Early life
Education
Equality
Ireland
Europe
I was born in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1994, I moved to the village of Shrule, Co. Mayo with my parents Noreen and Vincent. I lived there with my three siblings Kevin, Eileen and Michael. Shrule offered us a sense of community and embodied values such as collaboration, inclusion and respect, values which have ultimately guided my work.
My educational journey began with a BA in Journalism and Visual Media from Griffith College Dublin. Following my graduation in 2009, I progressed to a career in television production and creative management, working in Dublin, New York City and Philadelphia.
I am a passionate advocate for life-long learning and I was delighted to graduate with a Masters in Agricultural Extension & Innovation from the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science in December 2023.
In 2014, I entered the International Rose of Tralee festival, a celebration of young women in Irish heritage across the world. Throughout my year-long ambassador role, I worked with a number of organisations and charities promoting Irish culture and heritage, and access to better mental health services.
Many of these groups highlighted Irish humanitarian work in Tanzania, Ghana, Belarus, India and South Africa. As a member of the Rainbow community, I am passionate about raising awareness across the LGBTI+ community. I spoke with communities, businesses and young people across the country to elevate understanding and encourage equality.
Up until July 2019, I was honoured to serve as a member of the 1st Armoured Cavalry Squadron in the Irish Reserve Defence Forces, based in the Curragh, Co. Kildare. Becoming a member of the RDF instilled in me confidence and a better understanding of teamwork.
In 2018, I worked as a project coordinator for the national event honouring the survivors of the Magdalene Laundries. I also supported the Referendum for Marriage Equality in 2015 as well as the Referendum to Repeal the Eighth Amendment on abortion rights in 2018.
I am proud of the progressive strides Ireland has made over the past number of years, progress which I hope to keep pushing for our country at the European level.
First elected in 2019, and re-elected in 2024, I am currently serving my second term as a Fine Gael MEP in the European Parliament. I represent the constituency and people of the Midlands-North West which spans 15 counties across Ireland, and I am a member of the EPP Group in the European Parliament.
I sit on the European Parliament’s Agricultural and Rural Development committee (AGRI) and the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality committee (FEMM) as a full member, and I am also a member of the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and Regional Development (REGI) committees.
My priorities include agriculture, regional development, women’s rights, and mental health. I aim to be a voice for farmers across the Midlands-North West, for women and young girls, and for all those who need mental health support and services.
