My Weekend: For as long as I remember I've always wanted to work with animals

Tell us a little bit about yourself;

Well, I’m a Cork boy born and raised. I’m never sure how to say what part I’m from I’ve lived all over the county. I’ve spent time in the city, near Mallow, Cobh, nowadays I’m living near Bandon, this is where my step-father and his family are from, so my parents ended up moving here, and myself and my girlfriend ended up finding a place not too far away when we moved in together.

I’m currently studying for my PhD with UCC and Fota Wildlife Park, looking into how zoological institutions actually contribute to conservation work and the ways they look after the animals in their care and keep them healthy.

I’ve always been animal mad without any real reason why. I don’t have anyone in my family that works with animals, but for as long as I can remember that’s all I wanted to do.

So, when I came to college, I did my degree in zoology and began to specialise in zoo research and behaviour research. When I finished up, I realised I’d like to go further, so I approached a few lecturers who agreed to work with me and they helped me prepare a project proposal. We applied for the Irish Research Council Enterprise Funding Scheme, with Fota Wildlife Park supporting us, and we were chosen to be awarded the funding to pursue our project.

The last three years since, have been a bit of a whirlwind. I’ve had some steep learning curves to overcome and like every other PhD, the road isn’t always necessarily smooth. I love it though; it has been a brilliant experience. I’ve had the opportunity to learn so much about what happens in the background of the zoo and wildlife park world, and it has been so encouraging and eye-opening.

Even now, I’m only recently home from a conference in the Czech Republic. It was the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Conservation Forum. I was asked to attend and speak about my own work to colleagues from all over Europe and it was a remarkable opportunity.

Moments like those are what have made the PhD so worthwhile, and I’ve also learnt so much. 

Zoological institutions are playing a vital role worldwide in caring for and managing species that have the risk of simply disappearing in the wild. I’m fortunate to be working alongside Fota Wildlife Park, they are actively taking part in a wide range of conservation efforts, protecting species both in Ireland and abroad. I feel very proud to have any small part in understanding how we can improve the lives of these animals and potentially play a part in conserving their species.

I’m very lucky that my work allows me to spend so much time in Fota Wildlife Park, observing the different behaviours and quirks of the animals I’m studying. I’m always happy to chat if you’re ever around Fota Wildlife Park and see me about in my green hi-vis vest. Just be warned, if you get me talking about my work, it’s very hard to stop me again.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

Generally, Friday nights are for chilling out and beginning to wind down from the week. The best option for me is either a movie night with some good snacks at home with my girlfriend. Second best is a quiet game night with friends, having a catch up and playing board games.

Lie ins or up with the lark.. which is it for you?

Lie ins. I’ve always been more of a night owl. Late nights suit me a lot better than early mornings. Even if I’m up and moving around, doing things, I’m not awake and with it until at least 12pm.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

It does. But in my area of work it’s necessary to be out and about at weekends as well as workdays. Animals don’t really know the difference. 

I don’t mind it though, I’m in a very fortunate position with my research where I can be flexible with the days I work and take a day off during the week to make up for it.

If money was no object where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

I would definitely go to the Monaco F1 with my girlfriend. She absolutely loves formula racing. I like it myself and would follow the updates on it, but she can’t get enough. I’d also just love the opportunity to explore Monaco for a weekend.

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

We live reasonably close to Farran Woods which is a beautiful spot to go for a walk and get a bit of fresh air. Even though it can get busy, there’s enough space and trails to allow you to get away from people and find a little bit of solitude. If I wanted to go a little bit further afield, I would probably head towards Gougane Barra.

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

Absolutely. Family is pretty important to me. I’m lucky enough to have a large family and I try to make it to as many catch ups as possible. Whether that’s just going for a walk together with all the dogs or having a barbeque if weather allows. 

Trying to stay up to date with friends can be hard with everything else you have to juggle but we do try to meet for coffee or lunch as regularly as possible.

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

For hobbies I get involved in, I’m very much a nerd, I enjoy my fantasy and sci-fi novels and movies. I’m also arranging a dungeons and dragons game with friends that we’re going to try and play regularly. I’m also an archer with the UCC club. I try to train and compete when I have the time and I’m also a qualified coach and judge for competitions, so I occasionally get called on to help out in those positions too.

Entertain or be entertained? If it’s the latter do you have a signature dish?

I love to cook so I think I would prefer to entertain. I think my cooking style is very homey. If I was hosting, I would probably do roast chicken breast, stuffed with bread stuffing, wrapped in bacon with roasted potatoes, honey glazed carrots and parsnips and a nice thick gravy. Then a nice, simple bread and butter pudding with custard for dessert.

We have so many places to eat out in Cork — where are your go to spots for coffee/lunch/special meal?

I love The Lifeboat Inn down in Courtmacsherry for more special dinners. For coffee or a catch-up lunch, Spitjacks in the city or Beantown on the Model Farm Road are great spots.

Sunday night comes around too fast.. how do you normally spend it?

Sunday nights are just for relaxing, I think. At that stage it’s really just time to sit back and enjoy some quiet time before the next week kicks off. If there’s anything you haven’t gotten done at that stage, then it can probably be left until Monday.

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

Far too early for my liking.

Anything else you are up to right now...

Well, I have about 15 months left to finish up my PhD and submit the final thesis and there’s still plenty of work that needs to be done.

I’m also helping to arrange bits and pieces for a conference Fota will be holding soon in their new Education, Conservation and Research Centre. We’ll be welcoming colleagues from zoos and universities all across Ireland and the UK to come and share their work and get to meet each other, make new contacts and potentially start new projects.

Overall, we’ll see where things go over the next year or so but the next step after my PhD is a bit of a question mark. 

I’m keeping my ear to the ground for opportunities that arise, and I’ve always tried to go for any door that was opened for me. Ideally, the goal is to find somewhere that I can use my skills in research and asking questions to make a difference, as long as I feel that I’m achieving that then I’ll be happy.

The official opening of the new Education, Conservation and Research Centre at Fota Wildlife Park takes place today.

The sustainably built, Education, Conservation and Research Centre at Fota Wildlife Park co-funded by the Government via the Office of Public Works, is the largest single development in the park’s history and features a 265-seater auditorium, state-of-the-art classrooms, eco-friendly passive design and is now open as an education centre and is also available for corporate and private events.