‘This is the dream’ – Adventurer chooses Malin rest stop after 2,800km trek

It’s destination Donegal for Derek Cullen after completing an amazing 2,800km walk around Ireland.

The Dublin native, who turned his life around in a battle with loss, alcohol and depression, has decided to take a well-earned rest in a cottage on Malin Head for the next two months.

The 37-year-old had been on the move for 78 days of hiking and camping around Ireland. His journey became an online sensation, with thousands taking motivation from his daily updates and inspirational messages from the wildest parts of the county.

After completing the walk on October 31st, Derek set his sights on Donegal again to enjoy the remote landscape of Malin.

How he found a place to stay was almost fate.

Derek tells Donegal Daily: “Malin Head is one of my favourite places in Ireland. On the way around Ireland, I think people could see Donegal was my favourite. Malin really stood out, I think it’s because it feels like the edge of the world.”

“I had my eye on this cottage years ago. It’s in one of the most remote places. I even contacted the lady who owned it and asked how much the house cost. But then a couple of months ago I was chancing my arm again and told the lady what I was doing and she rented it to me. I couldn’t believe my luck.”

Derek is planning to enjoy the solitude, the turf fires, and exploring the wild and rugged landscape of Malin until Christmas, when he’ll head home to see family. He’ll be sharing his usual open and insightful videos with followers during the stay and plans to launch his own outdoor clothing brand – Out Dare.

Derek also plans to use the time-out to put pen to paper.

“I haven’t started but I plan to write a book about my journey, from my low point when this started five years ago and how the outdoors changed things,” he said.

In 2014, Derek was living a self-destructive life of drinking following the death of his parents. The turning point came when he decided to live for his parents instead of trying to live without them.

Derek followed his passion for the outdoors and it took on incredible cycles and hikes around the Africa, Newfoundland and from Mexico to Canada. Being outdoors eased his anxiety, but he eventually had to return to Ireland to face his demons.

The all-Ireland trek brought Derek on a journey of discovery – visiting amazing regions and finding himself again.

“My trip around Ireland turned out to be the most exciting trip I had ever taken,” he said.

“The biggest thing I learned was really simple – to appreciate where I come from and what we have on our doorstep.

“I had never really gotten out there in Ireland and this opened up a whole new world to me.”

Derek also traced his roots to Donegal and took the opportunity to meet with relatives this year. His grandmother Sarah Gallagher is from Creeslough and she was the sister of the famous singer, Bridie Gallagher.

Derek was amazed by the welcome he received: “I went to Creeslough and the Gallagher clan were all there at their house. I got to meet my mother’s cousin and they brought me to where my grandmother was born. She worked in Ards Friary too.

“I felt very connected up there. The welcome was incredible, even to this day they are still contacting me.”

Those close ties to the county are just one reason why Derek is so excited to make the move to Malin on Friday.

“Everyone in Donegal has made me feel at home,” he said.

You can follow Derek’s experiences in Malin and beyond here on Facebook.com/derekcullenoutdoors/

Tags: