, for not commenting on every video of late, the old "black dog" is bothering me again (no, I don't mean Bud - he's grand) and I'm finding it very hard to find the right words to comment, (I don't like to just put "thank you for sharing"*, I like to add abit more (as you may have noticed) but I want you to know I'm still here, watching. Thank you for sharing your adventure.. *😅 Take care All the best D & B 👍

[@donnavansenior]

Hya Dave and Buddy 😁😁 that comment has put a rather large smile on my face, so thanks for that, on this grim mawnin' up nawth 🌧️🌧️⛈️ it's that grim I'm not gonna bother heading out today. Urgh. But this trip to Inis Mor was the absolute best, what a place! And made even more special by heading over there with Miriam, it was great to meet her in person, with bikes and tents at the ready - 2 partners in crime on this one haha, with angelic faces when that teenage guard bobbed over from her wee security hut 😂😂 Every part of Ireland that I visited was amazing, I didn't have one bad experience, or day that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. You still have good memories from there as a child, and rightly so, I bet seeing the Giants Causeway at age 10 must have left a great impression on you. Your nan must have had a lovely accent as well 💚 fond memories for us both regarding Ireland Dave. I hope your dark mists clear up, and please don't worry about not commenting on every video. I'm the same with other YT vids, I'll watch, thumbs up, but sometimes I struggle for words and time to leave nice comments. Take it easy, give Bud a tickle from me X

[@soletrail]

New sub from me Donna. Sent here Miriam and I'm glad she did. What an incredible camp. 🎉

[@donnavansenior]

Ah nice one Soletrail - thanks for the sub and great to hear you enjoyed the vid. Inis Mor is some island! Wow! I remember watching Miriam's video last year and thinking I had to see this place for myself, so to end up heading over there with her for a couple of nights camping was the icing on the cake, and an excellent weekend was had. I'll be back to Ireland next year, that's for sure, what an amazing country you have ✨💚

[@david_v2.1]

What a mind-blowing landscape but jeez ya wouldn't want to be wandering around there in a thick fog with blowholes ready to devour you!

[@donnavansenior]

It's an absolute gem of a place David 💚 the landscape is amazing, so much barren rock, and all the dry stone walls covering the whole island, then the amazing forts and the mad blow holes, I loved it! And I'll no doubt head back over next year to explore a bit more. Definitely somewhere to watch where you put your feet though 😂

[@DerekHolmes-dj2kv]

That was great Donna, you captured the essence of the island while you were there, especially with the sometimes naughty drone ! 😎 And good choice of tour guide too , you lucked out there ... as did I ! 😉 Keep having fun !

[@donnavansenior]

Morning Derek, good to hear from you, and I'm pleased you enjoyed the video😁 My weekend on Inis Mor - and meeting up with Miriam - is firmly my favourite wee adventure of 2024. What a place! And a fabulous tour guide she was, as well as great company... even if I did get a gentle telling off from the teenage security guard of Dún Aonghasa 😂😂 Great memories indeed from Inis Mor, lots of laughs, tents, bikes and great weather - I'll definitely be returning. 😁🚴🏼‍♀️🏕️

[@LundysWildcampBushcraft]

Donna that was one of my favourite video's you have done what a fantastic place to explore with a great tour guide great drone footage cheeky 😅 glad the weather is going well not the best weather on my family camping holiday but still great fun atvb Jimmy 😎😎👍👍

[@donnavansenior]

That's a really nice compliment, thanks Jimmy. I took a lot of hours editing this one over 3 nights. When I'm out with other people I often don't take much video, but I knew I wanted to make this into a YT upload. What an amazing place! And great to meet up with Miriam after knowing each other through YT for quite a while, she made for the perfect island guide as well 😁My favourite weekend of the year by far, I was itching to see Inis Mor in real life. Weather looks totes pants for you today Jimmy if you're still out with the family - but whatever, I'm sure you'll still have a good time :)

[@LundysWildcampBushcraft]

@@donnavansenior ye it's been windy up is St Abbs but had a fantastic day. Heading back to the camp site now for a few 🥃🥃🤪 weather is looking good for the last 3 days 👍 will see about sorting out a bike camp with you will pm you

[@donnavansenior]

@@LundysWildcampBushcraft Defo Jimmy, I'll look forward to a bike camp. Great that the weather is looking a bit better for your last few days, enjoy your shandies 😁🍻

[@sarahblakemore2559]

I think you are definitely allowed to say 'flippin wow' to that place Donna...in fact I would have said something much stronger. Utterly amazing drone shots, especially of the forbidden hill fort. I really can't believe a drone would harm the archaeology....but maybe it was to reduce disturbance to sea birds potentially nesting on the cliffs below. It's all just so 'Craggy Island', I had the Father Ted theme i my head whilst watching it. Great video-many thanks-yet another place to add to my bucket list. Xx

