For the day that's in it...Five Inspiring Meath Women share their stories
SINEAD BURKE
She may be small in size but after receiving an invitation to the White House and securing the official introduction of a new phrase into the Irish language, she is proving herself to be huge in stature!
Sinead Burke makes you smile. It’s as simple as that.
The 26-year old Navan PhD student’s 3ft 5inch frame is brimming with so much confidence, enthusiasm and optimism that you just can’t help yourself beam.
MAGS BELLEW
When does the tipping point come? When do you decide that enough is enough, if the direction your life is taking is leading you blindly towards oblivion? For Navan native Mags Bellew the warning signs and red flags were coming thick and fast, she just didn’t see them, didn’t want to acknowledge them, wouldn’t let them in. When reality inevitably bit, it bit hard.
She takes up the story from 2001 when, newly qualified from college in taxation and legal studies she launched straight into the world of high finance, working in hedge funds in Dublin and eager to make headway up the corporate ladder.
NORA CONNOR
The Connors of Duleek are a normal, happy and loving family with a very busy household.
Nora and Shane have created a loving home for their own two children Chloe (18) and Aoife (14) as well as for the two children they are fostering.
An eight year old girl and her seven year old brother have been very much part of their family for the past four years and Nora explains that they have become permanent members of their family.
“We know we will have them until they are 18 and they can stay with us as long as they want after that - this is their home. They are our son and daughter now and we love them as our own,” she says.
NATALYA COYLE
On 20th January, Natalya Coyle was crowned the Meath Sports Person of the Year. It was the final accolade to recognise what was a sparkling 2016 for the Tara modern pentathlete which saw her claim World Cup glory and produce the performance of a lifetime to seal seventh spot at the Rio Olympic Games.
It has been an unforgettable journey for Natalya, daughter of Tayto Park entrepreneur Ray and Ros Coyle, one that started years before she first leaped to public attention with a sparkling ninth place finish at the London Olympic Games in 2012.
Natalya has made many sacrifices on her journey to be the very best, but the athlete herself doesn't see it like and regards the road traveled as being well worth the journey.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
MARIE HATCHER
A Meath mum has saved the lives of hundreds of newborn babies through her foundation, which has made screening for critical congenital heart defects mandatory in five US states.
Marie Hatcher started Matthew’s Hearts of Hope after her little boy was born with the condition and in just seven short years has managed to fund research that may prolong the life of other children with ‘half a heart’.