Meet the Authors

Alistair Hamill

Landscape Photographer

Alistair is a landscape photographer who likes nothing better than trying to capture something of the stunning beauty of Northern Ireland’s wonderfully diverse landscapes. From getting his feet wet in the Atlantic Ocean on the North Coast, to forcing those same tired feet to clamber up yet another mountain in the Mournes, he loves to get out and about in our amazing countryside. www.alistairhamillphotography.com

Amy Colvin

Media and Events Officer, RSPB Northern Ireland

Originally from Fermanagh, Amy’s love of the outdoors stems from many Saturdays spent fishing on Lough Erne with her dad! In her role with RSPB NI, she regularly has the chance to visit some of Northern Ireland’s best spots for wildlife - Rathlin Island being a particular favourite.

Andrea Harrower

The Belles

Eternal adventure seeker.... A sports enthusiast, who competes at a high level but who has as much passion for encouraging other females and kids into the great outdoors. Along with 3 other like-minded girls she founded The Belles in 2009!

Annegret Walsh

Keen Walker from Germany

I am German, I was married to an Irishman for many years so I also lived and worked in Ireland for quite a while. I am still in love with Ireland and come here regularly, now bringing people over who also love it.

Aran Sheridan

Cyclist

Completed the Giant's Causeway Coast Sportive 7 Times (so far!)

Ashley Hunter

Coaching and Development Manager - Canoe Association Northern Ireland

Ashley has been a keen paddler man and boy. Both his experience and role within the Canoe Association of Northern Ireland means he is perfectly placed to tell us all about canoeing and paddlesports in Northern Ireland.

Beverley Magowan

Senior Marketing Officer

Beverley used to be a keen horse rider but since joining a local cycle club in 2013 she has developed a passion for 2 wheels instead of 4 hoofs! Meaning she can often be found on a bike exploring the roads across the country!

Brendan Monaghan & Stephen Prentice

Chain Reaction Cycles Flagship Store Staff

Two of CRC Flagship Store's longest serving members are Brendan Monaghan and Stephen Prentice. Brendan is a keen road cyclist and knows everything there is to know about road cycling whilst Stephen prefers spending his time cycling off road and is a specialist in all things mountain biking.

Chris Armstrong

Mountain Bike Officer

Chris looks after all things mountain biking in Northern Ireland ...it's a tough job but someone's gotta do it!

Chris Scott

When not boring everyone about his little kids’ latest antics, Chris enjoys sailing and cycling, if only to offset his love of eating out and Marlborough Cabernet Sauvignon..

Chris Sidwells

Freelance Journalist

Chris Sidwells is an author, journalist, photographer and broadcaster; a writer of books, magazine and newspaper features on every aspect of cycling and fitness.

Christopher Somerville

Writer and Broadcaster

Christopher Somerville has spent 25 years writing and broadcasting about country walks (and tougher hikes), life in remote rural and island communities from Scotland to Crete by way of the Faroes, music-making in Irish pubs, festivals from Spain to Sweden, and the pleasure and delight of telling stories and weaving yarns.

Christopher's latest book, Walking in Ireland, brings together a comprehensive guide to the fifty most stunning walks in northern and southern Ireland - visit www.christophersomerville.co.uk for more information.

Ciara MacManus

Summit Mountain Biking

Ciara MacManus is a Cycling Ireland coach, multiple Irish MTB XC and Marathon MTB Champion and co-owner of Summit Mountain Biking Coaching & Guiding which provides MTB skills coaching, trail guiding and training plans for riders of all levels and abilities - www.summitmountainbiking.com

Claire Ferry

RSPB Senior Conservation Officer

Claire Ferry is Senior Conservation Officer at the RSPB in Northern Ireland. Her work includes planning policy, designated site safeguard and lobbying for improvements in environment legislation.

For her sabbatical after seven years working at the RSPB, Claire has chosen to walk 500 miles around Northern Ireland, visiting all RSPB reserves, to raise money for marine conservation and education programmes in three countries: Northern Ireland, Bulgaria and Sri Lanka.

Part of the project is also to collect stories where the environment and wildlife have entered local myth and legend, or peoples’ personal stories of inspiration.

Claire Overend

Venture Outdoor Development Officer

Claire has been has been in the Outdoor Recreation NI team since 2010. As Development Officer for the Venture Outdoors Project she is responsible for creating opportunities for those from disabled, minority ethnic and socially disadvantaged communities to enjoy Northern Ireland's outdoors.

Claire is a keen mountain biker and snow sports enthusiast.

Claire Vernon

Cyclist and QOM at GCCS 2016

Colin Ross

World DH Master's Champion

Colin is a 3 time winner of the Red Bull Foxhunt and current Master's World Downhill Champion.

