I want to let you in on a little secret. Before I met the former editor of Irish Country Living, Mairead Lavery, I thought her to be a very formidable lady. That’s the truth.

Now this really had nothing at all to do with Mairead; more so to do with me. She was a respected journalist. She was frequently on radio and television and could voice her opinions very articulately. I was just a young one, fresh out of college and working in a call centre. But I desperately wanted a job in journalism, which I had studied for four years. Somehow, I convinced her to give me a job, to take a chance on me, and that will always be a pivotal moment in my life. When I didn’t believe in myself, Mairead believed in me and for that I will always be grateful.

Sometimes, the difference you can make by just giving someone a chance, is immeasurable to them

Years ago I remember my Leaving Cert maths teacher saying in class one day: “You only need one person to give you a job, just one bit of a job.” (This was possibly my biggest takeaway message from that subject.) And it proved to be true. Sometimes, the difference you can make by just giving someone a chance, is immeasurable to them. I only hope that, someday, I can help someone in a similar way.

When working under Mairead, she was the opposite of formidable. She was kind and compassionate; from the stories you were working on to personal problems, you could talk to her about anything. Having moved from being my boss to my colleague, she’s now a fond friend.

Mairead understands farming people, she was and is that soldier

You’re probably asking yourself at this stage – why is she telling me all this? Well, having stepped down as editor to become a journalist with this publication two years ago, Mairead is retiring this week.

Mairead understands farming people, she was and is that soldier. She championed our Women & Agriculture events for years and this week she speaks with our cover star, Catherine O’Grady Powers, a winner of one of those recent awards. The winners, runners-up and finalists will be featured over the coming weeks.

There is so much to say about Mairead. I could write about the numerous awards she’s won, the positions she’s held and the media she’s graced. But Mairead’s greatest achievements were accomplished behind closed doors. The long hours spent sitting at people’s kitchen tables.

She’s the type of person who likes to talk. To this day she still says: “Don’t mind an email, pick up the phone and ring somebody.” I think that during ‘lockdown 2.0’ we are now forced to live through, this advice is even more pertinent than ever.

Knowing Mairead, there could be plenty more to come yet, but do enjoy the break

On behalf of all the team, I want to wish Mairead the very best in retirement. Knowing Mairead, there could be plenty more to come yet, but do enjoy the break. Editor Amii McKeever is on annual leave this week, so I have even been entrusted with this space.

There is a lesson to be learned from both the former and current editor of Irish Country Living, it’s important to take a break, now more than ever. So, whether you’re on the frontline, have been working from home in the yard long before the pandemic, or the home office is a new venture for you, enjoy some downtime this week. You deserve it, times are tough.

I have not actually told Mairead I am writing this, but I think that’s OK. After all, she’s the very woman who told me early in my career: “Ask for forgiveness, not for permission.”

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