In February, Ireland celebrated its female patron saint, St Brigid, and her legacy of empowering women. Now in March we celebrate the talented women who have built successful businesses that are helping the island of Ireland’s tourism industry to thrive.
Here we feature 13 inspirational women:
The first female skipper: Lorraine McLean: Captain Strangford Lough Ferry
In 2023, Lorraine became the first female skipper of the Strangford Lough ferry which has been running since 1180 between Strangford and Portaferry in County Down. Lorraine had always been interested in the maritime world and studied for a PhD in marine biology at Queen’s University. She joined the ferry crew in 2019 as purser and then trained for three years before achieving her dream.
From rugby player to cottage construction: Caitríona Bergin: Caitríona’s Cottages, Leitrim
Multi-talented Caitríona used her flair for DIY combined with her creative vision to develop three beautiful stone cottages at her farm in County Leitrim. Perfect for a relaxing holiday, the cottages are ideal for those who cherish slow adventure in a gorgeous landscape. A former Leinster rugby player and Head of Women’s Rugby for Ireland, Caitríona is active in promoting and empowering girls and women to take up jobs in construction, engineering and in the quarrying and mining industry.
UK’s youngest Blue Badge guide: Charlene McCrossan: Managing Director McCrossan City Tours
Charlene is a Blue Badge Tourist Guide and took over the running of the award-winning McCrossan City Tours which was founded by her father. The company offers a range of walking tours around Derry~Londonderry including historical tours, food tours and a Derry Girls tour. Private bespoke tours are also offered. McCrossan City Tours has a five-star ranking from Tourism Northern Ireland.
Female-orientated surf: Melanie White: Owner Rebelle Surf
Melanie’s love of surfing and nature led her to set up a surf school in Sligo on the Wild Atlantic Way. Originally, she focused on coaching for women, providing innovative surf techniques more suited to women’s bodies combined with ocean and self-awareness, etiquette, tides, rips and safety advice. Now her Rebelle Surf school offers a range of surf experiences, lessons, camps and retreats that are open to everyone and are tailored to the specific needs of the participants in each group.
Women in whiskey: Louise McGuane: Founder J.J. Corry
Louise is an Irish whiskey entrepreneur, who launched her own label – J. J. Corry Irish Whiskey – in 2016. Having worked for global drinks brands around the world, Louise had built up an expertise and decided to delve into the traditional art of whiskey bonding which had been lost in Ireland for 100 years. Now Ireland’s first whiskey bonder in decades, Louise sources casks from around the world, and whiskeys from distilleries all over Ireland, matching one to the other to create her award-winning blends on her farm in County Clare.
Harnessing the power of seaweed: Prannie Rhatigan: Founder Irish Seaweed Kitchen
Growing up in County Sligo on the rugged west coast of Ireland, Prannie learned about the different types of seaweed and their uses in the kitchen and garden. Now a medical doctor, she has extensive experience of harvesting, cooking and gardening organically with sea vegetables, harnessing their nutritional and medicinal benefits. Author of the Irish Seaweed Kitchen cookbook, Prannie was awarded Special Acknowledgement for her Outstanding Contribution to Irish Food by Euro-Toques. She sells seaweed products, recipe books and guides through her website.
Foraging for good: Mary White: Blackstairs Ecotrails
Mary is a former Green Party Member of the Irish Parliament for Carlow/Kilkenny and former Minister of State for Equality, Human Rights and Integration. She is a linguist, walking guide, forager, and flora and fauna specialist. With her husband and daughter, Mary runs Blackstairs Ecotrails, an award-winning eco-tourism business in the Blackstairs Mountains and the Barrow valley. Her business offers eco-friendly accommodation in shepherds huts and a range of workshops and foraging experiences.
Women’s walking weekends: Eimear Flanagan: Founder Away a Wee Walk
Eimear set up her walking tour company, Away a Wee Walk, in 2013. Based in Belfast, she specialises in walks around County Antrim’s spectacular Causeway Coast and glens. With a degree in Irish history and politics she is passionate about the Irish landscape and the story of Ireland. Eimear manages a team of guides as well as leading walks herself. The company provides three guided day tour options, offers private tours and provides a full package of support for those who want a self-guided, independent walking holiday. This year, Eimear has launched women-only winter walking weekends.
Forestry and farming: Ailbhe Gerrard: Farmer Brookfield Farm
Ailbhe runs Brookfield Farm in County Tipperary, which uses sustainable farming processes to produce artisan food and locally sourced wildflower honey, beeswax candles and minimally processed tender lamb. Ailbhe studied sustainable development in University College London, and organic farming in the Scottish Agricultural College. She won a Nuffield Agricultural Scholarship, and lectures at Gurteen Agricultural College. Ailbhe welcomes visitors to Brookfield Farm for open days to view broadleaf forestry, wildflower meadows, lambs, crops, hives and craft demonstrations.