Waterford man’s love of the outdoors leads to major national recognition

A Waterford man has been recognised for his milestone achievements in the great outdoors at a prestigious ceremony in Dublin.

Aidan Ennis from Waterford won the Outsider Man Of The Year 2024 Award, at the Annual Outsider Awards night on Thursday, February 27.

The event, which was held in Dublin’s, Sugar Club, was aimed at celebrating the amazing achievements, milestones, and contributions in the Irish outdoor community over the past year. The Outsider Man Of The Year category nominations brought forward incredible stories of men who pushed boundaries and elevated the Irish outdoor and adventure scene in 2024.

Aidan Ennis became the first person to complete a continuous the 2,530km through-hike of the 275 Vandeleur–Lynam Mountains. It was amazing achievement that took him 48 days, nine hours, and 30 minutes. The Vandeleur–Lynam Mountains are a list of mountains over 600 metres, located all around Ireland.

When Aidan, who is from Waterford City but now lives in Tramore, first planned to hike the Vandeleur-Lynam mountains he wasn’t thinking about breaking any records, he simply wanted to attempt something that hadn’t been done before. He planned to hike over each mountain range, and then run with his backpack to the next one, camping in the mountains and carrying his tent, sleeping bag and other provisions with him.

On Friday, May 3, 2024, Aidan reached his first summit – the top of Corcogemore (610.1m) in the Maamturks, Co. Galway. Over the next 48 days he visited all of Ireland’s major mountain ranges to climb all the 600m plus mountains in the Vandeleur-Lynam group, in one continuous through-hike. He did so entirely on foot, and running from one mountain range to the next.

Aidan’s last mountain was Más an Tiompáin (761.9m), at the end of Brandon Headland on the Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry, which he reached on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Aidan climbed a staggering 69,002m of elevation on the mountains along the way.

Aidan is someone who has always loved being outdoors, walking and running through remote and spectacular landscapes. However, he said this trip was different from all his previous expeditions because of the support he received from everyone he met.

“It made the expedition an exceptional experience,” he said, reflecting on the journey.

However, he said he almost gave up on day 42, but was saved by “two strong lattes and some pear and almond scones”. By completing his task he raised much-needed funds for Brighter Communities Worldwide, a County Cork charity that works to provide clean drinking water for schools and communities in rural Kenya.

With regard to tips for other fellow, multi-day hikers, he said: “Look after your feet, and take one good coffee break every day.

The Outsider Awards title sponsor is Sport Ireland, and supporting sponsors are Craghoppers, Sustainable Tourism Network, Fáilte Ireland, and Salewa.