Published Work

GUIDEBOOKS

Helen is the author of thirteen hiking guidebooks, covering destinations as diverse as America's Rocky Mountains, Scotland's Highlands and islands, and the European Alps.

Her most recent book, Ireland's Adventure Bucket List: Great Outdoor Experiences, encompasses a wider range of activities, including cycling, sea kayaking and snorkelling.

The critics say:

"Well written and beautifully produced." - IRISH MOUNTAIN LOG

"Indispensable… let this book guide your steps." - IRISH VOICE

"Definitely recommended for hillwalkers new and old." - MOUNTAIN VIEWS

<br><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Ireland's Adventure Bucket List: Great Outdoor Experiences</em> inspires you to try 50 Irish adventures spanning 13 outdoor activities. Collins Press, 2018.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way: A Walking Guide</em> describes the top 30 coastal walks from Donegal to Cork. Collins Press, 2016.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Dublin & Wicklow: A Walking Guide</em> introduces the top 28 hikes in the region. Collins Press, 2014.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Ireland's Best Walks: A Walking Guide</em> features 65 of the country's greatest walks. Collins Press, 2014.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Northern Ireland: A Walking Guide</em> describes the 34 best routes in Northern Ireland. Collins Press, 2012.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Walking in the Alps</em> includes 47 one-day and multi-day routes across six different alpine countries. Lonely Planet, 2004.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;">Helen and her husband Gareth McCormack highlighted 85 walks in <em>Hiking in Ireland</em>. Lonely Planet, 2010.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Hiking in the Rocky Mountains</em> features over 50 trails from across this fabulous mountain range. Lonely Planet, 2002.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;">Helen contributed to the alpine chapters of <em>Walking in France</em>. Lonely Planet, 2004.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Walking in Scotland</em> features 75 top one-day and multi-day routes. Lonely Planet, 2001.</p><br>

Helen's hiking guidebooks. Click a thumbnail to view publication details.

FOCUS: Ireland's Adventure Bucket List

Ireland is a perfect place for adventure activities, and this inspiring guide uncovers new ways to explore its wildest landscapes. Whether you go canoeing, caving, rock climbing or wild swimming, each trip is lavishly illustrated with maps and colour photos.

Published by The Collins Press in 2018, the book costs €19.99 and is available for purchase here.

<br><p style="text-align: center;">Which town can claim the title of Britain's Outdoor Capital? Helen argues that Newcastle in Northern Ireland most deserves the honour. <em>Countryfile</em>, 2017.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;">Frozen Landscapes. Slieve Binnian in the Mourne Mountains was shaped by glaciers, and winter is an ideal time to explore it. <em>Countryfile</em>, 2019.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;">Forming part of Helen's adventure series for the Irish Times, this article espoused the merits of sea kayaking to the Inishkea Islands. <em>Irish Times Magazine</em>, 2018.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;">Helen puts her composure on the line as she joins mountain instructor Iain Millar for a day of sea-stack climbing in Donegal. <em>Mountain World Ireland</em>, 2015.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;">Mountain biking venues are springing up all over Ireland, and the sport is burgeoning in popularity. Helen tells you everything you need to know to give it a try. <em>Mountain World Ireland</em>, 2015.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;">High on the slopes of Ireland's mightiest peak, Lough Cummeenoutghter is the loftiest place for a swim in the country. <em>Irish Times Magazine</em>, 2018.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;">Argentina's Los Glaciares National Park contains some of the world's most dramatic mountains, and is magnet for serious hikers. <em>Walking World Ireland</em>, 2007.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;">Crete is the largest of all the Greek islands, and has some grand scenery to match. Helen recommends a descent of two dramatic gorges. <em>Walking World Ireland</em>, 2009.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;">Organising a trek that lasts a week or more takes research, planning and preparation, but Helen says it's within the grasp of most fit walkers. <em>Walking World Ireland</em>, 2008.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;">Britain's Great Days Out. Helen describes the Causeway Coast Way, which explores Northern Ireland's most celebrated stretch of coastline. <em>Countryfile</em>, 2018.</p><br>

Sample magazine articles. Click a thumbnail for more information.

FOCUS: Mountain World Ireland

magazine

Mountain World Ireland was a quarterly publication that focused on Irish-based activities like mountain biking, rock climbing and hillwalking. It also provided mountain-oriented news, opinion and overseas features. Helen was consulting editor of the magazine, and produced a number of articles for each issue, all lavishly illustrated by great action photography.

MAGAZINE & NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

For twenty years Helen has been providing regular articles for outdoor magazines such as Countryfile, Mountain World Ireland and Walking World Ireland.

All her articles are accompanied by professional-quality photos. Specialist subjects include:

Irish coast and hill walking
overseas adventure activities and destinations
mountain biking
sea kayaking

Helen's work has also appeared in national newspapers such as The Irish Times, The Irish Independent and The Guardian.

COPYWRITING

Over the past fifteen years Helen has worked with a wide range of professional clients, providing inspirational text for both printed and online publications.

Helen prides herself on producing text that is:

thoroughly researched
delivered on time
faithful to the brief
presented in a lively yet authoritative style
accompanied by optional photos as part of a text-and-picture package

Helen's clients say: "Thank you so much for all your hard work. Your projects are always a delight to work on. Hope you’re as pleased with the finished product as we are!" - P ELMORE

<br><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Walking Ireland</em>, a 10,000-word publication commissioned by Failte Ireland in 2006.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Walking in Ireland</em>, a 25-page brochure written for Tourism Ireland in 2004.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Walk Northern Ireland</em>, a 25,000-word guide produced in 2006 for Northern Ireland Tourist Board.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Antrim Hills Way</em>, part of a series of walking guides commissioned by Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland between 2011 and 2014.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Ring of Gullion Way</em>, part of a series of walking guides commissioned by Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland between 2011 and 2014.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Causeway Coast Way</em>, part of a series of guides commissioned by Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland between 2011 and 2014.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Mourne Way</em>, part of a series of walking guides commissioned by Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland between 2011 and 2014.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Lecale Way</em>, part of a series of walking guides commissioned by Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland between 2011 and 2014.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Moyle Way</em>, part of a series of walking guides commissioned by Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland between 2011 and 2014.</p><br>

<br><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Sliabh Beagh Way</em>, part of a series of walking guides commissioned by Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland between 2011 and 2014.</p><br>

Recent copywriting projects. Click a thumbnail for publication details.

FOCUS ON: Waymarked Way series

CLIENT: Outdoor Recreation NI

Between 2011 and 2014, Helen researched and wrote a series of nine different booklets for Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland. Each booklet focused on a two-day walking route and required 2,000 words of description, including a section of quirky facts. The guides are distributed locally via tourist outlets, and can also be downloaded here.

OUTDOOR CONSULTANCY IRELAND

With over twenty years' experience of exploring Ireland's wild places, Helen has built up a wealth of knowledge about the Irish outdoors.

Are you planning an outdoor project and would like to consult Helen about suitable locations, activities and project partners? For more information, please contact her.