CURRENT MISSION

Learn how to be a more sustainable and happy person

ABOUT ME

I'm an Irish guy living with my boyfriend in Berlin. I love this city for it's openness and accessibility. Here more than anywhere I've lived, do I feel I can enjoy the best things in life - whether that's cooling off in a lake with friends on a hot summer's day, going to a friend's art opening, eating incredible cuisine, attending one of the many festivals (the carnival of culture, CSD and the winter markets are favourites of mine). There's a huge amount of nature in the city and folks committed to make the transition to a sustainable future, which I love. Across the city are examples of circular economy factories, tool-libraries, community gardens, repair cafes and many more uplifting projects that show you that things can change.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love meeting new people, sharing new experiences and travelling. I think CS is a wonderful way to cut through a lot of touristy rubbish when going to a new place and helps you to see the real people and culture, and make new friends in the process

Interests

I work in environmental education and I'm currently working towards an action research PhD which mean I get to use my practice to develop theories about how to improve my practice and then investigate them. I'm currently looking at how people conceptualise their futures.
I do a lot of work with schools and gardening (hence the pics) and my name means little old wise storyteller in Irish - which is great cause I love storytelling!

• culture
• education
• vegetarian
• gardening
• traveling
• scuba diving
• rock climbing
• teaching
• lakes

Music, Movies, and Books

As a teen I was all about singer-songwriter stuff - Tori Amos, Joni Mitchell, etc. I've since expanded to broader tastes and generally can get into everything bar super heavy death metal or hardcore dance music. Perfect running music would be Lemonjelly.

Movies: Top 5 - All About my mother, Heavenly Creatures, Elvira Mistress of the Dark, Clue, Shirley Valentine

Currently exploring the old film noirs of the 40s & 50s, recommendations welcome

books - love graphic novels - like sandman, watchmen, transmetropolitan
Authors: Neil Gaiman, Storm Constantine, Robin Hobb, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C Clarke, George Orwell, John Wyndham, Aldous Huxley

Love Utopian and Dystopian books

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Seeing the Northern Lights in arctic circle Finland.

Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef

Climbing through Frangipani to the top of the Vhat Phou Temple in Champasak, Laos and looking at the sunset from a hammock in the 4000 islands a few days later.

Seeing, from a raised platform, the circular lakes of a perfectly preserved raised bog in Torrensuo Finland

Teach, Learn, Share

Good with plants, I can help people start with the basics of gardening. Simple tricks for a balcony garden in a city.

I teach sustainability in two universities here in Germany, so if you've any queries that way, I'd be happy to help.

Overall if you've any questions re: giving presentations also feel free to ask me.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Hearty vegetarian meals

How to tell Irish fairytales

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Bolivia, Cambodia, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Guatemala, Hungary, Laos, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Russian Federation, Thailand, United States, Viet Nam, Zambia

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Germany, Ireland