FAQ 
OUR TEAM
Mary Young
Founder and Director of Connemara Adventure Tours, Mary has lived the adventure of their 35 years in existence! Sailing to America for her honeymoon in a 26’ boat, working on an 80’ ocean racing yacht whilst sailing 30,000 miles around the world – all before starting up Killary Adventure Company with husband Jamie in 1980. She has travelled extensively by boat, bicycle & foot but has yet to find anywhere better to live and work than Connemara.
Having grown up around the Adventure business, Mary and Jamie are now joined by their children who have also travelled widely but chosen to return to Connemara to live and work - what better testimony to the power of this place.
Mary and her team look forward to welcoming you to see for yourself the place where the Wild Atlantic Way combines mountain, seashore and island and where a warm Irish welcome awaits you.
Jamie Young
Founder and Director of Connemara Adventure Tours. The real adventurer in the company, Jamie has sailed the Atlantic in a 23’ boat, skippered Ondine around the world, sea kayaked around Cape Horn, sea kayaked in the Islands off Guinea Bisseau, re-enacted Shakleton’s small boat voyage from Elephant Island to South Georgia and most recently led a three-month sailing, climbing and sea kayaking expedition to Greenland. And as he says himself, he is not finished exploring yet!
Our trips are not of this hard-adventure level, but we offer you the chance to explore a more remote part of Europe, knowing you have the comfort of a reliable and well-organised back-up team.
Ciara Young
Ciara, daughter of Mary and Jamie, grew up immersed in the outdoor lifestyle and stories of grand adventures. She finished second level education and headed off to explore the world for four years visiting Australia, New Zealand, South America, Central America, Africa and Asia. On her return to Ireland in 2006 Ciara completed a degree in Marketing and Events Management. She then returned to Connemara where she grew up to run the marketing office for Connemara Adventure Tours. Most days she can be found running or cycling the hills of Connemara during her lunch break! Ciara now lives in Leenane with her French husband Jerome and their three children.
Irmi Martin
Originally from Bavaria, Germany Irmi loves the hospitality of the Irish, their deep connection with nature & music and their incredible sense of humour.
“Blown In” to Connemara two years ago, Irmi enjoys exploring Connemara together with her kids in her Camper Van. When she is not in Ireland you can find her travelling around the world and doing yoga.
With years of experience in the travel industry she wants to share her insider Tipps and her knowledge to help to create unforgettable experiences for those who come and visit us on the Emerald Island.
Shane Young
Born and raised in the west of Ireland Shane (brother to Ciara) has been playing in the outdoors since he was born. In between living in New Zealand and Argentina he has fostered a love of wild places and great adventures. He has made various trips across the world in search of out of the way places including Georgia and Greenland, where he participated in the 2013 sailing and kayak expedition with his father Jamie. Shane now manages Killary Adventure Centre and spends every free moment training for and planning his next extreme outdoor adventure challenge!
OUR STORY
Over 30 years of cycling and walking vacations in Ireland
This is the story of a family and a small village and the belief, energy and adventurous spirit which has prevailed amongst them. It is the story of a tour company which is unequalled for their passion for the tours they offer and renowned for their personal service.
Mary and Jamie Young – adventurers and founders of Connemara Adventure Tours
Connemara Adventure Tours is part of Killary Adventure Company and was created over 30 years ago by Mary and Jamie Young who came on holidays to what was then a very remote part of the west of Ireland, saw the immense beauty of it, and decided to stay. Ireland in the 1980s was in the grip of a recession but this did not halt their far-reaching vision.
Jamie had participated in the 1976 single-handed race to America and then was joined by Mary when they spent their honeymoon sailing to America in a 26ft boat designed for single-handed sailing. In 1979 they once again took to the water spending a year working on the famous 80ft ocean racing yacht Ondine. Theirs was a life of travel, adventure and discovery and they brought this strong interest and experience to their new business.
Family business continues into the next generation
They created a home here in wildest Connemara, they learned how to be self-sufficient and to work with the environment around them in a respectful way. They had three children, all of whom are now working full-time in the business. Ciara is the Marketing Manager for the Killary group of companies, Shane manages Killary Adventure Centre and Kim is also involved in marketing.
All three have spent years travelling and experiencing far-flung corners of the world in between study and work. They agree that this “university of life” has been in many ways as valuable as all their years of study combined.
Connemara Adventure Tours management team
The current management team at Connemara Adventure Tours have added their own chapter to this story. Irmi has joined Connemara Adventure Tours since October 2022 and has just finished her first season on the road. She loves to take care of every detail and wants her guests to experience the authentic Connemara way of living.
The story continues
Connemara Adventure Tours has evolved in many ways over the years as the market has changed and the customer base has shifted. Through further recessions and through the boom years there has been a steady growth and a very positive trajectory associated with the company. This is a story which is far from over.