Ireland’s Top 15 Bloggers – Health, Wellness, Food & Fitness

Whether you’re in the midst of a fitness journey, starting a new healthy lifestyle or simply trying to make a few smarter choices day-to-day, finding motivation can be tough.

Often the greatest source of inspiration comes from other people. By hearing their stories, finding out what pushes them and seeing their results, it helps us keep focused and shows us if someone else can do it, you can do.

Over the past few years, Ireland’s community of bloggers and digital influencers has been growing at an unstoppable pace; which you’ve probably noticed with the abundance of articles and news stories about our local YouTube celebrities and Snapchat stars. For many, these bloggers and influencers serve as an excellent source of motivation.

As most of them are real people with real lives, families, jobs and similar responsibilities to the rest of us, their channels are a great place to go to get some ideas and tips for taking steps towards a healthier Irish life…

If you’re new to the Irish blogging scene or if you want to find a few more people to follow, here are 15 of our favourites, tackling themes of health, fitness, food and wellness.

1. Joanne Larby – The Make Up Fairy

Joanne is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s biggest blogging stars. She is author to a bestselling book, she presents regular guest fashion and beauty slots on Xpose and, of course, she manages her website and social media channels which rack up hundreds of thousands of followers.

Joanne is an excellent source of fitness inspiration and has completely transformed her body over the past few years. She’s an extremely positive role model for young women, endeavouring to promote body confidence on a daily basis.

2. Rosemary MacCabe

Rosemary MacCabe has been a journalist for many years, writing for The Irish Times and Stellar Magazine. Over the past year, Rosemary has really been on the rise – especially on Snapchat where she has amassed tens of thousands of followers.

Rosemary embarked on a fitness journey last year and is known for her no-holds-barred honesty about the peaks and troughs of her experience – letting her followers know that it’s hard to stay motivated but the pay-off is worth it.

As well as this, Rosemary talks very openly about mental health and in particular about her own experience with depression, medication and therapy.

3. Rozanna Purcell

Rozanna Purcell is one of Ireland’s best known models and triathletes and, in recent years, she has turned her attention to food, with her blog Natural Born Feeder and debut book of the same name. Rozanna advocates a plant based diet and on her website and social media channels, she’s always sharing delicious healthy recipes.

Website: Naturalbornfeeder.com

4. The Happy Pear

The Happy Pear started off as a modest little veg shop in Wicklow but has expanded to become a fully-fledged brand. The business now includes a natural food store, two wholefood cafes and an evening restaurant in Greystones as well as a superfood sprout farm in Kilcoole.

The twins behind the brand also have their own label food production and distribution business, an online shop, a bestselling cookbook and can boast a huge social media following.

Website: thehappypear.ie

5. Ursusla Walsh – Momfitnessdiary

Ursula Walsh is an Irish blogger who originally hails from Mexico. She’s a wife and mother to little boys and, as a qualified Health and Nutrition coach, she’s always giving her followers the best health advice and healthy recipes to try.

She started off by documenting her five stone weight loss journey, but as her channels grew in popularity, she used them as a platform to help others needing to change their lifestyle.

Website: Ursulawalsh.com

6. Stephanie O’Quigley

Stephanie is a multi-award winning blogger who previously worked as the marketing manager for Irish tan brand Cocoa Brown Tan. She is now working and blogging in New York. Stephanie writes about a range of topics but is hugely popular for her posts about her 4 stone weight loss and for sharing her healthy discoveries which motivate her thousands of online followers.

Website: Snappedup.ie

7. Rosanna Davison

Rosanna is one of the most recognisable names on this list, as one of Ireland’s most celebrated models. Over the past few years she has added more strings to her bow, launching a health, fitness and nutrition business.

She has written two books and on her website she brings a tried and tested, scientific evidence-based approach to food, health and wellness, with recipes, articles and tips to enable her followers to reach their highest health potential.

Website: Rosannadavisonnutrition.com

8. Rob Lipsett

Dublin based nutrition and fitness coach is a bit of a YouTube sensation with more   than 80,000 subscribers.

On his channel he posts loads of excellent workouts, as well as Q&As, food and lifestyle tips.
Website: www.lipsettfitness.com

9. Chef Adrian

He might be young, but Chef Adrian is a force to be reckoned with in Ireland’s culinary scene. He’s trained at some of the country’s most renowned restaurants. He holds a culinary degree from the School of Tourism Killybegs and regularly hosts cookery demos up and down Ireland.

He often appears on TV3’s The Seven O’Clock Show and in 2014 he had his own show “Chef Adrian the Craft Butcher Chef”. In October of this year, his new RTE show “Chef Adrian Eats Ireland” debuted.

Chef Adrian has an enormous social media following and his own website packed with recipes and articles to help inspire Irish people to cook real food.