[@donnavansenior]

Tell you what Sarah, you'd love this place - there are 3 Aran Islands, this is the largest of them, I also camped on the middle one - and the island I've yet to do is where they actually filmed Father Ted! Haha! If I'd known that when I was over there I'd have done that one as well. They are most definitely Craggy Islands, and I loved them 💚 flipping wow ✨ I think with regards to the drones, we knew we could wing it because we were up there later in the day after most people had left. But if several people were up there flying it could be quite dangerous with take-offs and landings, and people watching the drones and walking off the cliff edges 😂😂 An utterly fantastic weekend Sarah, it felt a bit weird not being out on Sami, but just as well, as the ferries won't transport electric bikes to those islands, they're too heavy for lifting on and off the boats. Xx

[@sarahblakemore2559]

@donnavansenior well you wouldnt really want to take an ebike on holiday anyway unless you were in a fixed place with guaranteed electricity supply. I'm sure Sami forgives you. Thanks again for the video Donna, it has inspired me to maybe actually visit the west coast of Ireland rather than just saying like I have for 30 years how I would like to visit. Take care.

[@donnavansenior]

@@sarahblakemore2559 Get it done Sarah 😁 get booked up...

[@damianmcdonagh7908]

Fabulous footage, many thanks for posting. My paternal grandfather hailed from Inis Mór. I honestly prefer Inis Meáin. Dún Dúchathair/Black Fort is spectacular. On the left-hand-side at 27:48 is the old Protestant church.

[@JustTheGals]

Amazing views !!! Id love to visit myself sometime soon!!! Great video guys !

[@donnavansenior]

Thanks for watching the vid and taking the time to leave a comment. It is indeed an amazing place, and you should definitely go there one day, I'm sure you'd love it as much as we did ✨💚

[@alanrobertson5497]

I follow Miriam's channel, nice to see both of yous enjoying the west. Love watching ❤❤

[@donnavansenior]

Aw, nice one Alan, thanks for popping by! Miriam and myself have been watching each others video's for quite a while now, so it was just like meeting up with an old friend, and a cracking good weekend was had - and she's quite a canny tour guide 😁🚴🏼‍♀🏕

[@lindykitsch]

What a beautiful video. Donna. The Aran Islands are such a big part of my childhood and teenage years and you've captured so much of the feeling I remember. Watching your gorgeous footage, it felt to me like you love it just as much as I do. You've done the island proud. Beautiful music too. I'm friends with Miriam amd she introduced me to your channel. I cant believe she made you schlep all the equipment and do the filming! Well done. I loved it. Thank you! Come back soon!

[@donnavansenior]

That's a lovely comment, thanks Lindy 😁 The Islands indeed hold a large chunk of my heart now, and I have nothing but great memories from the two I visited. I've yet to edit the Inis Meáin video, but it was another fantastic experience to be over there (solo this time) having an explore and just soaking up the solitude and beauty of the island - which was in total contrast to this trip to Inis Mor with Miriam, where the sun was shining, and the island was rammed full with visitors - mostly on bikes. We couldn't have asked for a better weekend, and it was great to meet Miriam in person, and get out on the bikes exploring, with two cracking good camps thrown in as well. Lots of laughs and nothing but the best memories 🚴🏼‍♀️💚🏕️

[@linconocyrus]

Wow! What a place, thanks for showing us round, go girls 👍😁

[@donnavansenior]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment 😁 we had a great weekend, Inis Mor is an great island to explore, and it's even better to spend a few nights out camping on that amazing landscape 💚🏕

[@otf.outdoors]

Another fantastic looking place Donna, and some great pitching spots 👌⛺️, definitely wouldn’t be going near them huge holes after a few drinks 🤣, great drone footage too 🤫🤭🤣, spot on Donna, great watch, atb Mick 👍

[@donnavansenior]

Definitely my favourite weekend of 2024 Mick, what a place Inis Mor is! Wow!! And great to meet up with Miriam. Two excellent pitches, a nice explore on the bikes and plenty of laughs. But yeah, I wouldn't want to be wandering near those blow holes after a stiff shandy 😂😂

[@canyonhaverfield2201]

What a delightful joy to spit this fresh share from you two! I had merely minutes ago posted my letter wishing you my best & gratitude for your long ago share from the Sheep Head Peninsula along Cork County. So Im stoked to see you alive & well....Lets stay in touch ! My name is Canyon..keep trucking Mariam !

