🌊 First Woman to Stand-Up Paddleboard Around Ireland 🌊

On 27th September 2025, after 11 years and thousands of paddle strokes, I completed my circumnavigation of Ireland by stand-up paddleboard — becoming the first woman ever to achieve this historic milestone.

From wild Atlantic swells and dangerous cliff lines to calm sunrises and dolphins at my side, this journey has been about courage, resilience, and giving back. Along the way I have raised thousands of pounds for cancer charities and the RNLI, who keep our coastlines safe.

👉 [Donate to the RNLI on JustGiving]
👉 [Watch the full journey on YouTube]

Jenny’s Stand Up Paddle Around Ireland
My name is Jennifer Greenlees and I have a passion for long-distance paddleboarding. What started in 2014 as a single fundraising challenge has grown into an 11-year journey that has now made history. On 27th September 2025, I became the first woman to stand-up paddleboard around the entire coast of Ireland. 🌊🇮🇪
Along the way, I’ve raised thousands of pounds for cancer charities and the RNLI, faced wild Atlantic storms, powerful tidal crossings, and long days on the water — but I’ve also experienced the magic of dolphins leaping beside my board, sunrise paddles, and the joy of completing something many thought was impossible.
How It All Began
In 2014, I paddled 75 miles from Portballintrae to Bangor over 3 days, raising £3,000 for my cousin Allyson’s cancer treatment and Marie Curie.
In 2020, I paddled from Donegal to Portballintrae in just 5 hours, raising another £3,000 for my friend Ailish, who was also battling cancer.
In 2021–2022, I took on the 100-mile stretch from Bangor to Dublin, completing it in stages due to Covid travel restrictions and weather. By October 2022, I had paddled the entire coast of Northern Ireland.
That milestone gave me the confidence to continue — and I decided to keep going until I had paddled the entire way around Ireland, raising money for the RNLI along the way.
The Final Paddle – Cliffs of Moher
The last section was also one of the most dangerous: the Cliffs of Moher, 11 miles of sheer Atlantic coastline with nowhere to exit until the harbour at Liscannor. On 27th September 2025, supported by kayakers Andy and Tony, and with Richard and Jack on land crew, I set out from Doolin Pier into 4–5ft swell and 13mph winds.
For six hours we battled the elements, dolphins leaping beside me, huge waves smashing at the base of the cliffs, and constant vigilance required. Finally, I paddled into Liscannor Harbour — exhausted, sore, dehydrated, but overjoyed. The circle was complete.
That date was no coincidence. In numerology, 27.09.2025 is a triple 9 (999) — the number of completion and fulfillment. After 11 years, I could not have chosen a more fitting day to finish.
Fundraising for RNLI
Throughout this challenge I have raised funds for cancer charities and, most recently, the RNLI. Their crews are always ready to put their lives at risk to save others, and it feels right to give back to those who watch over our coasts.
🙏 Please consider sponsoring my journey in support of the RNLI:
👉 JustGiving link
Watch & Follow the Journey
📺 You can watch my progress and all the videos from the full journey on YouTube:
👉 YouTube Playlist 

💙 You can also follow me on [Facebook] for updates, reflections, and more photos from the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the idea come from?
I was first inspired back in 2007 while living in America, when the paddleboarding craze began. By the time I came home to Northern Ireland, long-distance SUP was still very new. Inspired by local big-wave surfer Al Mennie, who paddled from Northern Ireland to Scotland, I began to dream of “joining the dots” around my own coastline. When my cousin Allyson needed fundraising, it became the perfect opportunity to put that dream into action.
What was the best part?
The incredible sense of achievement at the finish line — and the magic of wildlife encounters along the way.
What was the hardest part?
The nerves before heading into notoriously dangerous stretches of coast. Even with support, things can (and do) go wrong. I’ve had rescue boats hit rocks, strong currents sweep companions away, and mornings where the sea seemed to have other plans. Each time I learned to adapt and keep going.
What advice would you give?
Safety first — always.
Know your limits and your safe weather conditions.
Never paddle alone without letting others know your plan.
Always check in with the coastguard before and after.
And if your intuition says it’s not safe — turn back. There will always be another day.
✨ This journey has been about much more than miles paddled. It’s been about family, resilience, fundraising, and proving that persistence — one paddle stroke at a time — can complete even the wildest of dreams.