A life-changing decision
Nearly 20 years ago, I walked away from urban life and the corporate world to live in a beautiful and perhaps remote part of the West of Ireland. As soon as I moved, I knew I had found my place. I knew I wouldn’t move again and that I would make it work. In fact, I ruled out any other possibility.
From the outside, it looked like a very poor career decision. I thought that too initially. I was leaving the corporate world to move somewhere fairly remote, for reasons that were entirely emotional rather than commercial. There was no strategy, just a very strong pull to be in the place and to raise our family here.
Something unexpected happened. Instead of shrinking, I expanded - both personally and professionally. What I've realised is that this happened not despite the place, but precisely because of it.
The Power of Place
Up until then, I had spent years feeling like a square peg in a round hole. I didn’t fully realise this until I experienced that beautiful feeling of having found a square hole to fit in.
What I found here was a deep sense of connection, belonging and identity. The place grounded me and nurtured me in a way I genuinely hadn't expected. And once I had this experience, I couldn't stop wondering about it. In fact, I may even be guilty of obsessing about it at times.
I've come to believe that a sense of place is one of the most powerful things a person can have - an anchor, a refuge, a source of identity, belonging and connection. In a world that's moving faster than most of us can process, where technology is reshaping what it even means to be human whether we like it or not, I think the relationship between people and place (and people within places) matters more than ever.
At Home
I share my life with my husband Jarlath, our three children, our dog and our two cats. Over the years, the children’s hobbies became my hobbies – sport, music, dance. As they grow into young adults, time has appeared for more hobbies of my own. Golf is the current pre-occupation.
I love learning and am nearly always doing some course or other. I enjoy being a traveller myself, and good food and wine are a must. I spent my very early years in California and return there often. My best mentor lives there, a great reason to keep going back.
Walking in The Burren or on Lahinch Beach in Co. Clare remain my favourite ways to clear my head. I still have aspirations to play a musical instrument someday.
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