[@donnavansenior]

Hya Canyon, Miriam is indeed alive and well lol, but this isn't her channel - her channel is a bit more professional, I was just out camping and cycling with her when I was over in Ireland a few weeks ago. I watched her Sheep's Head Peninsula video as well, a very heartfelt video, and as always beautifully filmed. I hope you enjoyed this little video of our cycling road trip to Inis Mor, what a stunning place to visit! 😎🚴🏼‍♀️💚

[@sam.midford]

Aw what an ace video, I am so jealous! I've always wanted to go to that fort!. Looked like you had a great laugh with Miriam, I really enjoyed watching the pair of you biking around Inis mor 😊. Thanks for risking a bollocking from a teenager, the drone footage was well worth it 😅.

[@donnavansenior]

Thanks for the nice comment Sam 😁 Yeah we had a good laugh together, and enjoyed being outdoors with the bikes and tents for a few days, exploring stuff and just soaking up the island vibes. That fort was intense! I was super chuffed to get a few fly-by's with the drone before the teenager caught me - damn those pesky kids!! 😂 TFW :)

[@MiriamKennedy]

Lovely memories Donna! 😊 Great company, laughs and chats and some surprising things in common 😲 Thanks for your great company and it was such fun to explore the lovely Inis Mór with you 😎❤️ You’ve done it proud with your video!! 🎯

[@donnavansenior]

Right back 'atcha Miriam, great memories indeed, and a surprising amount of things in common 🙄😂 plus I had the luxury of the best Island guide as well, so thank you for that 💚 What a fantastic few days over on Inis Mór, the weather, company, bikes, tents and laughs - not to mention the stray cats - that's something I'll never forget X

[@uffo200]

Wow, flippin' wow. What amazing rock formations. Thank you I enjoyed that.

[@donnavansenior]

Wow, flipping Wow....that should be my new channel name 😂 I knew Inis Mór was going to be special, but it surpassed all expectations 💚

[@macinthewild8116]

Stunning location ! Another great adventure!

[@donnavansenior]

Cheers Mac, I was itching to see this place in real life after watching Miriam's video from last year, and it certainly didn't disappoint. It was a great weekend, best of the year 😁💚

[@999shaznay]

Simply wonderful! Amazing how you and Miriam look so similar in the closing shot.

[@donnavansenior]

I'm the lightweight in the closing shot, just learning how to deal with sea sickness 😂 but yeah, we're definitely kindred souls me and Miriam, plenty in common and just love the outdoors X

[@jimmy.mccutcheon.1961]

Wow 😮.. Nice one Donna 😉👍

[@donnavansenior]

Some place this ay Jimmy? Flipping WOW!!! And to have such great weather, and to get the tfm up where we shouldn't have, and a couple of excellent camps in - as well as meeting up with Miriam, it's been my favourite weekend this year by far 😁💚🚴🏼‍♀

[@hikermikem8]

😲😲😁👍 That was just awesome donna.. Amazing pitches, fantastic views, great work with TFM 👍 A destination you'll definatley have to go back to and explore more 😁 I can't understand why more people don't go to the green isle.. Simply Stunning.. 😁 cracking video you two 😁👍

[@donnavansenior]

I can't believe how utterly amazing Ireland was, I'm so pleased I decided to head over there for my big hols, and as usual with me it was pretty much last minute-ish Mike, I only booked the ferries a few weeks prior to setting off. As soon as I docked in Larne I knew I was somewhere special. The whole trip was brilliant, even crippled with a bad back for 5 days didn't stop me enjoying the scenery and having some amazing van park-ups. Great to meet up with Sandra for that first camp, then to meet up with Miriam and have a few days on Inis Mor was the icing on the cake after such a weird year. Xx

[@hikermikem8]

@donnavansenior It came accross clearly how much you where loving the trip and holiday 😁 I've never really given Ireland much thought regarding hiking wildcamping etc.. But after seeing your trips, the scenery, peace and quite and the folk you meet along the way.. I'm re thinking about Ireland I a different way now and a possible destination for the future 😁 As always, thanks for sharing your trips , wildcamps and the vancamps dvs x 😁 like me donna, I'm always leaving it to the last minute to 1 make my mind up 2 finally get things booked 🤣😁 Takecare, see you on the next one 🤗

[@colinmarsh5955]

Looks like you've been doing a fair bit of exploring and being naughty with your drone 😂😂. Keep up the good work .

[@donnavansenior]

😂😂 Nothing ventured nothing gained Colin - plus we knew the fort would be getting quieter with tourists as this was quite late in the day, so well worth the risk - and the gentle telling off 🙄😂 What a place to visit and have a few camps on! Wow!! And best viewed from the air to take in the rugged beauty of the place - plus the Kuiu looked right at home there ;-)

[@colinmarsh5955]

@@donnavansenior the kuiu tents look damn good anywhere 😁. I've been neglecting my other tent since I got my two kuius so I'm going to have to make a point of taking that one on my next outing.

[@Ericd-j9g]

Fantastic!!!!