Conor McKinney

Ulster Wildlife Trust - Living Landscapes Manager

Conor works to conserve Northern Irelands key habitats and species by restoring, recreating and reconnecting key habitats. He also works to reconnect people to the landscapes surrounding them. He believes that healthy fully functioning landscapes can play a key role in making us a healthier, wealthier society.

He is a keen outdoor enthusiast and regularly treks and camps in the outdoors and plays a wide range of sports. He is also an avid barn owl and merlin enthusiast and undertakes raptor conservation work in any available free time.

Dan Lavery

Owner & Instructor at Long Line Surf School

Dan is the founder and owner of Long Line Surf School and was previously Junior Irish Longboard Champion. He is young but very knowledgeable in the sport and has been a surf coach for many years now as well as being a beach lifeguard on the North Coast for 3 years.

David Flanagan

Writer, Publisher and Rock Climbing Enthusiast

David Flanagan is a writer and publisher from Dublin.
He has been climbing for nearly 20 years, focusing on bouldering, a type of climbing that is done relatively close to the ground without ropes.

He is currently putting the finishing touches on his second book, a bouldering instructional manual. His next project is a guide to the best of Irish Rock Climbing.

Dominic Lyttle

Assistant Marketing Officer

Dominic has recently joined the ORNI team following completion of a MSc in Marketing from Queen’s University Belfast.

In his spare time, Dominic enjoys trekking, travelling to new and exciting places, and playing basketball, alongside drinking far too much coffee!

Duane Fitzsimons

Owner at Lecale Peninsula Tours

Duane is a local guide with a passion for history and folklore. From his interest he has gone onto create The Lecale Peninsula Tours. These tours explore various sections of the Lecale Way through rambles and town walking trails. To Duane a walk is not just a mere scenic pathway but a cultural gateway to unlock the past. Details of the walks can be found on the website www.lecalepeninsula.com

Ed McCann

Cyclist and IT Trainer

Ed works as an IT Trainer in Belfast and is also a keen cyclist, having spent the last 20 years in the activity he also used to race for West Down Wheelers.

Eimear Flanagan

Owner of Away A Wee Walk

A lifelong lover of the outdoors, Eimear set up 'Away A Wee Walk' (Northern Ireland's only dedicated scenic hiking tours and holiday company) after a 500 mile trek in Spain. She now provides hikes and holidays that are the 'quintessence of Ireland', creating experiences that are cherished forever. Eimear often finds herself pointing out breath taking landscapes to her visitors, while they take photographs of the sheep!

Elizabeth Birtley

Executive Project Lead & Communications at British Horse Society

Elizabeth Rogers

Emma McCann

Keen Hill Walker and Fundraiser

Emma McCann took to hiking relatively recently when she decided to prepare for a charityTrek to Peru. From then on in, she was hooked. Using her skills gained in advertising and sales, she has become a seasoned fundraiser for various charities including, the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, Cancer Focus NI and was the first female member and subsequent Female President of Cookstown & Magherafelt Lions Club. Emma likes nothing more than getting into the Sperrin Mountains where she lives with her husband John and considers herself so lucky to live in one of the walking gems of Ireland. Emma and John enjoy walking in Europe and hope to continue this for years to come.

Ethan Loughrey

Mountain Bike Officer

Hardest thing about Mountain Biking? Definitely the trees.

Fergal Kilkenny

Dublin-based Mountain Biker

Avid mountain biker from Dublin who enjoys digging trails nearly as much as hammering down them. Like most of bikers my age I'm a BMX kid trapped in an oul lads body but couldn't really care less.

Not to bothered on how rotten the weather is to head out on the bike - except snow, I hate snow, it's a novelty for 5 minutes and that's it. No ideas what age I can keep this mighty biking craic going until but I'll let pretend not to notice when I get there...

Gail Martin

Primary School Teacher / Mum

Gail is a Primary School teacher and Mum to two active, young boys. She enjoys any activity involving the great outdoors, especially those where the boys can get involved. Gail is a keen runner and cyclist, both road and MTB and likes to push herself to take on new challenges.

Gareth Beckett

Producer of MTB Tribe Podcast

Gareth is a keen mountain biker and runs the popular podcast, "MTB Tribe". On here, he interviews people involved in every aspect of MTBing life; from international champions, to retired pros, to local trail builders. Download it free on iTunes or wherever you get your podcast from.

