Fire in a cold climate. Chris taking on the roll of stoker during a trek.
Wow ! Bow wow even. Chris with a team of dogs in another of his adventures.
A slightly more vernacular look to this scene as man and an equally sturdy bike take a break.
That’s Chris Barrett and his surroundings could have been Brosna or his native Knocknagoshel this time last year, But this image was created in the Arctic during one of his expeditions there.
Knocknagoshel born adventurer – and much more – Chris Barrett is one of the nominees for the 2026 Sport Ireland Outsider of the Year Award.
Chris is a creator of social media content, a videographer, photographer and spoken-word storyteller.
He blends ecology, history and culture to help people understand the land beneath their feet and the species we share it with in both urban settings and rooted in the wild corners of Ireland.
Chris describes his work as a way of lowering the barrier to nature. Through video, text and imagery, he explores biodiversity through a uniquely Irish cultural lens, connecting folklore, heritage, wildlife and lived experience.
He is deeply passionate about how community knowledge and local stories can unlock a national understanding of the natural world.
Championing Action and Positivity
His content champions positivity and action: from highlighting grassroots change in his own community through the Knocknagoshel Environmental Association, to inspiring schoolchildren via his work with The Heritage Council.
Chris shows his audience, young and old, that protecting nature begins at home, and often with very small steps.
In a year where he travelled to the Arctic for the second time, his most precious moment happened back in his local woods of Gleann na Ginte, capturing the return of the red squirrel, now flourishing again thanks to habitat restoration and native planting.
Having stood within metres of polar bears, Chris still counts that glimpse of a little red tail as the highlight of his year, proof that wild miracles happen close to home.
Pitting his Experiences and Talents
Chris is now pitting his talents against like-minded, free spirited individuals in the the Sport Ireland Outsider of the Year Award.
The awards will be decided by the numbers of votes garnered by the contestants and the awards take place on February 11th 2026 at The Helix in Dublin.
The organisers of the competition describe it as follows:
“Exceptional, purposeful, and defining of a moment, the Sport Ireland Outsider of the Year Award represents the very summit of the Irish outdoors over the past twelve months.
Reshaping What We Believe
“This category brings together individuals whose achievements transcended categories, performances and projects that didn’t just impress, but reshaped what we believe is possible in Ireland’s wild places.”
“Whether setting new records, redefining limits, navigating extreme environments, or using adventure as a platform for change, the nominated individuals engaged with the outdoors at the highest level — physically, mentally and emotionally.
Leaving a Mark
“Taken together, their stories form a portrait of an extraordinary year in Irish adventure.
From mountains and oceans to roads less travelled, their journeys remind us that the outdoors is not just a backdrop for achievement, but a force that shapes character, purpose and legacy.
This is the ultimate recognition of those who didn’t just step outside — they left a mark.”
You can vote for Chris Barrett through the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeT3ZxHebsj-o-dI_P8V7zNfev77mf5z835xprQMN1N3hmcw/viewform
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