I first found hiking during a difficult period in my life. I had begun practising meditation, and the mountains quickly became my place of stillness. Being out in the forest or on the hills was mindfulness without effort—the sound of the birds, the movement of animals, the texture of plants, even the simple act of placing my foot carefully on uneven ground. It all kept me grounded in the moment. At first, I walked alone, and those solo hikes helped me find calm and perspective. Over time, friends began to join me, curious to see the places I loved so much. I became the one showing them hidden trails and special spots, and eventually, one of those friends became my partner. Not long after, Einstein bounded into our lives—a scruffy shepherd mix who has been our constant hiking companion ever since.
The more time I spent in nature, the more I wanted to understand it. I’d been drawn to maps since school, where orienteering first sparked that interest, so navigating with a map and compass came naturally to me. Maps still fascinate me; I love tracing old routes, studying place names, and finding tiny features that often go unnoticed. What began as day hikes stretched into overnight trips when I realised I didn’t want to leave the hills so soon. Camping gave me the chance to slow down and fully immerse myself in the landscapes I cherished. That curiosity turned me into a gear enthusiast—I enjoyed researching and testing equipment, figuring out what worked best in Ireland’s unpredictable weather, and sharing that knowledge with others.
Around the same time, I was given my first camera for my 21st birthday, and it’s hardly left my hand since. Naturally, it came with me on every hike, camp, and adventure, and before long, documenting the landscapes, wildlife, and small moments outdoors became just as important to me as experiencing them. From there, my adventures branched into bushcraft and wild cooking. Cooking over a fire has its own magic. Food tastes better not just from the smoke, but from the effort it takes to coax flames from damp Irish wood. That warmth always feels like a reward. Over the years, hiking has become more than just a hobby—it’s been a way to reconnect with myself, to share experiences with others, and to keep learning about the landscapes, traditions, and stories that shape Ireland’s wild places. This journey continues to inspire everything I create, both on and off the trail.