INDEPENDENT TCD SEANAD CANDIDATE
MY STORY.
As I seek your vote for the Trinity College Dublin Seanad, I want to share my journey with you - the experiences that have shaped my values, my work, and my track record of delivering tangible change.
I grew up on a farm in rural County Carlow, where I developed a deep connection to the land and the values of hard work and community. My parents met at UCD, but they always told me that I was destined for Trinity. I’ll never forget the first time I walked through the front lodge and that pinch me moment that stays with me to this day.
In 2000, I graduated from TCD with a law degree. My time there instilled a sense of possibility—that the world was out there for the taking. A Trinity degree didn’t mean anything would be handed to me, but it gave me the confidence to chase what I wanted. I was drawn to TV, advertising, and film, so I moved to London, (well, LA felt a bit far) and I had a promise of two weeks’ unpaid work experience on a Channel 4 factual documentary. I was kept on and survived by working in two bars and staying with friends. Five months later, I got my first TV credit and was on my way.
I later worked in-house with the iconic clubbing and lifestyle brand Ministry of Sound, producing pop promos for their ventures. My early career in factual documentaries also took me to incredible places, including Sulawesi, Indonesia, where I spent five months living on location for a BBC series. I immersed myself in life with the Bajou Laut, a hunter- gatherer seafaring tribe, and spent nights sleeping in hammocks deep in pristine rainforests. I taught myself Bahasa Indonesia as it helped me to negotiate access with the headmen of each village we came across. It was an early lesson in the power of empathy and communication.
After returning to London, I met my husband, and after we married, I decided to pivot from documentaries to news. I earned a place on the highly competitive BJTC Broadcast Journalism Training Council postgraduate programme, where I trained intensively in shooting, editing, producing, reporting, and deconstructing the news—a skill that would later prove invaluable in my advocacy work.
During this time, I was recruited to join a team of new journalists testing and training the media capability of NATO member forces. Over the course of nine NATO Rapid Response Force exercises across Europe, I began to understand the critical role of narrative in shaping outcomes. My growing interest in narrative led me to complete an MA thesis on the reporting of post-conflict Northern Ireland, exploring how the media framed events and shaped public opinion, comparing the reporting of the Troubles with the reporting of post conflict NI. I undertook original qualitative research in Dublin, London and Belfast by interviewing 21 ex-combatants, journalists and politicians. I spoke to Simon Winchester, the only journalist who had reported that the British troops had in fact, opened fire first on the marchers on Bloody Sunday. I interviewed the PR for Bobby Sands during the hunger strikes and even the late Martin McGuinness.
"Coming home to Ireland and building a life
in Dublin has been a
journey of rediscovery
—a chance to reconnect
with my
roots while forging a
new path forward."
I applied Habermas and Chomsky with NI as a case study and showed that mainstream media self censor, amplify the official narrative and manufacture consent because of their relationship to Source that is, politicians (and in the case of Bloody Sunday, military spokesmen). It sharpened my ability to think critically and question received wisdom—a foundation that continues to serve me.
With my husband working 80-hour weeks in the City and no family nearby, I chose to be at home with our small children—a decision I’m deeply grateful for. Those years allowed me to connect with my community in meaningful ways, including volunteering at St Mary’s Paddington, the hospital where Alexander Fleming had once discovered penicillin. I worked on the maternity wards helping newborns and mothers, and over four years trained and qualified as an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant).
On St. Patrick’s Day 2017, we made the decision to return to Ireland, wanting our children to grow up rooted in Irish culture and values. We finally relocated in August 2020 and so, another new chapter began. I returned to the law and was called to the Bar in 2022. Since then, I’ve worked in the Criminal Courts of Justice and on circuit, building my practice and navigating the challenges of starting over in a new City.
Coming home to Ireland and building a life in Dublin has been a journey of rediscovery—a chance to reconnect with my roots while forging a new path forward. It’s a story of resilience, transformation, and the enduring belief that everything you’ve experienced and learned, all the golden threads of your life can coalesce.
MY CORE
PRINCIPLES.
In today’s politics, it often feels like labels and party lines have taken center stage, overshadowing the real issues that matter most to people.
I believe this approach only divides us, and it’s time for a change. We don’t need more political tribalism—we need fresh thinking and a genuine desire to solve the problems that affect our communities.
At the heart of my campaign are core values that guide everything I do. I approach each challenge with a clear mind, a willingness to listen, and a focus on finding practical solutions. These aren’t just talking points—they are the principles that shape my vision for a fairer, safer future, where we tackle issues head-on without the distractions of partisan politics. These are the values I stand by—and the values that will guide me if you give me the opportunity to represent you.
Women's Rights
Anti-War
Child Safeguarding
Anti-Censorship
LGB Rights
Pro Trade Union
GET TO
KNOW ME.
Whether you’ve known me for years or just heard about my campaign, I want to hear from YOU. This election is about people, not just policies—and that means an open conversation between us.
I’m here to work for you, and I want to make sure you feel part of this journey. That’s why I’m inviting you to connect with me on social media, ask questions, and engage directly through our upcoming Digital Q&A. It’s your chance to learn more about my vision, my goals, and how we can build a better future together.
Got a question about my campaign, my plans, or how I’ll represent YOU in the Seanad? Send it in! I’ll be answering your questions and sharing my ideas in real-time, so we can have the kind of dialogue that truly matters.
Your voice is powerful—let’s make it heard. Follow me on social media,
join the conversation, and together we’ll shape the future of our community.