I’m a first-class honours Journalism, New Media and English Literature graduate (2021) from the University of Limerick, Intro to Marine Science diploma holder, freelance journalist and proud owner of this portfolio website.

My decision to study journalism was an obvious one.

Bob Woodward once said,

“the central dilemma in journalism is that you don’t know what you don’t know”.

I remember hearing this quote for the first time during a journalism lecture and its word’s hit me like a ton of bricks because it summarises what I could never explain. At the core of a good journalist is a hearty serving of curiosity. You want to know what is happening so that you can share it with the world. The dilemma is that often the most important news is also the most hidden. Your role as a journalist is to sniff these stories and do them justice in the public eye. Your goal is to be the Jessica Fletcher of the real world.

Luckily for me, curiosity is certainly not a trait I’m lacking. Admittedly, I tick every box of a stereotypical crime/ mystery lover; I devour murder mystery and crime books, I listen to every conspiracy podcast out there and when I’m not watching documentaries, I’m watching Criminal Minds.

This curiosity paired with my lifelong love of reading and writing made the prospect of a career in journalism extremely attractive to me and thankfully, it still is.

I loved learning the ropes of journalism at the University of Limerick (UL) and the creative freedom it allowed me to incorporate my own interests into projects. My introduction to video journalism was a big turning point for me. I instantly fell in love with Final Cut Pro and documentary and video making.

By nature, I’m a very creative person so I instantly recognised Final Cut Pro as a new medium to get creative with. Through experimentation I began discovering new editing features and adding animations and designs I make myself on Procreate. I’m constantly building on my video editing skillset and it’s an area I would love to pursue more in my career.

Being surrounded by so many other like-minded individuals gave me the confidence to start a fashion blog known as Controversgirl which I wrote on regularly for the first two years of my time at UL.

You may notice throughout the course of your browsing on this website, that a lot of my writing is informal and playful and I wish to take this opportunity to assure you, I’m perfectly capable of writing formally, I just choose not to. Perhaps it’s all the Sex and the City going to my head; one too many cosmopolitans and Carrie columns but I like to keep my writing contemporary with hints of classical English; a “which is to say” here, a “how you doin’ “ there. It’s more fun and besides that, just because mainstream traditional media is told in a flat matter of factly way, doesn’t mean it’s not possible to discuss serious matters with just a little more oomf. 

Personality-wise, I’m much the same; I love trying new things, except if it’s food then my fussy qualities shine through. I love seeing new places, meeting new people, trying new things. Just recently I returned from the French Alps where I spent 5 months working as a chalet host in the ski resort, Val d’Isere. This wasn’t my first time working in France as in 2018 I worked in the South of France as a kids club leader. I also worked in New York in 2019 and studied abroad in Malta in 2020. 

In no particular order, my 3 greatest loves in life are: creating, the underwater world and travel.

I think “creative” is likely the best word to describe me. I’m always up to something, whether it’s working on a video project, an article or bribing my sister into featuring in a homemade photoshoot; the creative gears are always turning in my mind.

Growing up along The Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland has given me great respect for the water and the marine life that exists below its’ surfaces. I’ve always been greatly intrigued and excited by the secrecy of the world beneath the waves that is hidden in plain sight and home to the most beautiful and magical creatures. I have completed an online diploma in marine science and would love to get further educated in marine zoology. I have a particular love for sharks and manta rays and my dream is to become an avid scuba diver, regularly immersed with these fishy friends. I hope to combine my degree in journalism with my passion for marine life and create content that could help with marine research conservation.

The same can be said for my interest in travel. I aspire to create a livelihood intertwined with travel. I am extremely fortunate to have grown up within a family that treasures travel; bringing my sisters and me on holidays around Europe has been a priority to my parents when raising us and their value for travel and new experiences is something I have certainly inherited. Luckily for me, the new age of digital nomads makes it possible for me to combine my passions with my degree and travel the world as I do it!

I hope you have enjoyed getting to know me a little better. By exploring the different sections on this website you will be able to familiarise yourself with my work and get a better glimpse of my capabilities. I would love to hear what projects or work you have to offer so please do not be shy in reaching out!

Do not hesitate to contact me with any further questions.

Enya x

CERTIFICATES

SMEDIA Magazine of the Year Award 2019

Enterprise Ireland: Starting your Own Business Course

Irish Water Safety Lifesaving

Basic Life Support

Food Safety & Hygiene

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SKILLS

Final Cut Pro Procreate

SEO Optimisation Photography

Blog writing Adobe Audition

Social media content creation Project planning

Copywriting Podcast editing

Article writing Interviewing skills

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