Meet the Authors

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.

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 Pierson

Marketing Officer

Beverley has been with CAAN since 2005 and has a keen interest in all 4 legged friends, spending alot of her time walking with her 8 stone Rottweiler - who is nearly the same size as her!! She also enjoys riding horses whether its completing rounds of jumps or out doing cross country in the fields.

Chris Armstrong

Marketing Officer

Chris joined CAAN in 2009 and spends his days organising activity press trips to Northern Ireland. Chris is a keen cyclist and is always keeping his eyes open for the next ‘Big Adventure' in the pipeline! Follow Chris on Twitter - www.twitter.com/ChrisCAAN

Chris Scott

Activity Tourism Manager (aka Big Chris)

Big Chris has worked with the marketing team for the past 4 years with responsibility for adventure activities and canoeing.
He has made it his personal mission to get as many people as possible out enjoying Northern Ireland's outdoors.
Having 'retired' from competitive sailing he is trying to find something new to fill the void. A recent convert to cycling and running - triathlon is quickly becoming an appeal despite the fact he can't really swim!

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.

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 CAAN team for the past six months. 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.

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.

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.

Kieron Gribbon

Freelance Walking Writer

A keen walker of Northern Ireland’s countryside since 1997, Kieron became a published outdoor writer in 2009. Through his work, he aims to promote walking in Northern Ireland to locals and visitors alike. He is currently researching his first walking guidebook, and is a regular contributor to Country Walking magazine.

Visit www.kierongribbon.com to find out more about Kieron, his writing projects, and other walk-related information.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Sarah Nelson

Marketing Intern

The newest member of CAAN, Sarah joined the marketing team in the Summer of 2011. Despite having studied in St Andrews, Scotland for the past four years she still can't hit a golf ball however enjoys walks in the Mournes and adventures on the water.

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.