‘The job is our lifestyle too so we try and make it fun’

What did you study? 

I studied Tourism and Business in IT Sligo when I left school and took my gap year in San Francisco, before finishing my degree in Napier University in Edinburgh.

How did you start working in tourism?

As a student at Sligo IT, I undertook a 6-week work placement as part of my course in Sligo Tourist Office and I really loved it.

How has your career progressed since then?

When I came home from Edinburgh, I worked for Paul Claffey Tours. Paul is the managing director of Mid-West Radio Station and brings his listeners on holidays all over the world with country music. I had my interview in the Caribbean (Dominic Republic).  They had free seats on the aircraft and I got to travel out to work for 10 days. I loved it and had the opportunity to travel all over the world with our groups. After 3 years I moved to Dublin to work in educational group travel with NST and then a company called USIT. I then moved home to Sligo in 2014 and opened my business in an empty premises my dad owned.

What does your current role entail?  

Everything from managing the day-to-day running of my café, four full-time and four part-time members of staff as well as rotas, payroll, ordering and stock control.  Then for the Sligo Oyster Experience, I spend a lot of time developing business for the town tour and have two travel companies working with me this year.

What makes your career different to other people’s?

No day is the same - the variety is fantastic but if you don’t love it you will burn out fast! No fixed income can be challenging especially coming from a great paying job with great benefits.

What’s the best part of your job? 

Seeing my ideas come to life and knowing there is a market for it.  I am also proud that my work makes a positive impact on Ireland – tourism is a unique market in its ability to sustain local communities and jobs.

How does your job fit with your lifestyle?  

I married an oyster farmer and the job is our lifestyle too so we try and make it fun.

What skills have you developed in your career in tourism? 

HR Skills, employment law, food costs, dealing with customers’ expectations, social media, marketing, payroll, tour operators different needs, differences in cultures and how to market to that culture. Tourism is a great business in which you can develop a wide range of transferable skills.

What characteristics do you need to succeed in tourism?

Passion for what you are doing, determination, persistence and a willingness to adapt.

What advice would you offer someone considering joining tourism?  

Be open minded and willing to adapt. Tourism can open so many exciting opportunities to you.

Failte Ireland