Outsider Magazine

Words by Maeve Murphy Last year, we lined out for the Kerry Way Ultra Relay as “Bunch of Nutters” an all-woman team competing with one simple idea in mind: to show that a team of women could. Could take on the distance. Could handle the hills. Could race hard. It could belong in a space that still feels, at times, like it needs a few more women standing on the start line.

The Marathon des Sables has long held legendary status in the world of endurance sport. Widely regarded as one of the toughest foot races on Earth, the multi-day race sees competitors cover roughly 250km across the Sahara Desert while carrying everything they need to survive for the week on their backs. It’s a race that has fascinated trail runners, adventurers and endurance athletes for decades, but what is it actually like to experience it from the inside?

Gravel cycling has exploded in popularity over the last few years, and after spending more time exploring forest roads, greenways and mountain passes on two wheels, I’ve come to appreciate that it’s an activity that’s best enjoyed when you don’t overcomplicate it. These aren’t expert tips or hard and fast rules. They’re simply a few lessons I’ve picked up that I’d pass on to anyone thinking about getting into gravel cycling. 1.

There’s never been a better time to buy a gravel bike. There are more options than ever before, depending on what you’re looking for and your budget. However, according to experts, the biggest mistake people make is buying the wrong bike for the type of riding they actually want to do. That became obvious when we recently visited The Sports Room in Wicklow to get fitted for two Orbea gravel bikes. On paper, both bikes looked remarkably similar.

Brought to you by: If you’re looking for a summer escape that doesn’t require a car or a long-haul flight, Westport makes for an ideal weekend base. With train access from Dublin, great food, mountain trails, beaches and a growing wellness scene, it’s easy to put together a low-stress itinerary that leaves plenty of room for slowing down. Friday Evening: Dublin to Westport Finish work, grab your bag and jump on the evening train from Dublin.

Brought to you by: Starting in Dublin, I picked up Conall from Dublin airport and we headed west for a four-day road trip along the Wild Atlantic Way to take advantage of an incredible spell of weather. Passenger sent us out some clothes for the trip and we were tasked with creating a video showcasing the magic of the Wild Atlantic Way. For the trip, we rented a Roadsurfer Cozy Cottage van.

Brought to you by: Ready for the ultimate Irish adventure? It’s time to explore the magical 2,500km coastal route known as the Wild Atlantic Way. The Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland’s biggest success story in recent years. And a quick scroll through the Wild Atlantic Way hashtag (#wildatlanticway) on Instagram will have you daydreaming and drooling at your desk. Recently, Outsider headed on a road trip along a section of this magical coastline.

Irish mountaineer and expedition leader Jason Black has announced that his team will begin their summit push on Mount Everest tonight, with a planned summit attempt scheduled for May 19.

What does it take to build not just a successful outdoor business, but a genuine culture of adventure that lasts for half a century? That is the question at the heart of the latest episode of the Outsider Podcast, sponsored by Great Outdoors. As the iconic Irish retailer celebrates 50 years in business, Matt sits down with Ken and Derek for a conversation that goes far beyond gear and retail.

Join us for a special screening of Ellie Berry’s record-breaking Vandeleur-Lynam Round, followed by a live Q&A with Ellie Berry and Matthew McConnell (Outsider.ie). In 2023, Ellie Berry set out to climb every mountain on the island of Ireland on the Vandeleur-Lynam list, 275 summits over 600m with at least 15m of prominence.