For 12 years, I've been documenting Ireland's most rewarding woodland trails and designing mindful nature experiences for active retirees. What started as a passion for Cork's forests became my life's work.
I didn't plan to become a forest therapy guide. That's the honest truth. I spent a decade in corporate wellness — the kind of work where you're writing wellness newsletters and coordinating gym memberships for office workers who'd rather be anywhere else.
But something shifted when I went back to university. I was 28, working full-time, and decided to study Environmental Studies at University College Cork. That's when things clicked. I wasn't just learning about ecology — I was reconnecting with something I'd lost. My childhood was spent in County Cork woodlands. My parents would take me to Gougane Barra before it was trendy, when it was just quiet forest and water.
After finishing my degree in 2012, I couldn't go back to corporate life. Instead, I trained as a forest therapy facilitator through the Irish Institute of Forest Therapy — completed my certification in 2015. That decision meant less money, more uncertainty, but it meant I could finally do work that mattered to me.
Since then, I've walked and documented over 40 forest trails across Ireland. I've spent time with retirement communities learning what makes certain trails accessible and genuinely restorative. I've sat with people in their 60s and 70s who'd never experienced forest bathing before, and watched them transform after a single guided woodland session. That's what keeps me going.
Over a decade of specialised knowledge in woodland wellness and Irish forest parks.
Certified forest therapy guide trained in Japanese Shinrin-yoku practices adapted for Irish woodland environments. I design guided experiences specifically for older adults.
I've personally walked and assessed 40+ forest trails across Ireland, documenting accessibility features, terrain difficulty, and seasonal variations. My work focuses on finding routes suitable for active retirees.
I combine environmental science with wellness psychology to explain how woodland experiences improve physical health, mental clarity, and emotional resilience in older populations.
Deep expertise in Avondale Forest Park, Portumna Forest, and Gougane Barra woodland. I know these places intimately — their best seasons, hidden corners, and what makes each uniquely valuable.
I translate complex wellness concepts into practical, readable guides that actually help people plan real woodland experiences. No jargon, just useful information.
I've worked with multiple retirement communities designing structured nature programmes. I understand what makes woodland activities meaningful and accessible for active older adults.
I don't write about forests I haven't walked. Every trail guide I create is based on personal fieldwork. I document what's actually there — the terrain, the accessibility challenges, the seasonal changes — not some idealised version of nature.
Forest bathing shouldn't be just for young, highly mobile people. I design experiences and document routes specifically thinking about what works for people in their 60s, 70s, and beyond. That means clear information about terrain, distance, facilities, and realistic difficulty levels.
Forest therapy has solid research behind it. But people don't connect with studies — they connect with stories. I weave the science with real experiences, showing not just that woodland walking is good for you, but why it actually matters in your daily life.
I'm not just promoting trails for visitor numbers. I care deeply about the ecological health of these forests. My writing encourages mindful, respectful woodland use — the kind that benefits both people and the ecosystem.
Forests aren't just beautiful places to visit. They're active therapeutic environments that can be deliberately explored for genuine health benefit. But only if we approach them with intention and respect.
Years specialising in forest therapy and woodland wellness
Irish forest trails personally documented and assessed
Forest Therapy Facilitator certification completed
Retirement communities consulted on nature programming
A selection of guides and resources on forest bathing and woodland wellness for active retirees in Ireland.
Avondale is one of Ireland's most accessible forest parks, but knowing which routes to take makes all the difference. I've documented the best trails for first-time visitors and older walkers.
Read the guideForest bathing isn't hiking or exercise. It's a specific practice rooted in Japanese wellness traditions, now adapted for Irish woodlands. Here's what the science says and why it matters for retirees.
Read the articleGougane Barra holds a special place in my heart and in Ireland's forest heritage. This is my complete guide to accessing its trails, understanding its seasonal rhythms, and experiencing it mindfully.
Read the guidePortumna offers genuine variety — gentle woodland walks, longer trail options, and scenic lakeshore routes. I've mapped out which trails work best for different fitness levels and interests.
Read the guideWhether you're interested in trail recommendations, consulting on nature programming, or discussing forest therapy practices — I'm here to help.
I'm based at mitraabadimotor Limited and work on projects spanning trail documentation, wellness content, and retirement community consulting. I'm always interested in discussing how woodland experiences can improve wellbeing for older adults.
Feel free to reach out with questions, collaboration ideas, or just to chat about Ireland's best forest walks.
