I grew up in Sligo, and if I wasn’t at home, you’d find me by the sea—wandering around harbors, staring at boats, completely fascinated.
Fast forward a few years, and with a busy toddler keeping me on my toes, I was searching for something to challenge both my body and mind. Then came the game-changer—a Try-Sailing voucher. That little gift kicked off what would become a decade-long (and counting) sailing obsession.
I started out club racing on yachts and keelboats, then dove into Yachtmaster theory, which opened my eyes to the incredible world of maritime navigation, both past and present. The more I learned, the more I wanted to learn! But the real turning point? A non-stop mile builder around Ireland. Navigating day and night, working with tidal streams, and sailing as a team—it was just too much craic to walk away from.
Since then, I’ve spent years as a delivery skipper, chartering in the Med, skippering around Ireland, and managing sail training at Sligo Yacht Club. Becoming a Yachtmaster Instructor was another big milestone, but there are still plenty of challenges ahead.
Right now, I’m diving into Astro navigation and figuring out how to climb the rankings as helm of our J24 women’s racing team on Ireland’s West Coast. No chance of slowing down anytime soon!