Since August 2010, I have been working as a journalist in the Lurgan Mail, a local paper in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. I have reported on a wide range of stories affecting the community in the area and have gained valuable experience from doing so.
Before working for the Lurgan Mail, I completed an NCTJ accredited Postgraduate Diploma in Newspaper Journalism at Nottingham Trent University. My undergraduate degree was in Liberal Arts with History in St. Mary¡¯s University College, Belfast which I finished in 2008. I am currently taking a course in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, and I hope to finish it before the end of 2011.
Education & Work Experience
Education
Nottingham Trent University (2009-2010)
•PG Dip Newspaper Journalism
St Mary¡¯s University College, Belfast (2005-2008)
•BA Liberal Arts with History 2:2
St Patrick¡¯s Grammar School, Armagh (1998-2005)
•AVCE ICT, grade B; A Level
Politics, grade B; A Level Irish, grade C
•9 GCSEs grades A-C
Current Employment
The Lurgan Mail (30th August 2010 – present day)
•Reported on council meetings, magistrate courts and public meetings.
•Covered issues affecting the Lurgan area, such as crime sprees, rioting and gang-related deaths
•Reported on local and regional elections
•Interviewed a number of Northern Ireland¡¯s top politicians, including Deputy First Minister and Irish presidential candidate Martin McGuinness, Education Minister John O¡¯Dowd and Justice Minister David Ford
•Built up a good working relationship with both local business leaders and trade union activists
•Had front page exclusives published on regular occasions
Other Employment
Railway Bar, Lurgan – Assistant manager (October 2008 – September 2009)
Railway Bar, Lurgan – Part-time barman (May 2007 – October 2008)
Loughview Brassiere, Lurgan – Barman (June 2006 – February 2007)
Hatfield House, Belfast – Barman (September 2005 – October 2006)
Interests
I have a keen interest in all types of music. I teach and play the guitar. I enjoy keeping fit through various activities such as hurling, Gaelic football and going the gym. I am also very interested in politics, history and current affairs.