Website: Chefadrian.ie

10. Donal Skeehan

Donal Skehan is an Irish food writer, food photographer and TV presenter who grew up in Howth but is currently making waves in America. He first started making a name for himself with his hugely popular blog “The Good Mood Food Blog”. Since then, his career has gone from strength to strength and he has a number of hugely successful cook books under his belt.

Website: Donalskehan.com
11. Pat Divilly

Pat is an Irish fitness expert, author and entrepreneur. He too has a notable social media following, exceeding 250,000 and has even been acknowledged by Facebook C.O.O Sheryl Sandberg for his use of social media. After struggling with his first personal training business, Pat started a small fitness bootcamp on his local beach in Galway which soon grew to become the largest fitness community in the country.

Website: Patdivilly.com

12. Nicola Halloran – The Wonky Spatula 

Nicola is the name behind the popular food blog, The Wonky Spatula where she shares delicious paleo, gluten free, dairy free and vegan recipes.

Nicola is passionate about teaching people how to feed themselves healthy, wholesome and nutritious food, taking her readers on a journey to a healthier lifestyle.

Website: Thewonkyspatula.com

13. Indy Power 

Indy has a passion for food which she channels and shares on her blog The Little Green Spoon and in her cookbook of the same name.

She studies Nutrition and Health Coaching at IINH, so she knows what she’s talking about and her recipes are easy to replicate for you and the family.

Website: Thelittlegreenspoon.com

14. Melanie Murphy 

You might not have heard of Melanie Murphy, but if you have teenagers in the family, they’ll know exactly who she is.

Melanie is a full-time YouTuber with almost half a million subscribers to her channel. She creates and uploads videos on a wealth of topics from beauty and fashion to sexuality and relationships, but she’s become known for her very popular ‘What I Eat In A Day’ videos where she promotes a balanced lifestyle and attitude to food, after overcoming her own struggles with eating disorders.

YouTube Channel: Melanie Murphy

15. Alison Canavan

Alison is another model turned health guru. After a gruelling 18 year modelling career and a battle with postnatal depression, Alison turned her attention to finding happiness and mental health. She is now one of Ireland’s foremost parenting, health and wellbeing specialists.

She also has a qualification in fitness nutrition coaching and has just graduated with distinction in Nutrition and Health Coaching from Irish Institute of Nutrition and Health (IINH), where she is continuing her studies in Nutritional Science and Therapeutics.

On top of all that, she found the time to write a bestselling book, ‘Minding Mum’ which encourages mothers to practice self-care.

Website: Alisoncanavan.com

Who are your favourite Irish bloggers and influencers? Let us know on social media by using the hashtag #myIrishlife

18 Ridiculous Health Tips Your Mammy Probably Told You

Mammies really are the fountain of all knowledge. They know everything there is to know about everything and they don’t hesitate to give you their opinion – regardless of whether you ask for it or not.

The topic of health seems to be a particular area of expertise among the Irish mother. Our mammies know every symptom of every illness and they can tell you the cure for any kind of ailment. Somehow they know more than even the most seasoned GP.

However, as you get a little older and learn a bit more about the world, you start to realise that your mammy’s advice isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and doesn’t seem to be based on any actual science…

Here are 18 of the most common ‘health tips’ your mammy probably told you as a child:

1. “Ah sure, a glass of flat 7up will settle your stomach.”

 

2. “Would ye take your coat off you or it’ll be no use to you when you go outside.”

 

3. “Don’t be sitting on that cold ground or you’ll get a chill in your kidneys!”

 

4. “You have to starve a fever and feed a cold….Or is it the other way around? Oh, it doesn’t matter. Eat some toast and you’ll feel better.”

 

5. “Are ye mad? Don’t go out in the cold with wet hair, you’ll catch your death.”

 

6. *To a pregnant lady* “Oh, heartburn eh? He’s gonna be a hairy one!”

 

7. “Sit back from that TV or your eyes will go square.”

 

8. “Put a hat on. Don’t you know all your heat escapes through your head?!”

 

9. “Don’t read in that dim light. You’ll ruin your eyesight.”

 

10. “Teething baby? A drop of whiskey on her gums will stop the howling.”

 

11. “Don’t eat cheese before bed. You’ll have nightmares!”

 

12. “Eat some carrots. They’ll help you see in the dark.”

 

13. “Eat your crusts. They’ll give you curly hair.”

 

14. “You wouldn’t be going swimming after eating. You’ll get a cramp! Wait half an hour sure.”

 

15. “If you swallow that chewing gum it won’t come out for seven years.”

 

16. “Don’t make that face. If the wind changes, it’ll stay that way.”

 

17. “Would you stop cracking your knuckles, it’ll give you arthritis.”

