Sa mhír is déanaí den tsraith 'Alumni Spotlight' de chuid Ollscoil Luimnigh, labhraímid le Meghann Scully.
In the latest instalment of the Alumni Spotlight Series, we speak to Meghann Scully.
1. Abair linn píosa beag fút féin.
Is mise Meghann Scully agus tá mé ag obair mar iriseoir agus láithreoir ar teilifís, raidío agus na meáin shoisialta.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Meghann Scully and I work as a journalist and presenter on TV, radio and social media.
2. Cad é an cúrsa léinn a ndearna tú staidéar air, agus cén bhliain ar bhain tú an cúrsa sin amach?
Rinne mé staidéir ar an Ghaeilge agus na Meáin Úra agus bhain mé céim i 2011.
2. What course did you study, and what year did you graduate?
I studied An Ghaeilge agus na Meáin Úra (Irish and New Media) and I graduated in 2011.
3. Cén fáth gur roghnaigh tú dul le cúrsa in Ollscoil Luimnigh?
Thug mé cuairt ar an gcampus nuair a bhí mé fós san bhun scoil agus thaitin sé go mór liom. Tá sé go hálainn agus is duine sportiúil mé so mar gheall ar sin, phioc mé Ollscoil Luimnigh.
3. Why did you choose to study at University of Limerick?
I visited the campus when I was still in national school and I really liked it. It’s beautiful and I’m a sporty person so for that reason, I picked UL.
4. Cad iad na buaicphointí ba mhó a bhain le do chúrsa?
Ní raibh morán uair againn san seachtain so bhí seans agam am a chaith ar an gcampus, le cumann, ag imirt sport, ins na Stables agus ag casadh le cairde.
4. What were the highlights of your course?
I didn’t have many hours in the week, so I had a chance to spend time on campus, in societies, playing sport, in the Stables, and meeting friends.
5. Bhí deis agat foghlaim ó fhoireann acadúil aitheanta agus tarraingt ar áiseanna den chéad scoth in Ollscoil Luimnigh. Ar mhiste leat cur síos a dhéanamh ar an taithí sin?
Bhí taithí iontach agam i rith an céim. Bhí muid ag staidéir Freud, Carl Jung as teoiricí eile. Léamh mé leabhair ó scríobhneoirí Ghaeilge agus bhí caidreamh láidir idir na mhic léinn agus na léachtoirí mar ní raibh mórán daoine in san chúrsa.
5. As a University of Limerick student, you had the opportunity to learn from some of the top academic talent, in state-of-the-art facilities. What was your experience like?
I had a great experience during my course. We were studying Freud, Carl Jung and other theorists. I read books from Irish writers and we had a great relationship with our lecturers because there weren’t many people in the course.
6. Cén chomhairle a thabharfá do chairde léinn atá ag machnamh ar staidéar a dhéanamh in Ollscoil Luimnigh?
Déan é! Bhí am dochredite agam in Ollscoil Luimnigh. Bhí sé thar barr. An gcampus, na áiseanna, na daoine, an craic, tá sé go leor le fáil i UL.
6. What advice would you offer to students considering studying at University of Limerick?
Do it! I had an incredible time in University of Limerick. It was excellent. The campus, the facilities, the people, the fun, it’s all to be had in UL.
7. An raibh tú i do bhall d’aon chlub nó d’aon chumann? Ar mhiste leat cúpla rud a insint dúinn faoin taithí sin má bhí.
Bhí mé páirteach san cumann camógaíocht, peil na mban agus faisean. Is seans iontach é cairde nua a fháil san Ollscoil.
7. Were you a member of any clubs or societies? If so, tell us about your experience.
I was part of the camogie, ladies football and fashion society. It’s a great way to make friends in University.
8. Cad iad na cuimhní is fearr atá agat ar do chuid ama in Ollscoil Luimnigh?
Bhí an táim ar fad thar barr. Bhí saol aláinn agam i UL. Bhí grúpa mór againn le chéile ar feadh na blianta agus bhí craic agus cuimhní dochredite agam.
8. What are some of your favourite memories from your time here?
The entire time was amazing. I had a lovely life in UL. There was a large group of us together for the years, and we had great fun and I’ve amazing memories from that time.
