Senior Walking & Wellness Editor
I help older adults discover Dublin's most beautiful canal routes — places where you can actually enjoy the walk, not just endure it.
How I Started
Back in 2009, I wasn't a professional writer. I was volunteering with the Irish Ramblers Association, leading walks for community groups around south Dublin. That's where it clicked for me — watching people reconnect with the outdoors, seeing their confidence grow with each step.
Most of those volunteers were in their 60s and 70s. They wanted real routes, not sanitised tourist trails. So I started documenting what they actually needed: surface conditions, where to rest, which paths had proper drainage, which stretches got too muddy in winter. The details nobody else seemed to care about.
I studied Geography and Environmental Studies at Trinity College Dublin, which gave me the framework to think about landscape systematically. But the real education came from years of fieldwork — walking the same routes in different seasons, talking to locals, understanding how a small change in gradient makes all the difference for someone with a bad knee.
Over 14 years, that volunteer passion became my career. I've worked with Dublin City Council on accessibility assessments, written for retirement lifestyle publications, and built a specialisation in routes others overlook. The Grand Canal between Portobello and Inchicore became my obsession — there's something about that stretch that just works for leisure walking.
Now at conceptunique Limited, I bring all that fieldwork experience into comprehensive guides. Because walking shouldn't be complicated. It should be enjoyable.
What I Do
14 years of research and fieldwork across Dublin's waterways
Detailed assessments of towpath conditions, gradients, and accessibility features. I've walked the Grand Canal stretch dozens of times in different seasons.
Creating practical guides that focus on what actually matters — rest stops, facilities, surface quality, and realistic walking times for different fitness levels.
Specialising in routes that work for older adults. I understand the mobility considerations, pace preferences, and social aspects that make walking enjoyable in retirement.
The Grand Canal has stories — industrial heritage, architectural landmarks, local history. I weave these into walks so you're not just moving, you're discovering.
The canal's a haven for birds, aquatic life, and seasonal plants. I've documented what you're likely to see at different times of year along each section.
Everything I write comes from actual fieldwork. I don't rely on maps or assumptions. I walk the routes, check the conditions, and update guides seasonally.
Background
Documenting Dublin's outdoor routes with focus on accessibility and practical detail
Volunteer walking guide for community groups across south Dublin
Degree in Geography and Environmental Studies
Accessibility assessments and route planning for key walking corridors
Philosophy
A guide that says "walk along the canal" isn't helpful. You need to know the surface is tarmac for the first 2km, then gravel. You need to know where the benches are, which sections get muddy after rain, where you can actually get a coffee. That's what I provide.
Walking shouldn't be just for the young and fit. I design routes and write guides specifically for people with varying mobility levels. Gradients, rest stops, and realistic pacing aren't afterthoughts — they're the foundation.
Routes change. Weather affects conditions. New facilities open, old ones close. I don't write once and forget. I revisit routes regularly and update guides to reflect what's actually there now.
The Grand Canal isn't just a walking route — it's part of Dublin's industrial heritage. I weave history, local knowledge, and stories into guides so walks become discoveries, not just exercise.
Current Specialisation
This 5km stretch isn't just accessible — it's genuinely beautiful. The water reflects the Victorian architecture. You'll spot herons and cormorants. There are proper rest stops, quiet neighbourhoods to explore, and a real sense of Dublin's working past.
I've documented this section thoroughly: surface conditions for each season, exact distances between rest points, facilities nearby, what you'll see and when. It's become my flagship route because it proves that great walks for older adults don't mean sacrificing beauty or interest.
Explore My Guides
Latest Work
Not sure where to begin? This guide walks you through everything you need for a successful first outing — what to bring, realistic pace expectations, and how to handle a walk that's longer than you thought.
Read ArticleThe canal's teeming with life. I've documented what birds and aquatic creatures you're likely to spot throughout the year, plus the best times and places to see them on your walks.
Read ArticleThe canal wasn't built for tourism — it was Dublin's industrial lifeline. Discover the stories behind the lock houses, warehouses, and bridges you'll pass. Walking becomes so much richer when you understand what you're looking at.
Read ArticleHave questions about routes? Want recommendations for your fitness level? Interested in guided walks or collaborations? I'm here to help.
