I’m a 45 years old single mom of two, blown from Prague, Czech Republic, to small town on the west coast of Ireland. In my current position as Whiskey & Gin tasting guide for Kingdom Whiskey Tasting Events, I get to talk all things whiskey (and gin) to people thirsty to know.

I started working behind the bar in my early twenties while studying Physiotherapy at Charles University. Eventually in 2006, I arrived to Ireland to take a summer job in Michelin recommend restaurant, fell in love with the place and never left. Over time, I completed WSET levels 2 and 3 in Wines and became the front of house manager and head sommelier of that restaurant. But I was always drawn to the production process. Unfortunately wine growing isn’t something you’d find regularly in Ireland.

Covid diverted me to tour guiding via my love of history and in 2023 I took a job in Dingle Distillery as a tour guide under the guidance of Master Distiller, Graham Coull. From the moment I stepped  into the distillery, I knew that’s where I wanted to be. The smell, the heat, the bubbling yeast, the shine of polished copper... Graham recognised my passion and encouraged me to study and push forward. I have since completed WSET levels 2 and 3 in Spirits and CIBD Foundations of Distilling . I’m currently enrolled in General Certificate in Distilling with CIBD and dreaming of my own shiny copper beauty.

I have met many women throughout my 25 years in hospitality and drinks industry, Graham’s wife, Fay Coull, was my rock and shoulder through many difficulties, working side by side in distillery warehouse as the only women on the warehouse floor. I have Nuala Cassidy, the co-owner of Global Village Restaurant, to thank for bringing me up to the hard working professional I am today, expecting high standards from myself first. But my biggest inspiration and role model is my mother, smart, strong, independent woman she was, who had to overcome so many struggles.

I was recently invited to Women in Irish Whiskey event and it was great to meet many  other women of all ages involved in the industry in various positions. Women are not only in supporting roles, you find a woman in probably every position within the industry there is. So let that be encouragement for many more women to come...

Happy International Women’s Day!