Sixteen years guiding older cyclists through Ireland's most beautiful towpaths. Gentle routes, real expertise, genuine results.
The turning point came on a Saturday afternoon near Waterford. Máire was cycling with her mother—a reluctant 67-year-old who'd been mostly sedentary for years. The canal towpath was quiet, the pace was gentle, and by the end of that ride, something shifted. Her mum smiled. Actually smiled. That moment sparked everything that came after.
Máire left general travel journalism behind and pursued formal training. Environmental Science degree from UCC. Then a postgraduate diploma in Sports Tourism from Dublin Institute of Technology. She wanted the credentials to match her passion. Real qualifications, not just enthusiasm.
Cycling route assessment training with the Irish Cycling Federation. Then gerontology studies to understand how aging bodies move, what hurts, what feels safe. She wasn't just writing about cycling anymore—she was learning the science behind why gentle, flat routes matter so much for older cyclists.
Her guide to the Royal Canal Greenway became a bestseller among Irish pensioners. Suddenly, she wasn't unknown anymore. She was the person older cyclists trusted. The one who understood gradients, surface quality, rest stops, and what a 70-year-old actually needs on a five-kilometre ride.
At justsky Ltd, she leads content development for cycling wellness initiatives. Every route recommendation, every article, every guide is tested. Real-world testing with real cyclists from the community. Not assumptions. Not guesses. Evidence and experience.
Specialising in routes that work for older bodies, careful route design, and the practical realities of cycling after 60.
Worked with Waterways Ireland to develop gentle canal-side routes. The Barrow towpath from Carlow to Bagenalstown. The Royal Canal Greenway. Routes that prioritise flat terrain, good surfaces, and accessible rest stops.
Understanding how cycling restores independence, improves fitness, and builds social connection in older adults. She's studied gerontology and combines practical experience with evidence-based health research.
Every route assessed for gradient, surface quality, hazards, and what makes a journey feel genuinely safe. She's certified in cycling route assessment and understands the specific needs of older cyclists.
Author of three published cycling guides. Contributor to national cycling publications. She translates complex route information into clear, practical guidance that actually helps people plan their journeys.
Over 2,000 older cyclists guided through routes she's designed or recommended. She gathers real feedback, identifies what works, and refines recommendations based on genuine user experience.
Practical knowledge about choosing the right bike for older cyclists. Understanding comfort, fit, and maintenance. She knows which bikes work on canal towpaths and which don't.
Age shouldn't be a barrier. Gentle routes exist. Good bikes exist. Support exists. Her job is connecting people to all of it. She's witnessed too many older adults assume cycling isn't "for them" when they've simply never tried a proper towpath ride.
A single pothole, a steep gradient, the lack of a rest bench—these aren't minor issues for older cyclists. They're the difference between a joyful afternoon and a frustrating one. That's why she tests routes herself, gathers real feedback, and won't recommend anything she hasn't verified.
Cycling restores something that can fade with age. The ability to go where you want, under your own power, without relying on others. She's watched that transformation dozens of times. It's profound. It's worth getting right.
Some of her guided rides are solo journeys. But many aren't. Groups of older cyclists meeting regularly, sharing routes, supporting each other. That social element—the friendship, the shared experience—might be just as valuable as the fitness benefit.
University College Cork
Dublin Institute of Technology
Irish Cycling Federation
Dublin City University
Guides and insights on accessible cycling, route planning, and cycling wellness for older adults.
A detailed guide to one of Ireland's most accessible cycling routes. Flat terrain, beautiful scenery, and plenty of rest stops along the way. Perfect for older cyclists looking for a gentle day out.
Read the guideSelecting a bike as an older cyclist is different. This guide covers comfort, fit, gearing, and what to look for when choosing a bike that'll actually make cycling enjoyable.
Read the guideNot everything marketed to cyclists is actually necessary. This guide covers what genuinely matters for safe towpath cycling, from lights to helmets to awareness.
Read the guideReturning to cycling or starting for the first time? This guide covers realistic fitness building, knowing your limits, and how to gradually improve without injury or frustration.
Read the guideQuestions about routes, cycling accessibility, or working together? Máire's always happy to discuss. Reach out through justsky Ltd.
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