Creative, inspiring, and unmistakably Irish, this award celebrates the storytellers who capture the wild spirit of our landscape and remind us that adventure often begins just beyond the front door. In a world increasingly shaped by social media, these creators use the screen not as a distraction, but as a spark encouraging us to lace up, get outside, and explore the extraordinary playground we call home.
The Outsider Awards will take place on 11 February 2026 at The Helix, Dublin, and we’re thrilled that the Outsider Awards will be supported by Sport Ireland, Craghoppers, Outwest Clothing, Mountaineering Ireland, and NowCoco Drinks.
Their message is simple yet powerful: “You don’t need a plane ticket to discover somewhere unforgettable.”
Read all about this year’s nominees below.
The Craghoppers Outdoor Content Creator Of The Year Award is decided by to public vote, so cast your vote below and help crown the 2026 Outdoor Content Creator of the Year!
Chris Barrett @chris_barrett_photo
Born in Knocknagoshel, Co. Kerry, Chris Barrett creates content rooted in the wild corners of Ireland. A videographer, photographer and spoken-word storyteller, Chris blends ecology, history and culture to help people understand the land beneath their feet and the species we share it with.
Chris describes his work as a way of lowering the barrier to nature. Through video, text and imagery, he explores biodiversity through a uniquely Irish cultural lens, connecting folklore, heritage, wildlife and lived experience. He is deeply passionate about how community knowledge and local stories can unlock a national understanding of the natural world.
His content champions positivity and action: from highlighting grassroots change in his own community through the Knocknagoshel Environmental Association, to inspiring schoolchildren via his work with The Heritage Council. Chris shows his audience, young and old, that protecting nature begins at home, and often with very small steps.
In a year where he travelled to the Arctic for the second time, his most precious moment happened back in his local woods of Gleann na Ginte, capturing the return of the red squirrel, now flourishing again thanks to habitat restoration and native planting. Having stood within metres of polar bears, Chris still counts that glimpse of a little red tail as the highlight of his year, proof that wild miracles happen close to home.
Barry @barry.tells.tales
Some creators document Ireland’s wildness; others tap into something older, a hum beneath the soil, the echo of footsteps walking this land long before us. From Dublin, with roots in Tipperary, Cork, and Kerry, Barry is weaving the past back into the present through softly spoken words, slow walks, and the watchful eyes of his dog, Koda. His work isn’t loud or flashy; it’s quiet, grounded, and deeply rooted in Irish folklore.
Through old tales, symbols, seasonal shifts, and encounters with nature, Barry is reminding people that folklore is not a piece of history; it’s a thread that still runs through the Irish landscape, still informs who we are, and still holds meaning if we pause long enough to listen.
Barry’s intention is simple but powerful: to awaken a sense of belonging to land, lineage, and story. Barry invites us to slow down, to remember what our grandparents knew without needing words, and to rediscover that connection through touchstones like weathered forests, ancient names, and the stories carried in wind and water.
A standout moment of Barry’s year came when he stumbled upon a single Amanita muscaria mushroom, the fairy’s lantern, glowing red against the forest floor. As he researched and recorded its folklore for a Forgotten Folklore episode, he realised he was doing exactly what she set out to do: bridging the ancient and the everyday, and inviting others to notice the magic in what they pass by. That small discovery felt like a message that the old stories are still out there, waiting to be seen.
Sarah @tinyboots_travels
If you’ve ever uttered the words “there’s nothing to do in Ireland,” Sarah Kelly is here to prove you gloriously wrong. Originally from Longford and now based in Dublin, Sarah is the creator behind a vibrant digital guidebook to Ireland’s hidden wonders. Her mission? To make outdoor adventure simple, accessible and exciting for everyone.
Sarah specialises in crisp, save-worthy guides and carousels, packed with ideas for days out, road trips, lesser-known trails, and unreal food stops from every county on the map. Her philosophy is delightfully no-nonsense: adventure doesn’t require a passport, just curiosity and a willingness to step outside.
In 2025, Sarah had no shortage of magic moments, but one stood above the rest, an island-hopping escape to Clare Island and Inishturk. Hiking, swimming and exploring new ground on the edge of the Atlantic felt like a dream, but a sunrise dip at Curraun Beach sealed the memory forever. Warm sun. Calm seas. Blue water sparkling brighter than the sky. Pure joy.
With every video she posts, Sarah expands our definition of adventure and reminds us, that Ireland is bursting with possibilities.
Erika @erikalives
From the rolling hills of Wexford to the mountains, rivers, and lakes of her adopted county of Wicklow, Erika has made it her mission to show that adventure doesn’t have to be intimidating; it can be joyful, curious, and deeply communal. Her outdoor content blends experience with thoughtful reflection, capturing both solo journeys and shared moments in nature, always with a nod to the environment and responsibility.
