Siobhán O'Mahony

Back in 2010, Siobhán was volunteering with a community group in Limerick, helping organise local park walks. That's where it clicked. She saw how much it meant to older adults—the confidence they gained, the independence they reclaimed. It wasn't just exercise. It was life.

She went on to study Sports and Exercise Science at University of Limerick, where her dissertation focused on health benefits of regular nature exposure in older populations. But the real learning came afterwards—from years spent on forest trails, working with hundreds of people, understanding what actually works for different mobility levels.

Over the past 14 years, Siobhán's progressed from coordinating a local walking group to becoming one of Ireland's leading voices on senior-friendly forest trails. She's consulted with Limerick County Council on trail maintenance and accessibility. She's walked Curraghchase Forest Park hundreds of times—knows every loop, every slope, every potential obstacle.

What drives her is simple: every forest should be accessible to everyone, regardless of mobility or fitness level. Her approach combines practical trail knowledge with genuine understanding of the physical and emotional needs of older hikers. She doesn't believe in one-size-fits-all. She believes in tailored, thoughtful exploration.