In 2004 I took a year out of my job as an online journalist with RTÉ to live in New Zealand with the Kiwi Boyfriend, now the Husband – aka the Kiwi – and brewer at Eight Degrees Brewing.
Excited by the amazing food on offer and itching to write about it, I started Bibliocook in early 2005 (with help from Súil Design). From the blog I have have gotten freelance work, amazing opportunities, a new circle of friends – and, in 2007, the confidence to give up my permanent/pensionable job and move to a country cottage where I have kept hens, the occasional turkey and two little girls.
I am now a food writer, broadcaster and author. An experienced public speaker, I regularly curate and present events that may involve any or all of the following: blogging, craft beer, Irish cider, good food and cookbooks from around the world.
I co-wrote my first book, Sláinte: The Complete Guide to Irish Craft Beer & Cider (New Island) in 2014 with my friend and colleague Kristin Jensen of Edible Ireland.
I am a regular contributor of delicious audio treats to RTÉ Lyric FM’s long-running Culture File programme, on subjects including George Boole’s college puddings, letters to a bee keeper and Garrett Oliver – the man who puts the word master into brewmaster. I also contribute features to the Irish Independent, The Irish Times, Irish Examiner and Garden Heaven as well as writing for the Irish Country Living online blog.
Together with Kristin, I set up the Irish Food Bloggers Association in 2010 to promote food blogging and food producers in Ireland.
I now work with Eight Degrees Brewing on marketing, was once a (not very good) barista, am a constant baker and a McKennas’ Guides editor.
I was elected Chair of the Irish Food Writers’ Guild in 2021: Irish Food Writers’ Guild
You can find me on Twitter @Bibliocook and Facebook.
Instagram: see my – mainly – food-related pictures and follow Bibliocook.
Pinterest: great for keeping a list of recipes to try, ideas for the kitchen and Nice Things. Find me here.
Contact me: Cook at Bibliocook.com (replace at with @)
Disclosure Policy
I write this blog myself. There are no posts from other contributors, no one pays me to write here and I try to be honest, open and transparent.
I am also a freelance journalist so, if I receive an invitation to a relevant event where I will have an opportunity to learn something and share that with my readers – on this blog or elsewhere – then I may attend and write about it. In that case, I will let you know!
Most of the cookbooks on this site are review copies that I was sent by the publishers. I only review the ones that I think are worth reading and cooking from.