Eco Award - Professional sponsored by STN : Outsider

Sustainable, strong, and striving for change! The Eco-Hero Professionals and Companies award, sponsored by the Sustainable Tourism Network, celebrates groups championing eco-friendly practices in the Irish outdoor world. Their efforts are shaping a better future for us all.

You’re Invited!

If you’re a nominee, consider this your official invitation to the Outsider Awards 2024, taking place on the evening of Thursday, 27 February 2025, at the Sugar Club, Dublin.

We are beyond thrilled to announce the support of our incredible sponsors, who are helping us celebrate all the brilliance of the Irish adventure scene. With their backing, it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable night!

A special thank you to our title sponsor Sport Ireland, as well as our supporting sponsors: Craghoppers, Sustainable Tourism Network, Fáilte Ireland, and Salewa.

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We were blown away by the quality and quantity of the nominations we received this year. We ope you enjoy reading about these incredible Outdoor Eco-Hero Professionals and Companies. This category is sponsored by Sustainable Tourism Network.

We can’t wait to see you there and celebrate another incredible year of Irish outdoor adventures!

Zirkulu

Zirkulu – a small Irish brand founded by two lifelong friends – is taking on the outdoor apparel industry with innovative jackets and fleeces that aim to be high-performing yet with a minimal environmental impact.

In December 2020, Jack Norman and Fionn McCarthy – from Kinsale in County Cork – took a walk along the coast near where they live. The childhood friends had spent the past year in Canada and France, road-tripping, camping, hiking, skiing, and reigniting their shared love for the great outdoors.

“Back on home soil, we wanted to keep feeding our passion for adventure,” says Jack. “In a country like ours, the gear you use can make or break the experience, and we decided to redesign the classic rain jacket based on the principles of the circular economy.”

They had read that the first people to land in Ireland after the Ice Age had originated from the Basque Country, a region of Spain and France. “We took Zirkulu, the Basque word for circle, as our name and set off on our boldest adventure yet,” he says.

After much Googling, they came to believe the future of outdoor apparel — and clothing in general — should be rooted in bio-based and renewable materials. It took a year and a half, as well as a brief move to Lisbon, a tie-in with a product design student in Utah and a kickstarter campaign, to find the perfect fabric, components, and production process to create their jacket.

In 2023, they began production of the ‘Endurance’ shell jacket, along with the ‘Olann’ merino wool fleece, and ‘Origin’ organic cotton T-shirt and have gone from strength to strength ever since.

Their tips for others wanting to set up businesses with minimal environmental impact? “Prioritise thoughtful design and collaborate with like-minded businesses.”

Spur Outdoor

Spur Outdoors – a small but impactful Irish brand founded by James Bresford – is revolutionising the outdoor clothing industry by offering secondhand gear that’s as kind to the planet as it is to your wallet.

James’s journey began with a vintage clothing business, where he developed a keen understanding of the secondhand market. Driven by his passion for the outdoors, he launched Spur Outdoors to provide adventurers with a sustainable alternative to fast fashion. “I wanted to offer a more sustainable choice for people shopping for outdoor gear,” says James. Inspired by alarming statistics – like the 121 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions generated by textile consumption in 2020 – James saw an opportunity to make a difference.

“Overconsumption is one of the biggest challenges in the textile industry,” he explains. “Only 1% of used clothes are recycled into new clothes.” Spur Outdoors addresses this by sourcing gear from textile recycling houses, charity shops, and, most recently, directly from customers. This approach minimises waste and supports a circular economy, offering adventurers the chance to equip themselves responsibly.

But Spur Outdoors is about more than just sustainability. “We want people to get outside, connect with nature, and feel good about their gear choices,” says James. By making quality gear affordable, the brand breaks down barriers to entry for outdoor activities, encouraging more people to explore and protect the natural world.

“Every piece we sell has a story, and every item traded in helps reduce the need for new production,” James explains. With a growing range of secondhand outdoor clothing available on their website, Spur Outdoors invites everyone to join their mission to protect the planet while enjoying its beauty.

Picker Pals – Patrick Jackson

Patrick Jackson – an Irish children’s author and educator – is renowned for creating the Picker Pals environmental programem, which encourages primary school children to engage in litter-picking activities, fostering environmental stewardship from a young age.

Hailing from Howth, Co Dublin, Patrick was working as an author of primary school materials when he became hooked on litter picking and local environmental campaigning. “A shocking and painful encounter with a seagull trapped in a piece of improperly discarded fishing line led me to start local picking with friends and family,” he says.

He soon realised small groups can only do so much and wondered how he could equip families at scale around the country to get involved, and the idea of the Picker Pals was born.

Using a story world of colourful characters called Pickerupolis – drawn from his own childhood enjoyment of shows like Sesame Street and The Wombles – Picker Pals aims to empower, equip and motivate kids to lead their families on local litter-picking adventures.

