Fáilte!
As someone working with Ireland’s offshore island communities, I’m excited to offer you a window into the vibrant life and work happening across our islands.
I live on Achill Island, just off the coast of County Mayo, and work part-time as a LEADER Island Development Officer with Comhar na nOileán. I also serve as Chairperson of the Island Guild, supporting and promoting the thriving communities spread across Ireland’s inhabited offshore islands. Dotted along the Wild Atlantic Way, these special places are full of life, creativity, and connection. Through this series of articles, I hope to inspire you to explore them—whether by reading along or visiting in person!
Although I was born and raised in Dublin, Achill has always felt like home. I’ve been visiting since childhood and have long been captivated by the island’s raw beauty, dramatic weather, and unique sense of calm. Growing up, I romanticised island life. I once dreamed of becoming a teacher so I could spend my summers here—but life took me on a different path.
I studied business and worked on a buying team at Primark. I loved my job, but when the pandemic hit and we were allowed to work remotely, I took the opportunity to spend more time on Achill. That time changed everything. I found myself dreading the return to city life and longing to stay by the sea. The slower pace of life, the strong sense of community, and the closeness to nature awakened something in me.
Eventually, I made the move permanent and founded my own design business, House of Achill, with products now stocked in retailers across the country. A fortunate series of events led me to conduct research for the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland, deepening my connection to the wider craft and design community and ultimately opening the door to my current roles.
Comhar na nOileán, based on Inis Oírr, has long worked on behalf of Ireland’s offshore islands, and I’m honoured to be part of their incredible team as a development officer. In my role, I help island communities in Mayo and Donegal access LEADER funding to support local enterprise and infrastructure. I firmly believe that the future of the islands begins on the islands—and that organisations like Comhar na nOileán are vital to empowering that future.
Through this series, I’ll be sharing the stories of Ireland’s islands—the projects making a difference, the places to discover, and the people shaping life on the edge. I hope you’ll join me—one tide, one story, one island at a time.
Grá mór,
Anna
