How have you come to live in Ireland South East?

I’m originally from Waterford. Unfortunately there wasn’t any suitable jobs for me during the recession in the south east after college so I moved to Australia for over three years before returning to Ireland to work in Dublin for four years. In 2019 I was lucky enough to secure a role with The Taxback Group in Kilkenny which gave me the opportunity to move home.

What do you like best about Ireland South East?

The numerous beautiful beaches, quaint villages and the Waterford Greenway which is fantastic for walks or cycles from Waterford city to Dungarvan.

Tell us about your career?

I graduated from college with an honours degree in Human Resource Management in Waterford Institute of Technology. Straight after graduation I moved to Perth, Western Australia and began my career in recruitment. I worked for global multi nationals recruiting across retail, commercial and corporate banking positions. I got homesick and decided to return home where I secured a role with America’s third largest asset management company growing their business up to one thousand employees in Ireland. I always wanted to return to the sunny south east and I was delighted when the opportunity arose with The Taxback Group to head up their recruitment department globally from their Kilkenny headquarters. We are currently expanding at a rapid rate here in Kilkenny with plans to grow the business even further which is fantastic. It’s such positive news that Terry Clune is bringing such a large volume of roles to the south east.

What are the benefits of living in Ireland South East?

1. House prices are dramatically cheaper – you can buy a four bedroom detached house here rather than an apartment in Dublin for the same price.
2. Work life balance – more time spent in the evening with family, friends or doing hobbies.
3. Less time commuting to and from work.

Can you tell us a secret about Ireland South East or a favourite place that people might not know?

There are a multitude of festivals on in Waterford that people may not be too familiar with, everything from Spraoi, The Harvest Festival, All together now and Waterford walls to name but a few. There is never a dull moment. A favourite place of mine is Moe’s café on the beach in Tramore. It is a dog friendly café where you can sit outside with your pup and enjoy a coffee or some food whilst watching the surfers hit the waves.

What’s the main difference between living and working in the SE as opposed to where you lived previously?

You just can’t beat the fact that your work life balance completely changes from living in the capital. Before it would take me hours to go get to and from work, now it takes a mere thirty minutes (approx.) to drive from Waterford to Kilkenny. I love the fact that I’m with a global multinational (Taxback Group) but I’ve the luxury of going home every night instead of wasting money renting in Dublin or commuting up and down. I’m now walking my dog on the beach when usually I would be stuck in Dublin for hours in traffic. You just can’t beat it!