Online Lives: Meet the blogger who documents her travels around Ireland

Cavan native Helen Leddy uses her blog, galavantingireland.com, to highlight her travels around Ireland.

“I have visited every continent, but I still get goosebumps at some of the scenery that we have in our own country,” she says.

“I love getting recommendations on places to visit and new experiences in Ireland, and I love telling people about them, too.”

Helen, who works full-time in the hospitality industry, says she likes to post about “places to visit in Ireland, places to stay, bargains to be had, new experiences, and anything related to getting out there and enjoying our beautiful country.

“I’m a big believer in holidaying at home, as well as abroad. Ireland can be expensive, but there are deals out there. I started camping in different places this summer and the facilities out there are amazing, for as little as €10 a night.”

She is also undertaking a climbing project.

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“I’m in the process of climbing the highest mountain in each county. I find getting out there, walking or hiking in all weathers, is great for the head and gives you a great sense of achievement, at the end,” Helen says.

She loves hearing about people who have visited somewhere based on her advice.

“It’s a fantastic feeling, when you hear people have visited a place on your recommendation,” Helen says.

It’s great, when you see people liking and sharing your blogs. It’s all about sharing information with others and that’s never a bad thing, in my opinion.

Helen uses Facebook to promote her blog, but says more people are switching to Instagram.

“It is moving more to Instagram.

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"Stories are big at the moment and they are the fastest way to let people see what you are doing and where you are,” she says.

But it is challenging for Helen to make time to write while she works full-time, though blogging has had many other benefits.

It is very time-consuming to keep on top of. I just do it as a hobby, so getting the time to write can sometimes be tough.

“It has made me a lot more social. I have learned so much about digital marketing, also, and what works on social media and what doesn’t.

“I have been able to use this in my career in the hospitality industry, also.”

She loves getting feedback on her writing.

“I get a great feeling when I hear someone has read a blog or article I have written, or even if someone asks me to write a piece for them,” she says.