2025 marked a turning point for Erika. Her long-awaited Camino de Santiago trek not only fulfilled a dream she had nurtured since secondary school but also ignited a newfound passion for long-distance walking. The journey inspired a series of Celtic Caminos across Ireland and shaped her vision for 2026 adventures, blending storytelling with exploration and practical tips that feel grounded and authentic.
Through her work, she encourages audiences to start where they are, embrace curiosity, and experience the outdoors at their own pace. For Erika, the outdoors isn’t about ticking off achievements; it’s about connection, joy, and responsibility. With her infectious enthusiasm and thoughtful storytelling, she’s inspiring explorers to step outside, slow down, and see the magic in the journey.
Johnny @johnnycoyne_
Johnny Coyne, from the small village of Clonbur in Co. Galway, is an Irish adventurer whose content blends raw realism, humour, and the harsh beauty of endurance challenges. Known for tackling extreme environments with positivity and gratitude, Johnny shows that adventure isn’t just about achievement. It’s about mindset, resilience, and the bonds forged along the way.
2025 was a landmark year for Johnny. After 236 days and countless obstacles, he and his team became the first ever to kayak from Ireland to the Asian side of Istanbul. The journey tested them through winter conditions, logistical nightmares, multiple arrests, injuries, and long periods of separation, yet Johnny highlights that it was the community and friendships built along the way that made the achievement truly meaningful.
Through his videos, Johnny communicates that life and adventure are tough, but choosing to embrace challenges with optimism can bring lessons, unforgettable experiences, and lifelong memories. From a troubled teen in a local adventure program in 2016 to a world record holder in 2026, Johnny’s story is a testament to perseverance, hope, and the power of believing in yourself and in those who journey alongside you.
Laura @live.adventure.travel
Laura creates content that feels like a love letter to Ireland, its landscapes, its culture, and the quiet magic that sits between the two. She spent her childhood exploring hills, trails, and coastlines without realising just how special they were. It wasn’t until years later that she began to see her home island through fresh eyes, and that rediscovery became the spark behind her platform.
In 2019, a serious leg injury changed everything. Suddenly, exploring wasn’t guaranteed anymore. The recovery shifted her relationship with the outdoors entirely. Gone was the pressure to go fast, far, or high. Instead, Laura learned to savour the slower, softer side of adventure, where meaning matters more than miles. That perspective now defines her content.
Laura’s message is simple and powerful: adventure in Ireland doesn’t need to be extreme. You don’t have to chase summits or epic challenges to feel alive. Sometimes the real adventure is returning to places we overlook, sinking into the present moment, and remembering why being outside makes us feel like ourselves.
Her favourite captured moment of 2025 perfectly reflects that spirit. A solo trip to Dursey Island turned from a wind-lashed, rain-soaked battle into an unforgettable cultural encounter. A chance meeting with locals landed her inside a house full of music, stories, raffles, and warmth, an experience that no guidebook could script.
It’s those unexpected sparks that drive Laura’s mission: to show that adventure lives everywhere, especially close to home.
Shauna @shaunamackd
Shauna’s content feels like Ireland speaking for itself, wild, soulful, and rooted in place. Hailing from the northwest edge of County Roscommon, where Mayo and Sligo meet, she has grown up in landscapes shaped by sea winds, lake mist, mountain silhouettes, and ancient history. That deep connection breathes through everything she creates.
Rather than chasing adrenaline or spectacle, Shauna documents the outdoors as she experiences it. Her videos and photographs capture not just what Ireland looks like, but the feeling of being there: sand underfoot, river spray on your skin or dawn air biting at your cheeks. Her adventures are quietly powerful, guided by respect for the land, curiosity, and a belief that nature is something to be immersed in rather than consumed.
At the heart of Shauna’s work is a message Ireland badly needs: beauty, meaning, and adventure live right outside your door. You don’t need plane tickets, big summits, or perfect conditions to feel alive. Slow exploration, staying present, and stepping into the outdoors with appreciation can be transformative.
Her standout moment of 2025 sums up that philosophy perfectly. After a month away, she returned home and climbed to the Carrowkeel tombs in Sligo to welcome the sunrise. As the first light spilled across the landscape, a passing rain shower gave way to a vivid rainbow arcing over the ancient cairns. It was a fleeting moment, unplanned, quiet, impossible to stage, the kind that rewards those who simply show up.
Shauna’s content reminds us that Ireland is full of magic for those who pause long enough to see it.
Rosanna @rosanna_irwin_
Rosanna Irwin, the founder behind Samsú Cabins, grew up between Dublin and Co. Meath.
