Sinéad Ní Mháille – Sinead O’Malley (2001)

This interview took place in 2001:

Sinéad is truly a record breaker!
Never before have we had so many nominations for one person in such a short period of time.
Everyone felt that she deserved recognition for her academic and professional achievements.
We persuaded her to answer our questionnaire;

Name:	Sinéad O’ Malley in Currane but Sinéad Ní Mháille everywhere else! I spent a year in the Meath Gaeltacht when I was 16 and my name has been in Irish ever since.
Age:	24 going on 25 (some would say going on 45).
Family details/links with the area:	Born and raised in Currane.
Where do you live?	I’ve lived in Dublin for three years. At the moment I live in Fairview on the Northside with my brother and sister. Fairview is brilliant. It’s really close to the city centre but its close to Clontarf and Howth too.
Profession, past/present employment details:	I work as National Youth Officer for Fianna Fáil, which I love but which keeps me very busy. Before Fianna Fáil I did a Masters and before that I worked as Tourism Manager for Turasoireacht Acla.
What do you like about Currane?	I like the physical Currane – the fact that it’s right on the coastline; rugged, rocky places like Clochán and the feeling that you get when you pass by the pitch on the way in and you can see Achillbeg, Clare Island and Clochmor in front of you. I like the personal side to Currane too, the sense of community and familiarity between people. Currane has developed a great community spirit and it has resulted in things like the Centre, the pitch, the computer centre etc. I love coming home to my family in Currane.
How would you improve the area?	There isn’t a lot I would change. I’d like to see tourism better developed in Currane – small, cottage-industry type tourism; family B&B’s, small-scale walking tours, development of Currane’s natural amenities in a responsible and environmentally-sound way. For a small place there is a huge amount of history and story attached to it and it could easily be used to attract business and create jobs. People love places like Currane where they can get a sense of history and culture and feel like they are welcome in a small, familiar community.
Favourite place/view:	My favourite place, such as it is, is the sea. I love to be out in the boat or sitting at Clochán when the sea is a bit choppy and the sun is shining. I love Achillbeg and one of my favourite things is to go to the lighthouse with my father.
Favourite time of year:	Summer – no question! I hate cold, grey short days and I can’t wait for Summer.
Favourite story/folklore:	Anything about Irish mythology and anything about Granuaile.
Favourite saying:	Na bac le mac an mhacaigh is ni bacaigh mac an mhacaigh leat. (My Irish spellings not great!) It means ‘Mind your own business and others will mind theirs’.
Place you’ve most enjoyed traveling to (and why):	It doesn’t really qualify as travel since I lived there for three years, but my favourite place away from home is Portstewart in Derry. I lived there for my three years in college and it is one of the most beautiful places in Ireland. I have some great memories of college and Portstewart, particularly The Anchor Bar, plays a big part in them.
Favourite book:	I am big into reading whenever I get the chance. I’d read anything really but my favourites are mythology and fantasy fiction, things like Lord of the Rings, Memnoch the Devil by Anne Rice (a very interesting take on creation and the story of God and the Devil), Windlord, Firelord and Earthlord by Michael Scott and the Harry Potter books. I also liked classics like Lorna Doone, Jude the Obscure, Pride and Prejudice and John O’ Donoghue’s book Anam Cara.
Favourite music:	All kinds of everything – James, Radiohead, Coldplay, Paddy Casey, dance music, Mary Black, Christy Moore, the Carpenters, etc, etc
Favourite song (Irish):	I don’t think I have a favourite song. I like traditional ballads, rebel songs. If I had to pick one I’d say Mo Ghile Mear.
Favourite film:	All the Star Wars films, The End of the Affair, Mary Poppins, The Matrix.
Favourite drink:	Vodka, white wine.
Favourite food:	Anything there’s lots of – Mexican, Indian, Achill Head curry chips etc.
Favourite type of night out in the area:	Anywhere with my family and cousins – we always have a great laugh.
What sports do you enjoy:	I don’t play any (I’m far too lazy) but I like watching football and hurling.
Which teams do you support:	Currane ladies, Mayo – the local teams. I have no interest in soccer.
Which person would you most like to meet living or dead:	Granuaile.
Any important plans/resolutions for the future:	I want to take over the world – no seriously I just want to get on with my job and find a bit more time for my friends and family

Thanks once again to Sinéad for taking the time to talk to us.
We’re sure everybody will join us in wishing her continued success in the future.