“The initiative gets a lot of people doing something they wouldn’t have ordinarily done and realising how fun and feel-good it is,” he says. “It also creates special moments of off-screen outdoor action for families and a fun curriculum of activities for teachers to follow.”

His advice for others wanting to engage kids on environmental issues in a fun and accessible way? “Collaborate with, and learn from, all the wonderful people and initiatives out there. It’s not a competition and everything and everyone usually connects in some fun way or other.”

LilyMais Dingle

LilyMais Dingle makes changing robes from repurposed towels and end of line fabrics – crafting striking and individual creations by hand and with love on the Dingle Peninsula.

Frances Fogarty – who lives in Ballydavid in County Kerry – wanted to study fashion design in her teens but it was not considered a sensible choice for a girl from rural Tipperary. Instead, she trained in hospitality and worked as a chef but when the chance to study fashion design as a mature student presented itself in 2019, she leapt at it.

While studying, she quickly realised how toxic the fashion industry was. A year later, while swimming with her swim group, the Baile Bathers, she thought to herself: “Surely I can do something about the dull swim ponchos everyone has…”

Her husband, Feargal O Cinneide, suggested she make some fresh ponchos by repurposing old towels and LilyMais DINGLE was formed. Their goal, according to Fran, is to be a “true circular fashion brand” and to date they’ve saved 12 tonnes of towels from going to landfill, working out of their studio at Dingle Marina.

Her advice for anyone wanting to set up a circular fashion brand? “Do your research, talk to the leaders in the industry and find out what their true values are. It will all follow naturally from there.”

Sea Synergy

Sea Synergy is a marine awareness and activity centre located in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry. Founded by marine biologist Lucy Hunt, the centre is dedicated to educating the public about marine biodiversity and promoting conservation efforts along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.

Sea Synergy offers a variety of educational programmes, including guided coastal walks, seashore safaris, and interactive workshops, all designed to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of marine life. In addition to educational activities, the centre conducts research projects such as the Sea Synergy Oyster Project, which focuses on the conservation of native oyster populations in the Portmagee Channel.

Sea Synergy also plays a pivotal role in community engagement, exemplified by its involvement in establishing the Greater Skellig Coast as Ireland’s first Mission Blue Hope Spot, highlighting the area’s global ecological significance.

Matt McConway, Path Manager, Sustainable Access and Habitat Restoration Project, Croagh Patrick

Matt McConway is the Path Manager for the Sustainable Access and Habitat Restoration Project on Croagh Patrick. Originally from Scotland, Matt brings extensive experience in constructing mountain pathways across the UK.

Since 2020, he has led a dedicated team in developing a 4km stone pathway from the base to the summit of Croagh Patrick. This initiative, commissioned by the Croagh Patrick Stakeholders Group, aims to enhance climber safety, preserve the mountain’s delicate ecosystem, and ensure the sustainability of the pilgrimage route for future generations. The construction process involves manually sourcing and placing stones from the mountain itself, a method that maintains the natural landscape and minimises environmental impact.

Matt’s leadership and expertise have been instrumental in the project’s progress, with the pathway nearing completion after more than three years of meticulous work.

William McIniny, Wild Seafood Foraging Workshops

William McIniny is a renowned expert in wild seafood foraging and the founder of specialised workshops that educate participants on sustainable harvesting of coastal resources.

With a deep-rooted passion for marine ecology, William has dedicated his career to promoting responsible foraging practices that ensure the preservation of delicate marine ecosystems. His workshops offer hands-on experiences, teaching attendees to identify and collect various edible seaweeds, shellfish, and other coastal edibles. Emphasising safety and environmental stewardship, William provides valuable insights into the nutritional benefits and culinary applications of foraged seafood.

Through his educational initiatives, he has inspired many to develop a deeper connection with nature and an appreciation for the bounty of the sea. William’s contributions have been instrumental in fostering a community of foragers committed to sustainable practices and the conservation of marine biodiversity.

Dr. Kevin Lynch, Beaches and Dunes Project

Dr. Kevin Lynch, a coastal geomorphologist at the University of Galway, leads the “Beaches and Dunes for Climate Adaptation: Training for Communities” project

This initiative, in collaboration with Leave No Trace Ireland, the Atlantic Seaboard North Climate Action Regional Office, and the Mayo, Sligo, and Leitrim Education and Training Board, aims to empower local communities along Ireland’s coastline to actively engage in coastal protection and climate adaptation strategies.

The project focuses on training community groups and leaders to utilise beaches and dunes as natural coastal defences. Through hands-on workshops, participants learn to enhance and maintain their local beach-dune habitats, promoting resilience against coastal flooding and erosion. Dr. Lynch’s expertise in wind-blown sand transport and beach-dune processes informs the project’s approach, ensuring that communities are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable coastal management.