9. Tá cáil ar Ollscoil Luimnigh mar ‘Home of Firsts’ – an dtagann tú leis sin? An raibh aon chéad taithí phearsanta agat féin gur mhaith leat a roinnt linn?
Thosaigh mé an colúnaí ailleacht in san nuachtán An Focal.
9. UL is known as the ‘Home of Firsts’ – are there any important ‘firsts’ that you experienced here, that you would like to share?
I started the beauty column in the newspaper An Focal.
10. An bhfuil aon suíomh nó ionad ar leith ar an gcampas atá gar dod’ chroí?
Dromroe. Bhí chónaí orm i Dromroe san chéad bhliain. Ní raibh aithne agam ar mo chomrádaí tí ach tá muid fós cairdiúil anois. Is áit speisialta é. Bhí chónaí orm i Elm Park san dara bhliain, agus tá cuimhne spraoiúl agam ón áit sin freisin.
10. Are there any campus locations that hold special significance to you?
Dromroe. I lived in Dromroe in first year and I didn’t know my housemates but we are all still friends now. It’s a special place. I lived in Elm Park in second year, and I’ve fun memories from that place as well.
11. Conas mar a d’ullmhaigh do chúrsa agus do chuid taithí ginearálta in Ollscoil Luimnigh tú don suíomh oibre?
Fuair mé taithí iontach i UL ag scríobh don Focal agus chuaigh mé ag staidéir i Malta i gcomhair Erasmus agus freisin bhí mé ag stadiéir iriseoireacht. Tar éir sin, thosaigh mé ag scríobh don páipéir áitiúil sa mbaile.
11. How did your course/s and your overall UL experience prepare you for entering the workplace upon graduating?
I got great experience in UL writing for An Focal, and I went studying abroad in Malta for Erasmus and studied journalism. After that, I started writing for a local newspaper at home.
12. An bhfuil do chumas sa Ghaeilge ina bhuntáiste i do shaol gairmiúil?
Faigheann mé deiseanna dochredite mar gheall ar an ghaeilge. Bím ag obair le TG4 ar Rásaí Beo gach bhliain, agus baineann mé an taitneamh as.
12. Has your career benefited from being a Gaeilgeoir?
I get great opportunities because of the Irish. I work on Rásaí Beo on TG4 every year, and I really enjoy it.
13. Cén fáth go raibh sé tábhachtach duit deis a bheith agat an Ghaeilge a labhairt agus a staidéar?
Nuair a bhí mé óg thug mé cuairt ar TG4 agus ón am sin bhí mé ag iarradh obair ann.
13. Why was it important to you to speak and study Irish?
When I was young I visited TG4 and from then, I wanted to work there.
14. Ar mhiste leat do stádas reatha gairmiúil a léiriú dúinn?
Bím ar an Today Show are RTÉ le Maura, Sinead agus Dáithí; le feachaint ar Rásaí Beo ar TG4, ag obair ar phodcraoladh, ag tuairisciú ar na meáin shosialta ar cúrsaí sport, mar shampla Off the Ball agus Balls Media.
14. Could you update us on where you are now in your career?
I’m on the Today Show on RTÉ with Maura, Sinead and Daithí; you can see me on Rásaí Beo on TG4, working on podcasts, reporting on social media on sports, for example Off the Ball and Balls Media.
15. Luaigh buaicphointe gairmiúil éigin go dtí seo?
Aon am atá mé ar an teilifís, is iontach an seans é. Bhain mé ghairm atá lán le buaicphointí agus deiseanna dochcredite.
15. What has been a career highlight so far?
Anytime I’m on TV, it’s a great occasion. I’ve built a career that’s full of highlights and incredible opportunities.
16. Cad iad na pleananna atá agat don todhchaí?
Níos mó teilifís, raidió, phodcraoladh, tuairisciú sportiúil; agus ba mhaith liom obair ag imeachtaí thar lear.
16. What are your plans for the future?
More television, radio, podcasts, sports reporting; and I would like to work at events abroad.
17. Ar mhaith leat aon eolas eile a roinnt linn?
Ná tabhair suas ar do paisean.
17. Is there anything else you would like to share?
Never give up on your passion.