Where did you learn your Irish?

I really started learning Irish during the Leaving Cert year with my aunt and my cousin, they are both teachers. Then, my confidence and love for the language grew, and I chose it as a university subject at Maynooth University, where I lived on campus in Irish speaking accommodation!

My Irish really improved as I worked in TG4. It is now a privilege to be working with Ros na Rún, listening to and learning from native speakers every day!

You speak fearlessly about politics. Tell us about the importance of women taking an interest in current affairs. 

It is valuable for all of us to be as politically aware as possible. Politics affects us all as individuals and as a society. The more we know, the better we are able to positively impact the world around us.  

Do you have any suggestions for anyone who would like to know more about politics? 

There's so much happening all the time, it's hard to keep up with everything. I personally like reading books about big, historical things. But with the current affairs changing every day, I find sources on media and social media. For Irish matters, I like Raidió na Gaeltachta, The Irish News, Seachtain, and podcasts such as The Gaggle, Inside Politics, and The Women's Podcast.  

You work with The Irish News. How do you choose the stories you talk about? 

I like to use the platform to highlight important matters such as human rights and injustices. My remit with The Irish News is international affairs. So, I keep an eye on what's happening around the world and try to pick things that have a connection to Ireland.

How do you put together scripts for the video segments? 

It is important to research whatever topic I am talking about and have a full, accurate, and comprehensive review along with mentioning any references if applicable. Then, I put together a rough script with a beginning, middle, and end to the points I want to mention and use it as a guide.

You're an actor with Ros na Rún. Do people recognise you as Penny in everyday life? 

People recognise us in Galway and maybe friends of my parents at home in Donegal! It's lovely to meet people interested in the programme. I love talking to them about their views on the current storyline, and maybe a few spoilers are told on occasion! 

You are a presenter on the travel programme Téacs Taistil. Tell us about that experience. 

It was a great opportunity to see the world with Proinsias Ó Coinn and Séaghan Ó Súilleabháin and the lovely crew, who were heroes. I went on an adventure every day of the trip, seeing places I would never have seen and meeting special people who otherwise wouldn't have had the opportunity. There's so much to learn from the programme about the countries we've been to, and we had great fun every day - all featured on TG4 Player!  

What's the best place you've visited? 

I loved Romania. The culture, people and nature would put you under a spell! 

You've done lots of work with the charity Women's Aid. What attracted you to that charity? 

I have always been interested in women's affairs. One in three women are a victim of domestic abuse. Women's Aid and Too Into You have been doing Trojan work for the past years. They play a key role in promoting women's rights and highlighting the culture in Ireland regarding women, which is improving. There is an urgent need for solidarity, that we all stand together to tackle violence against women. A significant way to do that is to support Women's Aid. It is a privilege that I can do so, as there are thousands of women in the country who cannot.  

What are your top three books? 

It's really hard to pick my favourite books, but 3 I've read that have really resonated with me recently are: 

• Feminism Backwards by Rosita Sweetman  

• For and Against a United Ireland by Fintan O’Toole and Sam McBride 

• Girl by Edna O’Brien 

You're a fashionable person. How did you develop your personal style? 

Well, thank you very much! My Mum is a really cool person, so I think she influenced me. But in terms of my own style, I certainly wasn't always confident with it. I'd say I wore whatever my friends were wearing – but that was also fun! However, these days I like feeling confident, comfortable, and creative with my clothes. I wear whatever I want, trying to wear sustainable clothing and avoiding bad habits of body image and the ‘male gaze’!  

What's the best advice you've received?

Make sure that whatever you choose to do isn't for anyone else. Sometimes as people, we tend to do things with other people's opinions in mind. Especially in this modern age, it's easily done subconsciously. for the gram, for example. So, it's important for me to stop and think – if I'm taking a job, creating social media content, or even in relationships – does this truly bring me and my soul satisfaction and peace, rather than my own self? 

What is your favourite word or phrase in Irish?

Is breá an ní an óige, ach ní thagann sí faoi dhó / Youth is fine, but it doesn't come twice. Life is too short to be staying in a job you don't like, spending time with people who don't show you love, adopting the customs of a society that doesn't suit you.