Gareth Fullerton

Works at SeeSense

Glyn O'Brien

Professional Mountain Biker

Glyn has a career spanning over 30 years on 2 wheels – from BMX, Moto X and DH. Some of his career highlights include 3rd Redbull Rampage, 2nd Masters Worlds Champs and Irish DH Champion. Glyn’s passion for riding remains as strong as ever and he wants to instill his experience and enthusiasm into the rest of the team he races with.

Harry Reid

Junior Executive

Harry will typically be found playing rugby. However, when not chasing the egg shaped ball, Harry enjoys hiking with his dad in the Mournes or attending music gigs with friends.

Helen Lawless

Hillwalking, Access & Conservation Officer - Mountaineering Ireland

Helen is an experienced hillwalker, with a passion for the mountain environment. Helen works with Mountaineering Ireland, the representative body for hillwalkers and climbers, as Hilwalking, Access & Conservation Officer. Helen’s role is focused on two core objectives: securing continued access to Ireland’s upland areas and crags, and promoting the conservation and responsible use of the mountain environment. Visit www.mountaineering.ie for more information

Hikers Blog

Walking Enthusiasts and Blogger

HikersBlog.co.uk is a blog run by a group of Irish hiking and camping enthusiasts who can often be found exploring the Mourne Mountains and further afield. Happiest when they are outdoors they document their adventures through trip reports, videos and photos as well as offering gear reviews.

Ian Kelly

Chairman of Glenwalk Hillwalking Club

Ian lives in Celbridge (22km west of Dublin) and is the current Chairman of Glenwalk Hillwalking Club.

This large sociable club, which was established in 2002, has a wide range of membership ranging from young adults to walkers in thier 50's and is always welcoming new members. Visit www.glenwalk.com for more information.

Jayne Woodrow

Marketing Officer & Active Clubs Coordinator for Walking

Jayne joined the marketing team of Outdoor Recreation NI in March 2014. She oversees the marketing and communication on WalkNI, OutdoorNI and Walking in Your Community Project. Most recently she has been working with Parkrun Ireland & UK to introduce the 'Walk @ parkrun' initiative.

John McInerney

Mountain Bike Enthusiast

I live in County Wicklow and I'm a member of Sorrento Cycling Club. I get out mountain biking whenever I can, but not as often as I should!

John McKenna

Walker and lover of the outdoors

When not working or running after his kids, John walks hill, swims in the sea and rides his bike out onto the countryside. Every now and again he likes to challenge himself and do something he thinks he’s completely incapable of doing! This year this included a sprint triathlon at age 45, now on his third he is totally addicted! He lives by the motto: "Yeah, why not, what could possibly go wrong..."

Kelly Hargie

Blogger (Every Treasure)

Kelly Hargie is a Belfast-based Mum of 3 adventurous boys. Her hobbies are reading, walking and eating good food. She blogs over at Every Treasure about the silver-lining moments to be found in the everyday and is passionate about authentic-living, simplicity and will always leave housework undone to go on an outdoor adventure.

Kerry Kirkpatrick

Assistant Marketing and Events Officer

A true North Coast water baby, happiest when on the beach.

Kieron Gribbon

Outdoor Writer & Photographer

Kieron Gribbon is a published outdoor writer & photographer based in Northern Ireland. He has been a member of the Outdoor Writers & Photographers Guild since May 2010, and is the author of Ireland's County High Points - A Walking Guide (published in 2012 by The Collins Press). His writing and photography has also appeared in several outdoor magazines, including Country Walking, Trail and BBC's Countryfile.

Visit www.kierongribbon.com to find out more about Kieron and his work. You can also follow him at www.facebook.com/kierongribbon and www.twitter.com/kierongribbon.

Lorcan Healy

Triathlete and PT

Lorcan Healy is a top Irish long distance triathlete and coach. He has raced at the highest level within Ireland, the UK and Europe.

Lucy Carter

Outdoor Shop

Lucy is a copywriter for the Outdoor Shop. Established in 1981, The Outdoor Shop is based in Stacey Bushes on the North West tip of Milton Keynes. Retailing through both a high street shop and via the Internet, they are one of the countries leading independent retailers of technical outdoor clothing and equipment.

Mandy Collie

Director at Forme Coaching

Mandy is keen cyclist and is also a Director at Forme Coaching, a professional coaching service for cyclists.

Mark Rudds

Cyclist with Castleknock Cycling Club

Mark Taylor

Editor-in-Chief

Mark writes for Bikes.org.uk on a wide range of cycling topics. Bikes.org.uk is a bike review site dedicated to all things to do with bikes, including mountain bikes, road bikes, bmx bikes and lots more.

