Can you tell us about your time at University of Galway and how your studies in History, Politics, Sociology, and Business shaped your career? Any experiences or lecturers that had a lasting impact in your diplomatic work?

I have nothing but fond memories of my time in University of Galway. Coming from Connemara, where I attended a small secondary school, Galway was the ideal campus for me. It was a safe, friendly, and welcoming space, and I took to it like a duck to water.

Looking back at my academic experience, I can see where the foundations for my diplomatic career were laid. While studying sociology and politics at undergraduate level, I recall lectures with Dr Brendan Flynn, who taught a module on EU politics. His way of teaching was captivating, and his enthusiasm for the subject was infectious. Through this course, I developed a deep fascination and appreciation for the EU project as a whole, including the Council, Parliament, and Commission, which I feel led me on a path which ultimately resulted in my joining the Department of Foreign Affairs

University of Galway is known for its strong academic community—did you find any specific support networks or mentors helpful during your time there?

Once I finished my Bachelor of Arts degree, I decided to undertake a postgraduate course in business studies. This was a huge departure from what I studied previously, and I struggled to get to grips with one of the subjects in particular.

However, the support I got from Professor Sweeney was incredible. With her help, guidance, and endless patience, I was able to overcome and enrich my learning experience, passing the module and learning concepts that I still carry with me.

Another fond memory comes from my early days as a first year. I submitted: an analysis on ‘The Prince’ by Nicolo Machievelli. My history lecturer at the time was Prof Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, an academic legend on the Galway campus. Prof Ó Tuathaigh was such a fantastic storyteller and really brought history to life in his lectures. The result was that his classes were always well attended. Yet, despite what I can only imagine was a very substantial workload, his feedback on every assignment was extremely considered and very supportive, which I really appreciated as a wide-eyed fresher!

The approach taken by Prof Ó Tuathaigh and Prof Sweeney was consistently applied throughout my years in Galway, and I always found that there was a really supportive network at University of Galway. Having that ready access to the teaching body was very reassuring and helped to build innate confidence in my abilities.

What led you to transition from the finance sector to working in the Department of Finance and later the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, contributing to conversation on subjects from disarmament to Brexit negotiations?

I worked in the finance section of a large multinational for a number of years, an experience which I continue to draw on as part of my current work in promoting bilateral trade between Ireland and Australia. As with many people, the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) had a significant impact on me, not just in relation to job security, but from a more profound perspective, and it led me to take stock of where I was heading both personally and professionally.

Through this assessment, I realised that I wanted to pursue a path which allowed me to combine both my finance skills and my earlier political studies, which is why I joined the Department of Finance in 2013. That same year, we took on the rotating EU Presidency of 2013, one of the most challenging periods in recent EU history, given the urgent need to support the EU’s banking and markets infrastructure. This work, though difficult at times, reignited my interest in EU politics, and I relished being at the table (so to speak) to see its functioning first hand. This experience also made me really appreciate the role the civil service play in helping to shape EU legislation, an approach which always seeks to put the citizen and their interests at its core.

In the year 2016, I participated in an open recruitment campaign to join the diplomatic corps and subsequently took up my first role as Deputy Director of Disarmament and Non-Proliferation. In late 2017 I had my first posting, to our Embassy in London, where I worked on Brexit. This is one of the aspects I particularly enjoy about Foreign Affairs, its variety. The roles and topics you can work on are incredibly varied, and I think that diversity, including in people, backgrounds and experiences, helps to make the Irish diplomatic corps a very agile and effective force.

What have been some of the key challenges and highlights in your role as Consul General of Ireland in Sydney?

It has been the honour and privilege to serve as Consul General of Ireland in New South Wales (NSW). Ireland and Australia have incredibly close links, and it is estimated that 1 in 10 Australian’s have Irish ancestry. This, coupled with the fact that NSW is home to the largest diaspora in Australia, makes for an incredibly busy but fulfilling role.

As with every role, there are challenges, but I am very lucky to have an incredible team, with a combined total of 30 years’ experience. I find this very reassuring when it comes to dealing with serious consular cases. As humans, whenever something goes wrong, our first thoughts will go into problem solving mode. In my career, I have seen that there are times when you cannot ‘fix’ the issue. While these cases can be upsetting, I know that while I cannot undo what has happened, I can still draw upon my local knowledge and networks to provide as much practical support as I can to the families during difficult times.

In terms of highlights, however, there are so many! Walking in the Sydney St Patrick’s Day parade is always such an honour, and it is really moving to see this incredibly busy city come to a standstill and join in with our celebrations.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 was also a career highlight! Ireland took on the Matilda’s in the opening match, and I really thought that my heart would burst with pride when the women came out onto the pitch to the sound of cheers from the thousands of Irish people who travelled to see the game. This match was (and still is) the most watched sports fixture on Australian TV, and I am so proud that Ireland played such a key role in this watershed moment for women in sport!

How does the Consulate in Sydney support and engage with the Irish community? Are there any recent initiatives or cultural programmes that you’re particularly excited about?

We have an incredibly active and diverse community in NSW, which we engage with and support in a myriad of ways.

Once a quarter, the Consulate hosts a meeting of community leaders entitled ‘Le Chéile’ with representatives from the over 30 community organisations active in NSW. These events have ranged from information sessions on renters’ rights to roundtables with visiting Ministers. This initiative has enhanced community connections and facilitated cross-community engagement in what was once a fragmented space.

We also support our community groups via the Emigrant Support Programme. This fund, which has been in operation since 2004, has assisted countless organisations across the globe. I am especially proud that organisations from NSW make up a considerable number of fund recipients and in the last 3 years alone, NSW organisations received almost $1m dollars in funding. This funding goes to support organisations such as the Irish Support Agency, Sydney Queer Irish and the Irish Family events group. The GAA are also incredibly active in NSW, boasting 9 clubs in the State with 22 teams across each sporting code. Through the global games fund, the Department helps fund the GAA’s activities in the state, which also encompasses a significant welfare element.

We are very active on the culture scene too. Irish writing, music, and acting is really having a ‘moment’ here in Sydney! Through support from Culture Ireland, we are able to play a key role in promoting Irish artists, which have ranged from Claire Keegan at the Sydney Writers Festival (SWF) to Dermot Kennedy at the MISNEACH festival.

Later this year we will see Colm Tobin, Maggie O’Farrell, Ferdia Lennon, and Marian Keyes at the SWF, and there is much excitement brewing in advance of the arrival of the British and Irish lions in June – busy times ahead!

Finally, what’s one thing you wish more people knew about Ireland’s diplomatic work abroad?

One of the things I am most proud of as an Irish diplomat is our support for the diaspora. I was born in London the daughter of Irish migrants who left the west of Ireland in the 1970’s to seek work in the UK. Like the others who went before them, the money they sent back home was a lifeline for many families.

Although times have changed, and Ireland has too, one thing that has remained steadfast is the appreciation the Irish have for their diaspora. As a way of giving back and acknowledging the decades of support our diaspora provided to us, in 2004 the Irish Government established the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP). Since its inception, the ESP has assisted more than 900 organisations in 51 countries with over €250 million in funding.

Irish diplomats the world over understand deeply the importance of the diaspora, and they do an incredible job in supporting them. Ireland really does stand out amongst its peers in terms of our support for our global family. Through this, Ireland’s soft power and people power have an outsized impact relative to the country’s population size. You need only look at the rivers going green from Chicago to Vilnius in celebration of our national day to see the Irish charm in action!

Find out more about the Consulate General of Ireland, Sydney here.

Find out more about Ireland in Australia here.