Beneath the Canopy

Beneath the Canopy: forest bathing and nature connection in Ireland

Beneath the Canopy is a business initiative by Orlagh Walsh and Cat de Wit, both certified forest bathing guides. Their stated goal is to bring people closer to nature in a simple and accessible way, through events, self-guided products, a podcast, and other activities. The company officially launched as a business after a period of collaborations and joint projects.

Origins and background of the founders

Orlagh and Cat met when Orlagh and her mother joined one of the forest bathing walks that Cat organised. They discovered they shared ideas about nature connection and began meeting to exchange experiences and support each other. Their first joint project was an autumn e-booklet. While working on it, they realised they had a lot to say about forest bathing and decided to launch the Beneath the Canopy podcast. From there, they collaborated on events for the general public and networking meetings for small business owners. Finally, they decided to establish Beneath the Canopy as an official business.

Orlagh Walsh

Orlagh is a certified forest bathing guide and has had a passion for nature since childhood. She studied Zoology at University College Dublin and worked in the education department of Dublin Zoo, where she shared knowledge about wildlife with visitors of all ages. She then worked as a teacher in a Dublin secondary school. Missing the outdoors, she discovered forest bathing, a practice that combines mindful presence, sensory awareness, and the restorative power of nature. Her love of the Celtic Wheel has become the core of her professional practice.

Cat de Wit

Cat, whose full name is Cathelijne, is a certified tour guide and forest bathing guide, based in Wicklow. She is originally from the Netherlands and has a background in marketing and public relations. She moved to Ireland in 2015 and turned her dream of working outdoors into reality. In her walks she combines her passion for storytelling with nature connection. She likes to serve a wild tea made with ingredients she has foraged or grown herself.

Events and training

The company organises forest bathing events for the general public, as well as events for private groups and in-person training for groups. It also offers collaborations and events aimed at small businesses. The programme includes upcoming events and the possibility of booking experiences for specific groups.

Nature connection products

Beneath the Canopy sells self-guided products for those who prefer to connect with nature without relying on in-person events. The catalogue includes:

• Forest Bathing Alphabet: a handmade set of 26 wooden pieces, each with a letter of the alphabet and, on the reverse, a corresponding forest bathing invitation. It comes in a bag; a letter is drawn at random to determine the day's connection activity. Each set is made to order by Cat and costs €44.50, including shipping. The website states that a couple of days should be allowed for production before shipping.
• Nature Affirmation Set: a set of 28 round pieces of recycled plywood, hand-cut and engraved with forest-inspired affirmations. It comes in a canvas bag. Made to order by Cat, priced at €44.50 with a production time of a couple of days before shipping.
• Reduce stress in the workplace: an app with 25 simple nature connection exercises, designed to be used at work or between meetings. Each exercise takes a couple of minutes and requires no special equipment. Price: €12.50.
• Gift vouchers: digital vouchers redeemable for any event or product on the website, available in amounts of €15, €35 (equivalent to a forest bathing walk for one person), and €70 (for two people). They can be combined to adjust the gift value.
• Seasonal e-booklets: four editions (autumn, winter, spring, and summer) of 60 pages each, with forest bathing invitations, writing prompts, nature challenges, reading recommendations, and background information. Designed to open on your phone. Price: €8.50 per booklet or €25.50 for all four.
• Kids e-booklet: designed to encourage children's connection with nature, with activity ideas, natural crafts for rainy days, reflection questions, and challenges. Price: €5.
• Nature Connection Photo Walk e-booklet: a booklet for taking photo walks in nature with your phone or camera. Price: €6.50.

Podcast and other content

Beneath the Canopy produces a podcast focused on nature and connecting with it. In addition, the website includes blog sections, nature resources, media coverage, and a Pay it forward programme. A newsletter is also offered to receive news and special offers.

Presence and contact

The company operates from Ireland, with Cat based in Wicklow. The guides offer their services in English. For enquiries, the contact email is info@beneaththecanopy.ie. Contact phone numbers are 085-1631226 (Orlagh) and 083-4581186 (Cat). The website is beneaththecanopy.ie.

Email: info@beneaththecanopy.ie