The Breifne Armada Interpretative Centre
My mother trained as a textile artist. Colour filled my life. I loved stained glass and made my first window for GCSE in a professional workshop in Derry. Proceeding to University of Ulster and Sunderland’s National Glass Centre seemed natural progressions. However, the ceramics department captured my heart. Returning to Craigavon, I set up a ceramics studio and taught community crafts. I bought an abandoned house, fixed it up and improved its thermal performance. It led me to ITSligo to study Architectural Design and to learn about low-energy materials and structures. The Breifne Centre expresses my commitment to historical context and the interpretation of place.
I grew up in Craigavon, a new town experiencing social disintegration and economic stagnation. I lost my childhood home in an arson attack just as community safety initiatives began tackling the causes of crime. This raised my awareness of urban design and why it matters.