 

18. “Ah now. It’s nothing a cup of tea won’t sort out.”

Irish Life is one of Ireland’s leading financial services companies with over 1 million customers. For over 75 years, we’ve been helping people in Ireland look after their life insurance, pension and investment needs.

8 Alternative Exercise Classes In Ireland That Everyone Should Try

The same thing happens every year. January rears its big grey head and we decide it’s time to give this whole ‘new year, new me’ thing a go. We take out gym memberships with great intentions but after two too many spin classes, we slowly give up and decide this exercising stuff just isn’t for us.

If the mere thought of spin bikes, treadmills, circuits and weights makes your body ache, trying something a little bit out of the box might be the thing to motivate you to get moving.

We’ve taken a look around Ireland to find the best alternative exercise classes that everyone should try at least once. From AntiGravity yoga to Boogiebounce, there’s a new activity out there for anyone who wants to put a new spin on traditional exercising.

1. Rock Climbing

It sounds like the kind of exercise that only thrill-seeking types would throw themselves into, but rock climbing is an excellent workout for people of all fitness levels. Awesome Walls in Dublin and Cork are two of Europe’s largest and most cutting edge indoor climbing centres that even the most inexperienced climbers will love. The instructors are attentive and ensure that you have a challenging yet rewarding experience.

Details: You can book a taster session online for €25 per adult or €20 per junior. Visit Awesomewalls.ie.

2. Clowning Around

Tap into your inner circus performer with some ariel and acrobatic classes. This is a great way to get fit and gain a pretty impressive skill set.  TakingFlight.ie offers a range of different classes such as; vertical acrobatics using a piece of fabric or rope, as well as trapeze and hoop acrobatics.

Details: You can view classes and book online. Individual sessions start at €16.50, depending on which activity you’d like to try. Taster packages are available, with €20 off a six week term fee. Visit Takingflight.ie

3. Boogie Bounce

Who doesn’t (perhaps secretly) love a good old bounce on a trampoline? Well Boogie Bounce takes this fun and turns it into a seriously intense but enjoyable workout that burns around 800 calories per session. It’s a complete exercise class on a mini trampoline with a safety bar, choreographed to pumping music. It’s guaranteed to make you sweat and laugh in equal measure.

Details: Currently there are classes available in Dublin, Swords and Cork, with new locations opening up all around the country.  Boogie Bounce has a welcome offer of €18 for your first two classes. Visit Boogiebounce.ie.

4. AntiGravity Yoga 

If regular yoga seems a little vanilla for your tastes, why not take it to the next level with an AntiGravity version? This is a fitness regime which combines arial acrobatics with the disciplines of yoga to enhance your agility. Using an AntiGravity hammock, you learn dance, Pilates and calisthenics techniques, whilst changing your relationship with the ground and learning more about your body.

Details: Classes are available all around Ireland, for more information visit Antigravityyoga.ie.

5. Capoeira

Capoeira is a unique art form, originating from Brazil. It combines music, dance, acrobatics and self-defence, creating a workout that’s as much for your body as it is for your mind. It helps improve your strength, balance, co-ordination and fitness abilities.

Details: There are various Capoeira classes available around Ireland. Visit Capoieraireland.com or Capoeira.ie for more information.

6. Ballet Barre 

If you’ve ever dreamt of being a prima ballerina, this is your chance to make it a reality. Adult barre classes have been growing in popularity and emerging all around the country. Modern barre exercises typically combine pilates and ballet disciplines to give your body the workout of a lifetime. Although it might look simple, it’s an intense session that will really improve your flexibility and strength.

Details: There are barre classes available all around Ireland at local pilates, yoga and dance studios. Platinum Pilates in Rathmines and Sandymount offer two introductory classes for €25. Visit Platinumpilates.ie/barre.

7. Parkour 

If you’ve ever witnessed Parkour, it’s not something you’d typically consider as an exercise but it’s a great way to burn those calories. Parkour is a non-competitive sport which involves using your body and the environment to overcome any urban obstacle in your way, through strength, speed and agility. It’s an incredibly impressive skill and one that anyone can get involved with.

Details: Parkour classes are offered around Ireland. DanceIreland.ie provide a six week course for €50.

8. Hip Hop Dancing

Dancing is an excellent way to get fit, burn calories and tone your muscles. But the idea of attending an actual dance class can seem a little daunting. Hip Hop classes, however, have a more laid back and informal feel, which makes them much more appealing for those who might feel a little self-concious busting a move in front of a room full of strangers.

Details: Hip hop classes are available all around Ireland. Search online for one in your local area, or visit Justdance.ie which has a variety of different dance classes across the country.

Which alternative exercises have you tried?Let us know on social media by using the hashtag #myIrishlife