My first memory was seeing Wren Boys from my pram... I was terrified!

Tell us about yourself;

I am a textile artist, behind Celtic Threads by Léonie. I have been stitching all my life; no formal training, just the art passed down through the generations, from my grandmother to my mother, then to me and my sisters. I have worked in the corporate world for over 30 years now. I originally trained as a hotel manager, but went back to education to do Business Studies with Law.

I love music, singing, and playing the piano (classical music). I’m an avid rugby fan, a huge supporter of Munster, and I’m part of the welcome team in Cork that is made up of volunteers who help out at the Munster games, showing people around the stadium and assisting where we can.

I am a member of Cork Craft & Design, a great social enterprise representing more than 110 professional makers and artists, and a fantastic organisation. I take my artistic inspiration from the symbols and designs left by Celtic hands on the ancient stones in Ireland. I use needle and thread to create my pieces.

My choice of materials is deliberate, using black Aida to reflect the past and then ‘báinín’ coloured thread to create the image, like a bright shadow coming out of the darkness. The thread reminds me of my childhood, shearing sheep, the oil on my hands, and the smell of the wool, undyed and in its natural form.

I have different ‘collections’ of my work; my first is my Celtic series, which explores the variety of Celtic symbols, knots, legends, and stories, ranging from Trinity Knot to Triskele forms and the legends of the Children of Lír and Tír na nÓg. Another is the Kilnaruane series, which is much closer to home and my heart, from the 6th century richly carved Pillar Stone standing just outside Bantry and only 1km away from me. I create images through stitching of the various panels and carving on the stone. The Brú na Bóinne series is based on symbols left on the Neolithic sites of Knowth, Newgrange, and Dowth. My latest work honours Rory Gallagher and his music. I am in the process of stitching the pieces.

Where were you born?

I was born in Bantry Hospital, when there was still a maternity unit.

Where do you live?

In Bantry — on the hill overlooking the bay and the Cork/Kerry mountains — having lived in Limerick, London and California.

Family?

Married, three children (all adults) and three grandsons.

Best friend? My husband John.

Earliest childhood memory?

The Wren Boys coming into the kitchen of our home on St Stephen’s Day. I was sitting in my pram, having turned two the previous month. They frightened the living daylights out of me, as they were head to toe in costume, including the headpiece of straw, banging bodhráns and singing.

Person you most admire?

The late Brian Crowley; his attitude to life, his resolve to never let physical limitations become a barrier, and his work ethic. He was an amazing singer; my favourite is when he sang Mustang Sally. But most of all was his loyalty to his family and friends. He had the ability to do what most of us wouldn’t have dreamt of doing.

Person who most irritates you?

Best not go there; need to visit that county again.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

Summer holidays in Donegal. We went every year the first two weeks in August (builder’s holidays). We all piled into the family car, eight of us on that long road to Donegal from West Cork, picnics on the side of the road. Lst stop was the Wimpy for fish fingers, chips and beans in Sligo, and then finally getting to my grandaunt’s home, a beautiful thatched cottage on a working farm and the countryside to roam in. It was a huge novelty to us; we were townies, so not used to having no street lights.

Favourite TV programme?

The Handmaid’s Tale, think it is a shocking but gripping series.

Favourite radio show?

Newstalk Breakfast, I’m an early bird.

Your signature dish if cooking?

Prawns Provençale on brown soda bread.

Favourite restaurant?

Won’t single anyone in particular out in Bantry, but when I’m in Dublin, I always go to Dada, a Moroccan restaurant that has 80% of their menu gluten-free.

Last book you read? A Detective Rachel King mystery by Helen H. Durrant.

Best book you read? I don’t have a particular favourite but do like reading Harlan Coben and Michael Connelly.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

Leonard Cohen’s You Want It Darker. My husband bought it for me.

Favourite song?

Janis Ian’s At Seventeen from Between The Lines.

One person you would like to see in concert?

If I could go back in time, it would be David Bowie. Had the pleasure of going to Bob Dylan last year, so that is another of my list of artists to see.

Do you have a pet?

Not at the moment. We had a beautiful Golden Retriever/Collie Cross that we adopted from West Cork Animal Rescue in 2010, but she is gone since 2024.

Morning person or night owl?

Most definitely a morning person.

Your proudest moment?

Watching my children grow up and see the strong, independent adults they have become.

Spendthrift or saver?

A bit of both, don’t mind spending money, but I hate wasting it.

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live? Parking.

What makes you happy?

So many things: family, music, reading, gardening, living life to its fullest. You don’t get a second chance. When people say you only live once, my response is you only die once; you live every day.

How would you like to be remembered?

For being loyal, by my grandkids, for the memories, fun, laughs and being Mamó. My three ‘children’ for always being there for them, by my nieces and nephews as someone they could come to if needed and not just their aunt. By my husband, I don’t plan to go before him.

What else are you up to at the moment?

Busy working full-time while building my own business for later in life once I retire. I am currently doing market research on branding, looking at how I go about expanding into other areas. I’m a Cork Craft & Design member and maker and involved in Cork Craft Month, which returns this August with its biggest programme yet, featuring over 90 workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions, and markets designed to connect the public directly with the county’s vibrant craft community.

My work features in the annual Cork Craft Month showcase, ‘Celebrating 21 Years of Cork Craft & Design: ‘Crafting Legacy’ Members Showcase Exhibition, which runs at St Peter’s from August 13-31. The full programme is on corkcraftanddesign.ie