I am a small-batch potter working from my garden studio in Jordanstown, on the north shore of Belfast Lough. Predominantly a wheel-thrower, I focus on the transformative nature of clay, carefully bringing shape and form to each piece to create both functional and sculptural ceramics.

My practice is deeply influenced by the landscapes and shorelines of Ireland—particularly the Glens of Antrim—as well as maritime culture, lighthouses, and the rhythmic cadence of the Shipping Forecast. These elements drive me to explore conceptual themes of resilience, weathering, and place.

While I spent over twenty years serving as a nurse in Belfast, ceramics has been the constant thread in my life since a toy pottery set first sparked my imagination at age nine. That early fascination eventually led me to follow a 'crazy dream,' transitioning from healthcare into formal study. I completed my HND in Ceramics with Distinction at Belfast Metropolitan College in 2024, balancing my part-time studies with my roles as a nurse and mother of four.

In October 2025, my work reached a significant milestone when I was awarded the Irish News Prize for Most Outstanding Work by a Non-Member at the 144th Royal Ulster Academy (RUA) Annual Exhibition. My winning installation, Materia Medica, directly bridges my two vocations; it features a series of ceramic bottles inspired by antique pharmaceutical vessels that examine modern 'ailments' like burnout and vulnerability, each containing a porcelain 'prescription' for reflection.

I primarily work with white stoneware, buff, and toasted clay bodies, firing each piece twice, first to a 1,000°C bisque and then to a 1,220°C glaze finish. My studio,

Moneyvart Ceramics is named after the townland of Moneyvart (Monadh na bhFeart) near Cushendall. Meaning 'the hill of the miracle,' it is a place that remains the spiritual and visual heart of my practice.