The Story
Pelagus was born from my genuine wish to broaden the work I began with in Sailing into Wellness where we support people through sailing. At Pelagus we provide individualized and tailored services, to support and involve individuals in building their recovery. By doing this, they take ownership of their recovery now and into the future.
We support people to trust themselves, seeing the value and strength in them. We challenge ourselves to push through the barriers, allowing ourselves to feel vulnerable but safe in a new environment. We connect with nature in many ways: hiking, sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, golfing, and horse riding. Our experiences in nature give us the material to reflect on our own lives.
That’s how Pelagus came to life. I am really looking forward to bringing people on a journey to have the courage and strength to build a new life.
Behind Pelagus
The connection with nature speaks to us. It transforms us in ways that feel effortless. Suddenly, you find yourself deeply connected to a part of yourself that’s been waiting. That part might still cause pain. But you have the acceptance and commitment to observe it, and to transform it.
Sailing the vast seas helped me do this. It changed my life. And my wish is to give others that same experience.
Adventure therapy is not just about physical activity, it’s about engaging with life. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone, facing challenges, and discovering new strengths.
Every hike, paddle, climb, or breath in nature becomes a metaphor for change.
How Pelagus Works
We begin before you arrive. Every guest has a personal conversation with our team before the retreat starts — to understand where you are in your recovery, what you need most, and how to build a programme that is genuinely yours.
During the retreat, you move through a carefully designed sequence of adventure, therapeutic work, and reflection. Every element is chosen to challenge, restore, and equip — not just for the ten days, but for the life you’re returning to.
By the time you leave, you have more than an experience. You have a Recovery Map — a practical, personal plan for the months ahead — and a peer accountability structure that continues beyond departure.
The Team Behind the Programme
Pelagus programmes are delivered by a team of qualified clinicians, therapeutic practitioners, and adventure specialists. Every person working with guests has been selected for their expertise and their understanding of recovery as a whole-life challenge.
Colin Healy | Co-Founder & Programme Director
Jack McMahon | Co-Founder
Cara Byrne | Hiking Psychotherapist & Clinical Specialist in Nature-Based Mental Health
Cara is Ireland’s first Hiking Psychotherapist, integrating clinical psychotherapy with the restorative benefits of nature to support mental health. She holds a Master’s in Integrative Psychotherapy, founded Hike Psych in 2020, and serves as Clinical Lead for Get Up Adventures. Specializing in neurodivergence, burnout, anxiety, trauma, and addiction, she brings a compassionate, evidence-based approach to both individual and group sessions. As a certified mountain professional, Cara safely facilitates these outdoor therapies while drawing on additional training in mindfulness, EMDR, and CBT-E. She is also a recognized expert on nature-based wellbeing, frequently sharing her insights across national media, podcasts, and corporate events.
Daniel Murphy | Dietitian & Apex Nutrition Founder
Dan is a multi-award-winning dietitian and founder of Apex Nutrition, specialising in evidence-based weight management, performance nutrition, and clinical health. He works globally with individuals, gyms, and corporate organisations to deliver practical, sustainable nutrition strategies that fit real life.
Through a structured, evidence-based approach, Dan and his team have supported thousands of clients in achieving sustainable weight loss, improved health markers, and better performance outcomes. His approach combines clinical dietetics with behaviour change to help clients achieve long-term, sustainable results through both in-person and telehealth services.
Tony O’Reilly | Physco Therapist
Tony O’Reilly is the co-author of ‘Tony10’, the bestselling and award-winning book that tells the story of Tony’s gambling addiction and subsequent recovery. Tony has a unique perspective and insight into the issue of problem gambling and its impact on individuals, families, and communities.
He uses his lived experience and his professional training to advocate for more awareness, education, and support for those affected by gambling harm.
Sinéad Pollock | Outdoor Practitioner and Educator
Sinéad Pollock Orr is an outdoor practitioner and educator with over 25 years of experience using nature-based experiences to foster personal growth, wellbeing, and resilience. Grounded in trauma-informed practice, she combines activities like mountaineering and kayaking with mentoring to create safe spaces where individuals can face challenges at their own pace. Alongside co-founding Headspace Adventures to deliver adventure therapy, she has undertaken extensive personal expeditions across Greenland, the Alps, and Scandinavia. Her work with youth and adults is supported by professional outdoor leadership qualifications and advanced academic training, including a Master’s in Mindfulness-Based Wellbeing. Ultimately, Sinéad leverages her calm presence and deep expertise to help people find reflection, recovery, and self-trust in wild places.
Richard Molloy | Recovery Mentor • Ocean & Adventure Guide
Richie Molloy is an Achill Island-based Recovery Mentor and Adventure Guide who uses the healing power of nature and his own lived experience with addiction to help others rebuild their lives. Having moved to the island five years ago to find peace, he discovered that true recovery is about finding a new way to live through honesty, courage, and connection. He facilitates this healing by guiding clients through ocean and nature-based activities like surfing, paddle boarding, e-foiling, and hiking. Grounded in compassion, Richie ensures people feel safe and understood as they use outdoor movement to build confidence and emotional wellbeing. Driven by his belief that a new life is always possible, he helps individuals use the freedom of the sea to reconnect with themselves and thrive.
Gerry Ryan
Gerry Ryan began his career supporting people in recovery as an addiction counsellor with Coolmine Therpauetic Community. Holding many roles from Prison worker, family support and re establishing the Coolmine Day Programme Services He is currently the Service Manager of the Tolka River Project which he set up in 2008 with the support of Coolmine and the Board. Gerry holds several qualifications in the areas of counselling & psychotherapy, addiction counselling, group therapy and education from the ATI, ICHAS, UCD amongst others and is Ireland’s first Community Reinforcement Approach Trainer. Gerry is a regular trainer is addiction/recovery supports including group work, CRA and ACRA delivering many trainings with Dublin Simon Community, Merchants Quay Ireland, Coolmine, the HSE and many other youth and adult services. He holds a special interest in the concept of recovery and its development from trauma, addiction and in the creation of access to holistic and pro social supports to protect and build new pathways.
Whatever brings you here, we’re glad you found us. Every conversation is handled with complete
discretion — no pressure, no obligation, just a quiet and honest conversation about what’s possible.