Her content reflects a pull toward the wild. Rosanna’s goal is simple: encourage people to step outside, switch off and breathe. Through Instagram, she documents life running Samsú, her off-grid cabin company built around the idea of slowing down. She shares the “analogue” lifestyle her cabins are designed for. Time spent hiking, making fires, reading books, and reconnecting with a quieter rhythm. Her content is also a real-time record of the business journey, including the messy middle, the stumbles and the small victories that make the process worthwhile.
For Rosanna, the heart of her storytelling is communicating the power of nature and the honesty of the journey. You don’t need everything figured out to build something meaningful. In 2025, her standout moment captured that perfectly. She and a university friend released a cookbook centred around cooking over fire, and to celebrate, they hosted a forest feast. As the sun set and thirty strangers shared a meal among the trees, she felt everything click: community forming in real time, creativity made tangible, and the reminder that following an idea can lead to something magical if you let it.
Andy @snowandsand
Andy is a photographer who brings the drama and beauty of Ireland’s landscapes to life through cinematic photography and short films. From rugged coastal cliffs to misty mountains and serene lakes, Andy’s work captures the moods and textures of the Irish outdoors in ways that feel both epic and intimate.
2025 was a breakout year for Andy, where his visually striking content helped showcase Ireland as one of the world’s most breathtaking places. His posts blend natural light, weather, and place-based storytelling, inviting viewers to slow down and appreciate both familiar and hidden corners of the country. Beyond social media, Andy shares his work via a print shop, reflecting a professional dedication to capturing Ireland’s scenery in shareable, artistic formats.
Through his content, Andy highlights not just the visual beauty of the outdoors but the emotional resonance of being in nature. His imagery inspires travel, exploration, and a deeper appreciation for Ireland’s landscapes, while his cinematic approach elevates the standard of nature photography in the country. With a growing international following, Andy is helping put Ireland’s wild and scenic spaces firmly on the digital map for outdoor enthusiasts everywhere.
Shannen @_greengal
Based in Dublin but originally from Cork, Shannen uses her platform to shine a light on Ireland’s natural environment and the urgent need to protect it. Combining education, inspiration, and activism, she translates complex environmental issues, from native forestry decline to endangered insect populations, into simple, accessible messages that encourage positive action.
In 2025, Shannen’s standout moments she captured ranged from meeting Mary Robinson through Project Dandelion to rescuing bees by hand, turning personal fear into conservation action. Her online work has also had a tangible impact: a campaign video advocating for 30% marine protected areas reached over 130,000 people and helped drive thousands of petition signatures.
Through storytelling, hands-on engagement, and advocacy, Shannen demonstrates that environmental change is possible when curiosity, care, and action intersect, inspiring others to notice, appreciate, and protect Ireland’s unique landscapes and wildlife.
Fionn O’Donoghue @fionnodonoghuevideos
Fionn O’Donoghue is one of those rare creators who brings wild Ireland to life in a way that feels intimate, electric, and completely unfiltered. Based in Co. Cavan, he has carved out a space online by pointing his camera away from himself and toward the ecosystems we often overlook, seabirds slicing through storm skies, whales rising out of dark water, deer moving through mist, and every small creature that fills the gaps in between.
His work is rooted in a simple belief: that Ireland’s wildlife is extraordinary, and that you don’t need a plane ticket to experience awe, you just have to step outside and pay attention. Through his photography and video storytelling, he asks people to do more than consume a moment. He wants them to notice it, appreciate it, value it, and ultimately protect what exists right on their doorstep.
The defining moment of his year occurred in Donegal Bay, during a chaotic, spectacular feeding frenzy that lasted only minutes but felt like witnessing a secret the ocean rarely shares. As Minke whales, dolphins, bluefin tuna, gannets, kittiwakes, guillemots, and gulls all converged on the same shimmering cloud of baitfish, Fionn filmed a scene that was both breathtaking and brutal. It was noisy, frantic, raw nature, the kind where instinct rules and every creature plays its part, whether hunter, hunted, or opportunist.
That moment crystallised everything his work stands for: the drama, fragility, and wild beauty of life on our shores. Through his lens, we are reminded that Ireland’s natural world isn’t something distant. It’s pulsing, vibrant, and waiting for us to look closer.
JUDGING PANEL CATEGORIES
Sport Ireland Outsider of the Year
Craghoppers Most Inspiring Person Award
Outsider Youth of the Year
Mountaineering Ireland Mountain Volunteer Of The Year
Outwest Clothing Outdoor Adventure Of The Year
Sport Ireland Outdoors For All Award
Eco-Hero Award
VOTING CATEGORIES
Craghoppers Outdoor Content Creator – VOTE NOW
Irish Outdoor Experience– VOTE NOW
Audience Choice Award – VOTE NOW
