College of Arts Graduate Focus: Aoife Geraghty

From an early age, reading and writing was how I most enjoyed my time – when I wasn’t talking! So, when it came to choosing a route of study, Creative Writing really excited me as I’ve always had a fascination with storytelling and connecting with others.  

Studying the various mediums of writing allowed me to nurture this passion into a practised discipline throughout the Creative Writing modules, but also through academic reading and writing by choosing English and Gaeilge as my subjects. It was important to me to study Gaeilge as one of my subjects, as I believe that through language, you engage with a way of thinking and a whole history of storytelling. 

Looking back on my time in University, The Arts Ball each year was a big highlight – everyone getting together and having a brilliant time. However, the highlights at UoG  were numerous, and included many days spent between Áras na Gaeilge, an Bhialann, the library and, when the sun came out, by ‘the big yellow thing’ with a 99.  

What I loved most about University of Galway was that you could go for a study break stroll and know for sure that you’d bump into someone for a chat or a coffee, or if you needed help with something, you could always find it.

I adored the support and encouragement from my Creative Writing classmates – I made some lifelong friendships with really talented writers from these classes. We developed a strong bond and our lecturers were an active part in this. Their doors were always open, and their input always honest.  

I had the opportunity to spend my 3rd year at Boston College on exchange, which was unforgettable. When I wasn’t touring around the US & Canada in my free time, I was fully immersed in all types of writing workshops, across Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Journalism, Writing about Popular Music and The Art of Editing. When you’re in workshops of this nature, as well as learning multitudes, it’s very easy to connect with people quickly and I made some wonderful friends.   

I recently joined the Brand PR & Corporate Communications team at Irish Distillers based in Dublin, having spent the previous three years on the Jameson International Graduate Programme, and a year preceding this at Proactive Design and Marketing in Galway as their copywriter. In my current role, I help to tell the Irish Distillers story and the story of all our wonderful brands, building authentic relationships with our teams, our consumers and everyone in between.  

Studying at University of Galway prepared me for entering the professional world by building my confidence, broadening my knowledge and my skills, and encouraging me to trust in my own ability.