Corkonians Abroad: I'm loving the great outdoors, in Scotland

How did you end up in Edinburgh?

I spent a summer working in Edinburgh in 2001 after finishing my first year of civil engineering in UCC and I knew I wanted to spend more time in the city in the future.

That summer was such a good adventure exploring my first proper taste of freedom from home where I got to spend time in the Old Town in Edinburgh, making new friends and partying at the fringe festival.

After finishing my degree in 2004, I lived and travelled in China in 2005 before I returned to do a masters in sustainable energy in UCC.

When I graduated from my masters, I was trying to find a job in renewable energy and there was a lot more happening in Scotland at the time in that sector, so I decided to move to Edinburgh to pursue my career in wind energy. That decision was made easier by the fact several of my good friends were also living here at the time.

What has been the biggest challenge?

I’ve been pretty fortunate over the years living here as I have developed a good network of friends. 

When you live away from close family, your friends start to fill that part of your life more and I’ve developed some great friendships here over the years.

But the biggest challenge in recent times was Covid as I live on my own, so during the first year not knowing when I would see my family at home in Cork again was really tough.

How might you spend your weekends?

Since moving to Scotland, I have found that most of my friendships have revolved around the outdoors and I spend my time out on my bike or running.

Scotland has a really good infrastructure for various outdoor activities such as the Tweed Valley which is the heart of the UK mountain biking scene.

The Highlands provides some amazing landscape to play in and as there are Rights to Roam in Scotland, it makes it all the more easier to explore places.

Tell us about your line of work/career?

Since moving to Edinburgh, I’ve been able to focus my career on working within the renewable energy sector which I became very interested in during my engineering studies in UCC. I’ve worked in some great companies since moving to Scotland (Scott Wilson, Natural Power, Downing LLP) with like-minded people who have been focused on delivering renewable energy projects that help in the fight against the climate crisis and protect the environment.

I’ve been so lucky to have worked as an engineer and technical advisor on so many projects, from small community-owned hydro schemes in the Highlands to the largest onshore wind farms in Europe.

It’s been very exciting to be part of the growth and development of the renewable industry in Scotland over the years. I now head up construction delivery as part of a development team for an investment fund and work on projects across the UK and Nordics.

Tell us your thoughts on opportunity and how a different part of the world might offer more opportunities?

Scotland has been one of the leading countries in the world for building renewable energy projects and when I moved to Edinburgh in 2007, there was momentum building around delivering more of these projects such as onshore wind projects.

Given the industry was so young, I was able to experience and contribute to the growth and development of the renewables industry in Scotland, which I am very proud of.

Are there any wider societal issues that you see in Ireland that aren’t a problem in your new home? Or vice versa?

I think Edinburgh sees similar issues and challenges to those in Ireland where people have struggled with the cost of living crisis in recent years.

Homelessness is evident around the city, but similar to Cork there are some great charities trying to help, such as Social Bite, who do great work giving people without homes jobs, and also building new homes for those without them.

What has been your most memorable

moment in your new location so far?

Having lived here for over 15 years now, I’ve been fortunate to have lots of happy memories here. I’ve got a wide circle of friends that has allowed me to experience lots of different parts of Scottish culture.

Living in Edinburgh, you get the best of city and country living as you are right in the heart of the city but can be in the Pentland Hills within 30 minutes on your bike, or down on the beach in Portobello.

We also are spoiled with the biggest arts festival in the world every August with the International and Fringe Festivals.

And given how close Glasgow is, it’s very easy to pop over and experience a very different city to Edinburgh and enjoy the pop culture there.

But wider than that, I’ve been able to explore many parts of Scotland through my work and adventures with friends as we spend lots of our time outdoors.

I’ve spent many winters snowboarding in the Cairngorms and Nevis and summers cycling in the Highlands and islands.

Particular favourite spots include Torridon, Mellon Udrigile, and the Western Isles.

Any special mentions to friends or family back in Cork?

My immediate family are still in Cork, as are a lot of my wider family, while some of them have chosen to live in further away places than me.

My mum, Kay, and dad, Michael, still live in our family home in Ballinhassig and are a big part of the local community there.

My sister Niamh lives in Douglas with her husband Andy and daughter Millie. They all give me a good reason to get home as often as I can.

I am also lucky that I still have a good group of friends from college and school at home and I always try to make time to see as many of them as I can when I’m back.

My family tease me that I can’t walk down Patrick Street without bumping into someone I know, and I haven’t lived in Cork for nearly 18 years.

If you were back in Cork for one day, what would the ideal day for you?

I’m fortunate that I live relatively close to Cork and for the last few years there has been a direct flight there. There wasn’t for many years which made it tougher to get home.

Since Covid and hybrid working, I’ve been able to spend more time in Cork than I have in years gone by. 

I manage to spend a few weeks in the summer and Christmas at home, which definitely helps me feel connected to home.

Is there anything that you especially miss about Cork?

Like most people from Cork, you miss the craic and sense of humour and the approach to life. I love trying to explain to people why Cork is the best place in the world, let alone Ireland.

I miss the pints of Beamish and Murphys, I miss the landscape and smells of West Cork, the food and produce. But mostly I miss the ease of being able to see and spend time with family and friends on a regular basis.

While I do miss Cork, I love coming home and seeing how Cork is changing – from new buildings and development around the city to restaurants and cafés showing off the great flavours of Cork to different people and new cultures becoming part of the city and enriching the culture of Cork.

But also seeing what hasn’t changed and keeping the draw to home there.

What is your ideal day if you were back in Cork for one day?

Over the years, I’ve tried to make sure that I feed my soul with all things Cork when I’m home and have various routines that I try to fulfil when I’m back.

I always need a slice of West Cork when I’m home and that can vary from a walk on Long Strand in Castlefreeke or picking up some sandwiches in Scally’s in Clonakilty or visiting the best village in Beara (Allihies), or having a swim in the Dock in Kinsale, or picking a random townland I haven’t been to before and going for a drive with my parents.

I also like to make sure I explore home more these days through exercising. I’ll make sure I build in a catch-up with friends, either by going for a run or a long cycle, again to visit old memories or explore new places.

It’s amazing the difference seeing places from your bike has. I’m lucky that, being from Ballinhassig, I can jump on my bike and cycle to places like Kinsale very easily, or pedal down the road to Innishannon and grab a coffee and a pastry in Wildflour.

And, of course, I’d have to make sure there is time for a few pints in the Oval or Sin é!