Our Expert Staff

Ken Costigan

Ken is the Co-Owner / Co-Director of Great Outdoors and Columbia Store Dublin. Starting back in 1985 as a Saturday boy in the camping department, Ken has been working non stop since then at Great Outdoors. Ken's biggest outdoors achievement was when he summited Mount Elbrus in Russia. As a former scout with a passion for engineering too, Ken is rarely seen too far from his trusty Leatherman, signed by Tim Leatherman himself.

Derek Moody

Derek is the Co-Owner / Co-Director of Great Outdoors and Columbia Store Dublin, coming up through the scouting system Derek has always had an eye for adventure, participating in almost every outdoor sporting activity Derek loves the challenge. Derek's biggest outdoor boast would be Off-Piste skiing in Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe or cross-country skiing in Norway. He's walked most mountains in Ireland and most recently achieved his life ambition of climbing Kilimanjaro.

Paul Donnelly

Paul works for our Corporate team, and has over 35 years of kayaking experience and a love for the outdoors. Using all of his experience, Paul makes sure Government agencies and outdoor adventure groups are supplied with the best of the best that Great Outdoors has to offer. Paul's favourite thing about working at Great Outdoors is all the amazing places he has seen along the way. Paul is also a high ranking black belt in Kempo karate and is known to be a DJ of some regard too.

Ian Conneely

Ian manages all departments on our shop floor, with an interest in all things outdoors Ian has a well-rounded list of experience from running, hiking, biking, climbing, and snowboarding. Ian's favourite thing about working at Great Outdoors is getting to work with and sell all the cool gear. Ian's biggest outdoors achievement was his 130km, 9-day unsupported backcountry walk around Stewart Island off the coast of New Zealand.Ian's favourite item we sell is the MSR Windburner 1.0 because nothing is better than a quick meal and hot drink after a long days trip. 

Paul O'Neill

Paul works across a large range of departments in the store, but, mainly known for his role as E-commerce Manager. With a background in the scouts of 37 year it’s no surprise Paul has such a vast knowledge of the outdoors. Paul’s biggest achievement is learning to swim as an adult which is up there with his first Liffey descent canoe race finish and surviving a fall into Pinnacle Gully on Benbulben. Paul’s favourite thing about working at the Great Outdoors is hearing about everyone’s great trips and adventures both from colleagues and customers. Paul's favourite item we sell is the Snugpak Softie sleeping bag saying while using it he’s “never ever had a cold night”

Mark Smith

Mark manages all departments on our shop floor, with 13 years of experience in the outdoors stores industry Mark is an inspirational leader. Mark's favourite thing about working at Great Outdoors is "Everyone who shops in Great Outdoors is going on an adventure, big or small. Being able to help people to enjoy these adventures is a great feeling". Mark's biggest outdoors boast was when he trekked throughout Australia and New Zealand, also taking part in Gaelforce adventure races. Mark's favourite item we sell is the Icebreaker Baselayers because "Merino wool is the most amazing natural fibre and able to handle a wide variety of conditions".

Ben Costigan

Ben works in our Web department, Bens day to day consists of assisting with order fulfilment online, product upload and digital marketing. Bens outdoor experience comes from his years spent in Scouts, alongside this he is first aid trained and a qualified lifeguard. Ben's favourite thing about working at the Great Outdoors is the staff and customers. Ben's biggest outdoors achievement was skiing the winter Olympic alpine routes in Innsbrück. His favourite Item we sell is the Rab Electron Pro, "extremely warm for the weight and size, extremely packable and the hydro down keeps it perfect after rain"

Jessie Garland

Jessie works in our clothing, watersports and travel department, her day-to-day tasks consist of restocking the floor and helping customers find what they need, Jessie's favourite thing about working at Great Outdoors is the "good times with the staff and I also enjoy helping the customers". Jessie's biggest outdoors achievement was when she climbed Carrauntoohil or when she climbed Mount Batur an active volcano in Bali. Jessie's favourite items that we sell is the Mountain Equipment Saltoro which has kept her 100% dry even in the worst rain!

Roel Van Schagen

Roel works in our footwear department, he has a huge interest in outdoor footwear and is great to talk to about hiking boots. Roel's previous outdoor experience comes from his time spent in the scouts. Roel’s favourite thing about working at Great Outdoors is being surrounded by outdoor products that he loves. Roel’s biggest outdoor achievement would be hiking Mont Blanc. His favourite item we sell is the Salewa Mountain Trainer due to its comfort.

Nathan Browne

Nathan works in our Stores department, he deals with taking in stock and organizing where it is stored before it hits the shop floor. Nathan is a big festival goer and enjoys the camping involved in longer-lasting festivals. Nathans's favourite thing about working at Great Outdoors is getting to appreciate and check out all the cool equipment.His favourite item we sell would be the rain covers as they helped to protect his things during torrential rain.

Francesca Borsari

Fran has been working in our clothing department since the summer of 2023 and has tons of hiking and climbing experience behind. A big fan of hiking in the Dolomites, she knows a thing or 2 about how to pack for a great day on the trail. One of her proudest moments in the outdoors was completing a 12 hour hike and scramble around Gruppo del Catinaccio in the Dolomites and the steps descending Passo del Vajolon sure helped her to overcome her fear of heights. She's a big fan of keeping her area tidy and takes care of the restocking of her department when she arrives into work in the morning and she loves helping customers to find the right combination of layers for their next adventure.

Aytunç Tunçay

Having come from Türkiye to study English and other things and without any formal outdoors qualifications, Aytunc is a enthusiastic hiker and loves being outdoors and he lives for the stunning views that this brings. None so more than having completed the 520km Lycian Way and camped along the route, regaling in all of the beautiful scenery that this epic walk covers. As part of his E-commerce position at Great Outdoors, Aytunc is often to be found doing a deep dive on the specifications and technologies of the items that he is loading on the website. His favourite item is the Salewa Mountain Trainer Mid hiking boot which he puts to good use between his job in the busy online team and his Digital Marketing masters degree. He enjoys working at Great Outdoors because of the huge range of outdoor geat that we stock and the keen outdoors people who work here and shop with us everyday.

Join our staff 

Here at Great Outdoors we are always looking to hire motivated, outdoor enthusiasts. We always strive to equip outdoor adventurers with the best gear possible, think you could help us out? If you've got the outdoor knowledge we've got the sales skills to help you shine!