At some point last year I began doing a monthly round up over on the Tough Soles Instagram account where I mention the different things published that month, as well as features or interesting outdoor related things I’d come across. Reflecting on these posts, I’ve realised they’re somewhat reminiscent of the Coffee with Tough Soles videos Carl and I used to make.

I’ve decided to expand on this format here. So here are some notes from the last couple of months, starting with:

The Outsider Podcast Episode 5: Beyond the Trail with Ellie Berry

Back in April I got to sit down with Matt from Outsider to chat all things outdoors on the new Outsider Podcast.

“In Episode 5 of the Outsider Podcast, we sit down with hiker, photographer, and passionate outdoor advocate Ellie Berry best known for walking all 42 of Ireland’s National Waymarked Trails.
With her trademark warmth, honesty and curiosity, Ellie opens up about how the outdoors has shaped her life, and what it truly means to be an outsider”

I think this is the first podcasts/interviews where I managed to somewhat explain the connections between Tough Soles, my art research masters, and some of the other little bits that come together to let me lead such an outdoor focused life. Listen (or watch) back to our conversation on Spotify or YouTube.

The Cavan Way FKT

I will happily be the first to say - I am not a fast runner. However, in April I ran the Cavan Way, setting the first women’s time on the FKT website. This year I’m hoping to tick off a few more Irish trails on the FKT website that don’t have a registered women’s time to increase the visibility of women running Irish trails.

If I’m honest, I was pretty tired on this day out, and in general I feel like both the men’s and women’s times are quite doable. So if there are any trail runners out there looking to head off the beaten path, this might be a nice little wander.

Cavan Way notes:

The Cavan Way route has changed in sections from the original route that was uploaded to the FKT. You can find updated maps on the Sport Ireland website (or download my GPX file here). Please respect the slight change in routing, as the previous land may no longer be open to walkers/runners. In general, all changes to routes are to improve a trail.

I started at the Beara Breifne Way info board in Dowra beside the bridge, and finished at the Beara Breifne Way info board in the middle of Blacklion. The route is just shy of 24km, with 540m of gain when running from South to North. An easy mix of boreens, by-roads and rolling farmland, it's a lovely route to tick off if you're in the area.

However, for some, this trail might be a bit too road heavy. I didn’t mind the mix, and the beauty of the Cavan Burren Park made up for it.

A note for anyone running shortly after me - there is still extremely extensive storm damage from last winter in the Cavan Burren park, with the trees (almost) impassable (see final photo above).

See you on the next one ✌️

The Camino Frances 2025

For the month of May (and not a small part of June) I walked the Camino Frances with my Dad. We covered 808km over 34 days, which includes 2 rest days. We started in the traditional St. Jean Pied de Port, and took a couple of alternative routes along our way to Santiago de Compostela.

Back on day 17, I wrote in my journal of the trip:

“You don’t walk the Camino for the trail - I can think of dozens of better trails around Europe. You walk it for the people, and the thousands of people who have gone before you. For the simplicity of life - walk, write, rest, repeat. You walk for the time to reflect, or the time to be with someone, or to remember someone. For the shared hardship, twined with the knowledge that it is also shared joy and shared strength. You lean on others, and they lean on you. Every whispered greeting in passing is a recognition of what is done, and what is ahead of us. Your own candle does not diminish from the lighting of others …”

As not a very social person, the fact that I enjoyed meeting and being with so many people every day is testament to just how welcoming everyone is, and how much incredible work is done by thousands of volunteers every day.

I’ve so many photos to go through, and so many journal entries to process. Being home again, time is suddenly flying by!

Find my gear review and Q&A video in this recent website article.

Personal achievement: I didn’t get sunburnt while walking and travelling for the total 39 days away!

National Outdoor Recreation Conference 2025

I was invited to speak on the Benefits of Outdoor Recreation Panel at the National Outdoor Recreation Conference in Limerick at the end of June. Thanks to the Dept. RCD&G and Comhairle na Tuaithe for both organising and hosting a fantastic conference. In general the sentiment from all the speakers was of optimism for the Irish outdoors, and I left the day feeling excited for whats to come for our beautiful island.

Book of the Month(s): The Way of St. James by John Brierley

Finally - this guidebook by John balanced sharing detailed info, little jokes and daily reflections so well. We walked most of the stages recommended by this book, which are quite similar to the stages recommended by the different tourist/information offices.

Amazing to think that one of the most prolific camino guides was written by an Irishman!

Tough Soles YouTube

During April - June I published four videos on YouTube:

Since then I’ve shared a Q&A video, and I’ve at least one more camino video planned, which is everything I filmed while walking. I’m hoping to get to document more of the County High Points of Ireland this year, so those videos will be upcoming.

If you’ve any trails or videos you’d like to see on Tough Soles, email me or message me on Instagram with your ideas!