Senior Trail & Accessibility Specialist
gonowsurvey Ltd
"Age and physical ability shouldn't exclude anyone from experiencing Ireland's natural beauty. That's what drives everything I do — making sure every trail is genuinely accessible, not just technically compliant."
From community hiking programmes to shaping national trail standards
Síle's journey into accessible outdoor recreation started in 2010 when she managed a community hiking programme in Cork. She noticed something that bothered her — the lack of properly documented, genuinely accessible trails for older participants. Most routes had accessibility labels, but nobody had actually walked them with older adults to see what real barriers existed.
This observation led her to pursue formal training. She completed a degree in Environmental Management at University College Cork, where she focused her thesis on barrier-free trail design in mountainous regions. The academic foundation mattered, but what really shaped her work was getting her hands dirty — literally walking trails, talking to hikers, identifying what worked and what didn't.
Over the past decade, she's worked with Coillte, the National Parks Service, and several local authorities to assess and upgrade trails across Wicklow, Glenveagh, and the Beara Peninsula. Her breakthrough project — a comprehensive accessibility audit of Devil's Glen Waterfall Loop in 2019 — became the model for similar assessments nationwide. It wasn't just a report. It was a detailed guide that included actual hiking times, specific hazards, seating options, and alternatives for people with different mobility levels.
Today, she's directly shaped over 40 accessible hiking routes across Irish national parks. But numbers don't tell the full story. What matters to Síle is that a 68-year-old with mild arthritis can actually experience the Wicklow Mountains without struggling. That's the real work.
Assessment and development of hiking routes that accommodate older adults and those with mobility considerations. Síle's work goes beyond official accessibility standards — she identifies real-world barriers through hands-on testing with actual trail users.
Specialized knowledge of Wicklow's challenging river gorge terrain, particularly beginner-friendly routes like Devil's Glen Waterfall Loop. She's mapped alternatives, identified hazards, and created detailed guides that help older hikers enjoy these landscapes safely.
Formal training through the Irish Institute of Sport in how older adults experience outdoor environments. This combines understanding aging physiology, psychology of risk, and practical trail modifications that make a real difference.
University degree in environmental management with focus on sustainable outdoor recreation. She balances trail accessibility improvements with environmental protection — ensuring trails don't erode or damage sensitive ecosystems in the process.
Managed outdoor recreation programmes in Cork. First noticed the gap between accessible trail labels and actual accessibility for older participants.
Completed degree at University College Cork with thesis focused on barrier-free trail design in mountainous regions. Provided the technical foundation for her later work.
Began formal assessments for Coillte and National Parks Service. Developed methodology for evaluating trails with actual older hikers, not just on paper.
Completed specialised training through Irish Institute of Sport. Gained formal qualifications in how aging affects outdoor recreation participation and safety.
Completed breakthrough comprehensive accessibility audit of Devil's Glen Waterfall Loop. This project became the national model for similar trail assessments. Created detailed guides, not just checklists.
At gonowsurvey Ltd, leads research and content development focused on accessible outdoor experiences. Oversees 40+ trail assessments across Irish national parks. Mentors emerging specialists in accessible recreation.
University College Cork
Specialization in sustainable outdoor recreation and barrier-free trail design in mountainous regions. 2013.
Irish Institute of Sport
Specialised certification in outdoor recreation for older adults. Covers aging physiology, accessibility assessment, and risk management. 2016.
National Parks Service Ireland
Certified in formal trail accessibility assessment procedures and reporting standards. Used for national trail network evaluation.
In-depth guides for beginner-friendly river gorge trails in Wicklow
Síle's comprehensive guide to this iconic Wicklow waterfall trail. Covers actual hiking times for different fitness levels, hazard identification, accessible rest points, and alternatives for people with mobility concerns.
A detailed look at one of Wicklow's most accessible river valley trails. Síle breaks down elevation profiles, surface conditions, facilities, and why this route works well for older hikers seeking genuine accessibility without compromise.
Síle's assessment of this popular waterfall route, with practical tips for older adults. Covers pacing, where to rest, which sections challenge different mobility levels, and how to safely navigate steeper sections.
She doesn't assess trails from behind a desk. Síle walks every route with older adults at their own pace, identifying barriers that documents miss. She's looking for the real experience, not the theoretical one.
The hikers themselves tell her what matters — where knees hurt, which surfaces are slippery, which rest points actually work. She takes notes, asks follow-up questions, and doesn't dismiss concerns because they don't fit accessibility standards.
She doesn't just label trails as accessible. Síle creates practical guides with real hiking times, elevation profiles, hazard descriptions, and alternatives. Information that actually helps people decide if a route works for them.
Based on what she learns, Síle recommends specific trail modifications — better signage, additional seating, surface improvements, reroutes around hazards. Changes that make trails genuinely more accessible, not just technically compliant.
Have questions about accessible trails in Wicklow? Want to discuss a trail assessment project? Síle works with local authorities, trail managers, and community groups to improve outdoor accessibility across Ireland.