Martin Dunne

Cofounder of Oldtown Road Trailbreakers Walking Club

Martin is the cofounder of the Oldtown Road Trailbreakers and continues to lead them on treks and adventures all over the country. An avid outdoor enthusiast, who if not on the Trails can be found kayaking the inlets and Islands of the East Coast. Never one to sit easy he is always busy helping to plot the next big Trailbreakers Adventure.

Martin McAlinden

TNI's Visitor Information Administration Officer

I currently work in Tourism Northern Ireland's Visitor Information team. Working in this team constantly gives me great ideas of places to explore outside of work which i try to take full opportunity of when i can, whether its to take some photos, do a bit of hill walking or cycling or just see a new area.

Martin McMullan

Mountain Instructor

Martin is a professional Mountain Instructor and a full member of the professional body the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI). Martin is currently a Director with the Life Adventure Company alongside being a Rescue Co-ordinator and Training Officer with the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team.

Mary Kelly

Proprietor of Pedal Right

Mary is the proprietor of Pedal Right, a cycling school which teaches children and adults how to cycle safely. She is a mother and a grandmother who always had an interest in cycling. A few years ago she was made redundant and had the opportunity to train as a cycling instructor. Since then she has been travelling around the North West of Ireland working mainly in schools teaching children how to cycle safely.

She also spends alot of her time walking with her miniature Jack Russell around the lovely beaches in Buncrana and the surrounding countryside.

Mech Monkey

We are Mech Monkey, a rider owned cycle repair shop on the Lisburn Road. We’ve worked on bikes professionally for 10+ years, catering for Sunday warriors up to world cup pros.

Michael Anderson

Feature Writer

Michael Anderson is a feature writer with a degree in Journalism. Michael`s interests include cycling, hiking and other outdoor pursuits. He writes regularly for a range of blogs and news websites.

Mickey Regan

Mountain Biker

I am a bit of a Mountain bike fanatic. I ride most types of Mountain biking from XC, DH to All Mountain epics. I ride mainly for the enjoyment of the sport. Racing only occassionaly to keep me on my toes. For me it doesn't mater if I am ridding off the side of a Rocky Mountain, up to the hubs in mud or on a trail centre all weather surface. Being happy on the mountain bikes in the open air is what it is all about.

Nathan Kingerlee

Outdoors Professional

Nathan Kingerlee runs an adventure and outdoor training company, Outdoors Ireland, based in Killarney, Kerry. Specialising in mountaineering, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing and team challenges, Outdoors Ireland runs a combination of training courses, team building and adventure breaks.

Visit www.outdoorsireland.com for more information.

NI Explorer

NI Travel Blogger

Covering a mixture of outdoor adventure, events, food, drink and everything in between- giving ideas and info for great days out in Northern Ireland and beyond.

Nick Wolsey

Keen Canoeist & Volunteer Canoe Ranger

By day Nick Wolsey is a technical instructor with Shorts/Bombardier which involves a lot of worldwide travel. As such he likes to spend his spare leisure time enjoying canoeing at home in Ireland.

Nick has almost completed a self made quest to land on every island on Strangford Lough. This quest has developed further to paddle around all of the islands on Lough Erne.

Nick is also a Volunteer Canoe Ranger assisting CanoeNI.com regularly inspect the canoe trails.

Noelle Rohan

Cyclist with Castleknock Cycling Club

Paul McArthur

A trail runner, orienteer, adventure racer, mountain biker, semi-retired climber and blogger.

Paul O'Connor

Online Outdoor Pursuits Magazine Editor

Paul O'Connor runs the Online Outdoor Pursuits magazine, Walking and Hiking Ireland. Paul is a keen hill-walker and is a regular visitor to the Mourne Mountains but also enjoys walking the other ranges throughout Ireland.

To check out more articles by Paul visit www.walkingandhikingireland.com

Pauline Mc Gurk

Public Relations Officer with North West Mountain Rescue Team, Hill walker & cyclist

Pauline started hill walking in 2004 and has trekked in the Himalayas & Vietnam. She is also a keen cyclist having cycled over the Andes from Argentina to Chile and in Brazil.

Pauline became a volunteer with the North West Mountain Rescue team 4 years ago and enjoys the outdoors in all weathers. When she's not volunteering she enjoys walking and skiing in Switzerland & Austria.

Peter Lennon

Image Capturer

Peter is a keen photographer, focusing on landscapes, urban and pet photography. His landscape work is concentrated on the North Antrim Coast where he spent many childhood years, but is seeing some familiar places with fresh eyes after a new found enthusiasm for digital photography. www.peterlennonphotography.co.uk

Peter Mulholland

Keen Cyclist

Peter has worked as a funeral director in his home town of Carrickfergus for the last 45+ years and loves getting out on his bike to get a way from it all! He took up cycling in June 2011 mainly completing leisure runs and charity sportives and has recently joined Northern Cycling Club.

