Tales and Trails

Gavan Hennigan is an extreme sports athlete who overcame huge personal adversity to live an extraordinary life. As we walk the Tramline Loop in Howth in County Dublin together, he tells us about his battles with addiction and how he got sober. He also describes his struggles coming out as gay as we walk one of the most gorgeous coastal walks on this side of the country.

Stefanie is an award-winning author and screenwriter. Having created the hit comedy-drama Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope, she was catapulted to international success when the show was picked up by Netflix. She joins us on the Rock on Thorabh Loop in County Tipperary and tells us about her writing career, what she loves about returning to Ireland and how her hit show came out of her want to see female friendships represented on TV.

From humble beginnings, Andy Lee has gone on to reach the highest success in his chosen field but maintained a grounded attitude to life. As he walks the Sheep’s Head Lighthouse Loop in beautiful West Cork, he tells us about the highs and lows of his incredible career. He tells us about some of the most significant moments in both his personal and professional life.

Camogie All-Ireland medallist and TV personality explains her passion for women’s sport to us as she joins us on the Slieve Foye Loop in Carlingford, County Louth. Anna tells us about how she has seen women’s sport progress over the last few years, and what can be done to keep up the momentum as we walk towards the highest point in the Cooley mountains.

Michelin-star chef Jp McMahon is known for his no-holds-barred attitude. He joins us as we walk one of the most remote trails in the country:  the Bothy Loop in Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park, Letterkeen, Co. Mayo. He tells us about the reality of life in the kitchen and the pressures that come with owning and running his Michelin-star restaurant (Aniar in Galway city).

Author, chef and entrepreneur Finn Ni Fhaolain joins us on a breathtaking Donegal walking trail: the Glencolmcille Loop. In a time when sustainability is at the forefront of many people’s minds, Finn shares with us her passion for living sustainably and gives us her top tips on how to live our lives in a way that’s kind to us and the planet. She also tells us about her incredibly varied career, from marine biologist to cafe owner before the age of 30!

We took on the Killeshandra Loop in County Cavan and were joined by one of the most influential and well-known street artists in Dublin. Maser’s work lights up the walls of the capital with colourful murals that embody a seminal time in Ireland. He chats to us about his struggles in school, finding himself as an artist and his love for nature and escaping the city.

We were joined by podcaster Georgie Crawford as we took on the Lough Easkey Loop in County Sligo. Georgie has had quite a few tough years, having been diagnosed with cancer in 2017, six months after having her first baby. Now a beacon of self-care and wellness, Georgie tells us about her diagnosis, going through treatment and her new found appreciation for family and the small things in life.

On this episode of Tales and Trails, model turned wellness coach Alison Canavan joins us on the Kinnitty Castle Loop in County Offaly. Alison was launched into the world of modelling when she was just a teenager and chats about the highs and lows of that lifestyle. Alison explains to us why she lives a more settled life and debates as to whether or not she’d let her daughter get into modelling.

Entrepreneur and All-Ireland champ Philly McMahon takes on the Rinmaher Forest Trail in Portumna, County Galway on this episode of Tales and Trails. Philly describes what it was like growing up in Ballymun and tells us about how the school system didn’t work for him growing up. Having returned to education later in life to repeat the Leaving Cert and complete a degree in DCU, Philly has gone onto become a successful athlete and entrepreneur and now gives back to the community he grew up in.

On this episode of Tales and Trails, national treasure Sonia O’Sullivan joins us on the beautiful Mangan Loop in Tinahely, County Wicklow. Sonia explains to us how she’s always had a hard-working attitude and how it got her to where she is today. She also describes the highs and lows of her incredible career and talks about the incredible moment when her daughter beat her in a race.