Máire O'Sullivan
Senior Cycling & Accessibility Correspondent
16 years documenting Ireland's canal towpaths and creating accessible cycling routes for older adults. Specialist in flat, lock-friendly rides across the Midlands.
How I Got Here
Máire talks about her journey from recreational cyclist to accessibility advocate, and why canal routes matter for older riders.
What sparked your interest in canal cycling?
It was 2008. I cycled the entire Grand Canal on a whim, basically — no real plan, just wanted to see where it went. What struck me wasn't the scenery (though that's brilliant), it was realizing how many people had no idea these routes existed. Older cyclists especially. They'd given up cycling because they thought they needed hills and adventure. The canal showed me there's a whole other way to do it.
You studied geography at UCC. How did that shape your approach?
Geography teaches you to actually look at landscape — the why behind what you see. Not just "nice view," but why that lock's positioned there, how the towpath surface changes, where shade comes from at different times of day. That stuff matters enormously to someone on a bike. I learned early on that good cycling guides aren't about being poetic. They're about real details. Gradient. Surface. Water access. Whether there's a café at the halfway point. That's what I focus on.
Your work with Offaly County Council and the Irish Canals Restoration Trust — what did you learn?
That infrastructure exists but nobody's telling the story properly. The Tullamore to Daingean route is genuinely flat. The locks are manageable. The surfaces are solid. But there's this gap between "it exists" and "people actually using it." I spent years mapping, photographing, talking to riders — both young and older — to understand what actually matters. When my guide got picked up by Irish Geographic in 2015, suddenly people started paying attention. That's when I realized guides aren't just nice-to-have. They're how people discover possibilities.
What drives your work now at telesystemeenergie?
Honestly? The conviction that age shouldn't be a barrier. I've met so many people who stopped cycling at 60 or 65 because they thought that was it. Then they get on a canal route and remember why they loved it. That's not small. That's reclaiming something. At telesystemeenergie, I'm creating guides that don't just list information — they build confidence. They say, "You can do this. Here's exactly what to expect." That matters.
Education & Experience
A decade and a half of formal training, hands-on experience, and real-world cycling knowledge.
Degree in Geography
University College Cork
2004
Focused on landscape geography and recreation management. Thesis: "Accessibility and Recreation in Irish Waterway Corridors."
16 Years Cycling Journalism
Freelance & Staff Positions
2008–Present
Documented 40+ routes across Irish canals and towpaths. Specialisation: accessible routes for older cyclists and adaptive recreation.
Irish Geographic Feature
Publication Recognition
2015
"Midlands Canal Cycling: The Flat Route Revolution." Established authority on accessible cycling across Irish waterways.
Offaly County Council
Advisory & Research Work
2010–2018
Mapped cycling infrastructure, consulted on accessibility standards, developed promotional materials for towpath routes.
Irish Canals Restoration Trust
Collaborative Research
2012–Present
Worked with restoration teams to document canal conditions, assess cycling suitability, and create rider resources.
telesystemeenergie Ltd
Senior Correspondent
2020–Present
Creates in-depth cycling guides and accessibility resources. Current focus: Grand Canal and Midlands waterway networks.
Why Guides Matter
No Shortcuts. No Theory.
I've cycled every route I write about. Multiple times. In different seasons. At different times of day. You can't write about a towpath from a map — you need to know how the surface actually feels, where the wind comes from, what the light's like at 10 AM on a Tuesday.
That's why my guides include specifics. Not "nice scenery" but "watch for loose gravel near lock 8." Not "interesting route" but "two steady climbs after Tullamore, then flat for 6km." Not "suitable for older cyclists" but "wide surface, regular rest points, no technical sections, accessible toilets at Daingean."
Age Isn't a Limitation
I've watched too many people retire from cycling because they thought it was a young person's activity. The reality? Some of my best rides have been with people in their 70s and 80s. They just need routes that don't assume they're training for something. Routes that say: "You can do this. Enjoy it. Take your time."
That's what I build. Not easier routes — honest routes. Routes that know what they are and don't pretend to be something else.
Across Irish canals and waterways
Since 2008, cycling journalism and accessibility
Personally surveying routes for accuracy
Featured in cycling and travel media
What I Know Best
Deep expertise in accessible cycling, canal infrastructure, and routes that work for older riders.
Canal Lock Systems
Understand how locks work, what makes them cyclist-friendly, and how to navigate them safely. The difference between a lock you can manage and one that's stressful comes down to design details most guides miss.
Gradient & Surface Assessment
I evaluate routes by the metrics that matter: actual slope angles, surface types (tarmac vs gravel vs paving), cambering, and drainage. Not "hilly" or "easy" — specific, measurable conditions.
Adaptive Recreation Planning
How to make cycling accessible for people with varying fitness levels, mobility constraints, or simply age-related changes. Routes that work because they're designed with real people in mind.
Irish Waterway Infrastructure
Comprehensive knowledge of the Grand Canal, Royal Canal, and regional networks. I know the history, current conditions, restoration efforts, and practical cycling realities of each route.
Route Planning for Seniors
What makes a route work for older cyclists: adequate rest stops, accessible facilities, clear signage, varied terrain that keeps things interesting without being punishing.
Practical Cycling Guidance
Real advice about gear, safety, weather preparation, and what actually happens when you're out on a route. I write from experience, not assumptions.
Signature Guides
A few of the detailed routes and guides that define Máire's approach.
Grand Canal Towpath: Tullamore to Daingean
Comprehensive guide to the flat, accessible 30km route through Offaly. Includes lock details, surface conditions, rest stops, and exactly what to expect.
Understanding the Lock System
How Irish canal locks work, how to navigate them safely on a bike, what to watch for, and why some locks are more cyclist-friendly than others.
Safety Gear & What to Bring
Practical checklist of gear, clothing, and supplies for canal cycling. Written for older riders and those returning to cycling after a break.
Explore the Routes
Browse Máire's detailed guides to canal cycling for seniors. Start with the Grand Canal route or explore the complete collection.