Robbie

Proud Dad in a keen scottish canoeing family.

Robbie is a keen canoeist from Scotland.

He loves nothing more than paddling with his wife and two young sons.

They started canoeing as a family in Spring 2008 and took their first canoeing trip to Northern Ireland during Easter 2010.

Ronnie Irvine

Seasoned Hill Walker and UFRC Committee Member

A retired chemistry teacher and a hill-walker for more than 30 years, Ronnie has been on the UFRC Committee since shortly after retirement. He has a keen interest in Natural History and photography which he combines with his love of hill-walking. Having taken up web design on retirement he now runs his local walking club website www.midulsterwalkingclub.org.uk and his own photographic site www.ronniepics.co.uk as well as finding the time to be a walk volunteer ranger with Outdoor Recreation NI.

Ross Millar

Chairperson of Mountaineering Ireland

A keen hill walker since his teens and his days in the Boy Scouts Ross Millar is current chairperson of the Mountaineering Ireland board. When he’s not out walking he is working as the Director of a ‘recreation planning’ company and is also a voluntary Director of Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland.

Rusty Surginor

Contributor to Hikers Blog

Rusty is a keen hiker of the Mourne mountains and Belfast hills, who also enjoys camping, preferably with the minimum amount of equipment required. An occasional climber and regular outdoor runner, Rusty enjoys varied outdoor pursuits and even indulges in a little quiet bird watching to relax after a few gruelling days in the hills. Rusty also trains regularly in multiple martial arts disciplines and is an enthusiastic advocate of self defence amongst others in outdoors circles.

Sally Thomas

Tredz

Sally is a copywriter for Tredz Bikes and is based in South Wales. She is originally from Birmingham but has been enjoying living near the fantastic beaches and countryside of South Wales for 8 years. She plays in the Swansea Netball League and keeps backache at bay with Pilates. Sally loves getting out on her bike accompanied by her toddler Arthur on the back!

Sarah Martin

Retro Runaways

Sarah Martin owns Retro Runaways, a self drive Classic Volkswagen Campervan Hire Company in Harrogate. In her spare time Sarah, her husband and 'Babs' (a beautiful, 2010 VW Type 2 Brazilian Bus) head off on some campervan adventures of their own!

Sarah Nelson

Marketing Officer

Sarah joined the marketing team of Outdoor Recreation NI in 2011. A firm believer in giving anything a go at least once (unless it involves jumping out of a plane at 6,000ft!) she is always looking for new adventures in the outdoors and can often be found wandering the Mournes or Glens of Antrim attempting not to get lost!

Sean Mullan

Walking Guide and Owner of Walk Talk Ireland

Sean runs Walk Talk Ireland www.walktalkireland.com bringing walkers to the Glens of Antrim and the Causeway Coast and then on to Donegal.

Sinéad Kennedy

Orwell Wheelers

Sinéad Kennedy is a Physical Therapist, Yoga Siromani and Pilates Instructor, based in South County Dublin.

She treats and teaches people from all walks of life, including many athletes, especially cyclists, runners and golfers. Recently featured in the Irish Independant, FIT Magazine, her Yoga 4 Cyclists class has gained notoriety. A keen cyclist and proud member of Orwell Wheelers she has completed numerous cycling events including La Marmotte Sportive.

Sinéad has also completed three Dublin City Marathons, numerous Adventure Races, Half Marathons and the Camino de Santiago.

Spud

Keen Hiker and Walk Blogger

Spud (Stephen) is a regular hiker and camper of the Mourne Mountains, who has hiked all over Ireland, including regular hikes on the Ulster way. He is part of HikersBlog, a blog run by a group of hiking friends featuring Gear Reviews, Trip Stories and Videos.

Tim Rickerby

Commercial Lawyer

Tim is a commercial lawyer based in London, and is a keen mountain biker and runner. Originally from New Zealand, he is enjoying exploring all the trails that the UK has to offer.

Tom Cooper

Author of Cycle Touring in Ireland

Tom has worked as a journalist and editor for newspapers in both England and Australia. When he decided to explore Ireland by bike, he couldn’t find the guidebook he wanted. So he set out to write 'Cycle Touring in Ireland' to help others enjoy cycle touring as much as he does.

Warren McConnaughie

Industry Image Photography

Warren McConnaughie is a sports photographer based in Antrim, with a particular passion for action and extreme sports. Warren is the owner of Industryimage Photography which provides creative imagery to event competitors, product manufacturers and editorial publications throughout UK and Ireland – www.industryimage.com