[@donnavansenior]

Wasn't it just 😁 It's an amazing place,Inis Mor 💚

[@catherineweaver9302]

Yoohoo...only me...cracking awesome place...ENVYYYYYYY.....watch where you place them ginorm' hooves of yours or that'll be a bust ankle..OOPS....llama_ladee_anny👍

[@donnavansenior]

Hya Llama Annie 😁 yeah, what an absolute stunner of an island! Even better than expected - and the glorious weather was an added bonus. Two fantastic camps and excellent to be out with Miriam, she's not a bad tour guide 😎 lol.

[@catherineweaver9302]

@@donnavansenior hope Miriams ('Post Donna trip') recovery going well....(always takes me a few days also...!!!)

[@RamblingRuth]

That fort was incredible but those kids sitting right on the edge gave me the right heebie-jeebies! Yikes. Another great video Donna. Glad you had both great weather and Miriam to make it truly memorable.

[@donnavansenior]

@@RamblingRuth It was a mum and her daughter sitting right on the edge, mind blowing how reckless some people can be 😬 and here's me getting told off for flying the tfm Ruth 😂 A truly memorable few days over on Inis Mor, that's for sure, and a nice way to sort of end summer, great weather and excellent to be out with Miriam, I've watched her vids for a few years now, so it was great to meet up - plus I got a turn on her Brompton 😁✨ Xx

[@thegeordiefellwalker8878]

looked like a fantastic laid back adventure Donna 👌pleased you got the weather ☀️ & good company. result 🚴⛺👍

[@donnavansenior]

Yeah we had a cracking good weekend Geordie, and great that the weather was almost tropical as well!! The island was rammed full of cyclists on the Friday and Saturday, plus there was a big wedding going on as well, even the ferry over there was rammed full. So it was great to be out with Miriam, who knows the island double well, to get away from the crowds to pitch up. Two excellent pitches as well. Best weekend of the year :)

[@BorderRambler]

Bloody hell Donna what a place , you certainly made the most of your trip. With your expert guide to the area in Miriam 👍👍 and you had no e-power on this one 😂 did you like the Brompton then ? Another great adventure , but expect a call from the drone police lol atb Dave ⛺️🚲👍

[@donnavansenior]

Haha, drone fugitives, that's us...Miriam made me do it 🙄😂 what a place though! And definitely best viewed from above just to appreciate the madness of it. It's a work of art, the whole island was amazing Dave. And yeah I liked the Brompton, I just had a quick turn, but I love how it's so portable and easily stashable.....but I have no need for another bike, but we'll see lol😉 I didn't miss the e-power tbh, the Carrera is so much lighter than the Cube and it's better for taking on longer trips. Cheers Dave :)

[@procha7594]

Blues, rocks, and sea - eternal !!! 👍✌

[@donnavansenior]

A fantastic weekend over on Inis Mor Procha, the music seemed to sit nice with the tone of the video, I like upbeat blues. What a great island for exploring, it exceeded all expectations :)

[@Mountain-Mac]

13:37 Love the drone shots here! Takes some courage to fly below a cliff like that & it paid off 🫡 I’m glad Miriam recommended this video, I enjoy her content & am quite fond of a Geordie accent too. 😉

[@donnavansenior]

I've been getting braver and braver with the TFM (tiny flying machine..) it's only a DJI Mini 2, so quite an older model, but it still takes great footage. I'm looking to upgrade in the near future. Appreciate the comment about the cliff footage, it certainly does get the old heart pumping when it's out of sight like that 😬😅 Thanks for watching Mac, I'll have a look at your channel on the 'auld big tv this evening :)

[@Mountain-Mac]

@@donnavansenior The fear is real! I lost my Mavic Air 2 back in February after a winter camp on a Sligo Mountain (RIP) But I’m happy to have been able to use the last thing it ever recorded on my recent upload of Sligo/Leitrim hiking.. I never recovered that drone.. but was able to download the low res preview & share that. Can’t imaging not having a drone with me, so now I’m rocking the Air 3 & love it. Edit: No shame in the older DJI drones, I’d still be using the Air 2 had it not abandoned me. They are phenomenal tech.

[@donnavansenior]

@@Mountain-Mac Is it true that the newer drones have height limited to 120m? Whereas the older versions can be set to go higher, which I've done a few times (and I know it isn't legal...) Sorry to hear about the sad demise of your Air 2, but good that you had the final shooting moments of it. I'll watch that vid tonight :)

[@Mountain-Mac]

That height restriction of 120m is absolutely real & I wouldn’t be surprised if DJI decided to kill my Air 2 to make me replace it with a restricted version. A lot of the shots I recorded of mountains in the past would not be possible with the new restriction. I’ve learned to live with it.. since I normally wait till I’m at the top of a mountain before I take off (giving me a reasonable amount of height) Still… If the older versions don’t enforce this restriction then enjoy it while you can! It’s not like we’re flying after airports or anything stupid.. mountains deserve to be filmed with drones!