Dublin born and bred. Graduated from UCD, Ph.D from the National University of Ireland. Married, three children. Career in Foreign Affairs, assignments to Anglo-Irish Division, Development Cooperation Division, UN, and Conflict Resolution Unit. Postings to Washington and New York, Ambassador to South and North Korea, Israel, and now Canada, Jamaica and The Bahamas. Interested in Irish history.
Q 1- How does your normal day begin?
After catching up with Morning Ireland podcasts, checking emails, and a scan of the newspapers, I walk to the Embassy. A wonderful way to organise your thoughts. Winters can be tough here but rarely bad enough to stop a walk.
Q 2- What are your biggest daily challenges?
Making sure I don’t miss anything important. New daily information floods in from the media, websites, podcasts, social media, emails, Whatsapp, updates from HQ, publications, subscriptions, meetings and conversations.
Q3- What do you love most about your job?
Making connections with people, activities, things, and ideas. Imaging a future and connecting the people with the energy to make it happen.
Q 4- What do you do to relax?
Cook, eat, drink, and chat with my wife and kids. Sunday morning with the NYT and a gallon of coffee. An afternoon in a gallery. A hike in the hills.
Q 5-Favourite staycation destination in Ireland and why?
Kenmare. It has everything. Beautiful village, set in the Kerry mountains, by the sea, with drives to some of the most stunning landscapes in Ireland, from Dunquin to Beara.
Q 6-Favourite holiday destination worldwide?
Anywhere in Italy. Everything Italian has that magic ingredient, brio. It’s in their culture, their food, their style, their wine, their hearts and their voices.
Q 7-Favourite Business motto?
It is not the first meeting that matters but the second one.
Q 8. Advice for young business entrepreneurs
Do what you believe in, what you love. Follow the energy. Listen.
