Two Irish Daughters - Finding Role Models for Irish Girls

  There are those in Irish society who have have met resistance at every corner yet still persevere, meeting the challenges head on and simply demanding their right to be heard and to do their thing. Zainab Boladale is one of those people who have realised their talent, overcome obstacles and refused to let irrational detractors stop her dreams or negatively influence her.  In short she battles on regardless. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Zainab came to Ireland and was raised in the lovely town of Ennis in Co Clare.  She found a 'grá' for the Irish language and is a fluent speaker. She was the first Afro-Irish employee of RTÉ  and its first Afro-Irish presenter.  She is a strong advocate of racial equality in Ireland but also of Women's rights, campaigning to stop inequality simply because of one's race or gender.  By doing so and by putting her head above the parapet, she has attracted unwelcome attention but she refuses to let such things derail her sense of pu...

  Where to start with the good Doctor? When the name 'Dr. McHale' flashes on your screen, in no way does it conjure images that remotely explore the depth and complexity of Dr. Fionnula McHale.  A woman raised in the great Western County of Galway, she studied medicine at Trinity, Dublin graduating in 2010, and then started up her own clinic in Dublin two years later.   Impressive, I hear you say, a driven intelligent young woman who has done well for herself but is there more?   Yes, there's more. Much more.  The grey description above doesn't even begin to describe Fionnula McHale.  How many Doctors out there have came from difficult childhoods, made it to medical school, took research fellowships around the world, lectured in a multitude of cities, became the World International Fitness Champion, 2 time European Powerlifting Champion, and opened their own clinic specialising in an alternative approach to health - Functional Medicine. It is a seriously im...

  photo c/o Getty Images It is not often a GAA club website has a full section devoted purely to a family, or to be more precise, the two sisters Considine (Eimear & Ailish).  To have such an accolade highlights the immense pride the Kilmihil club have for it's famous daughters and how respected they are within the local community.   Ailish is off enjoying Aussie Rules for Adelaide Crows in Australia, and Eimear is establishing herself not just as a teacher, but also as an International rugby player, pundit, analyst and now podcaster.  There appears little she cannot turn her hand to proving to be extremely versatile and a hugely positive person, particularly when it comes to trying new things, letting her natural intelligence and adaptability come to the fore. Hailing from Co Clare, Eimear showed from a young age her talent for Camogie and football, having a great grounding from her father Cyril and Mother Kay.  It is obvious how much her family means ...

Michelle Gallen came into the greater public consciousness when her first book 'Big Girl, Small Town' was released.  Michelle was brought up in Castlederg, Co. Tyrone and studied in both Dublin and Scotland, working hard and realising the potential that was within her.   A child of the troubles, stife was never far from the door in Ulster but life has a way of challenging us to adapt and continue on with normality, however different the circumstances are.   Her debut novel was dubbed 'the Milkman meets Derry Girls' by Sinead Moriarty no less, and Michelle was able to draw on her background for the storyline set in a fictional Irish border town with tragedy and drama ongoing. The dark humour and laughs provide an engaging tale that grips the reader and involves them emotionally, issuing a connection with the characters that ensures you don't want to leave the book down.   Anyone who lived in Ulster can relate to the story and part of Michelle's tal...

The face of Irish hockey was changed forever in the summer of 2018 with the achievements of the Irish Women's hockey team in London at the World Cup. Reaching the final when no one had given them a prayer at the start of the tournament was a momentous achievement and was the talk of the country.  North and South, the Irish were buzzing and Ulster was especially proud of it's daughter and team Captain, Katie Mullan. Hailing from the northernmost part of our Island, Katie was seemingly someone who could turn their hand to a lot of sports, namely athletics and Camogie for Eoghan Rua, Coleraine where she won an All-Ireland Intermediate title in 2010.   Obviously no slacking was contemplated in her studies where she is a qualified Biomedical Engineer, but Women's hockey in Ireland is still predominantly a semi-professional career rather than given the time to concentrate fully on it.  Katie made her international debut in 2012 and although funding has dramatically improve...