Teresa - The Bold One

Role at Baileo

I drive the bus and keep my sisters motivated and focused. I help them all play to their strengths, contributing what they can when they can. We all have multiple responsibilities that need to be catered for.

I also fill the gaps, making sure everything is taken care of, like budgeting and investment. My experience as a CEO for a number of organisations comes in very handy.

Lives

For most of the year I live with my husband and soul-mate on our beautiful 50ft sailing boat. We can be anywhere.

We’ve voyaged across the mighty Atlantic, two wanderers in awe of the vast expanse. We’ve shared the pure dark nights and the wonderful dolphins who came to play on Christmas morning two thousand miles from land. Together, we navigated the coast of America, the Caribbean islands and on to Colombia, Panama and the Rio Dolce in Guatemala where we drift off to sleep to the exotic sounds of the rainforest that surrounds us.

Loves

Music. I love a range of sounds, from my husband singing, to the wind rustling through the trees and the surf rolling onto the shore.

Getting together with my brothers and sisters. It’s time for the craic, to throw my head back and howl with laughter. I can only ever do this in Ireland!

Change. I love new places, things, people, and gadgets – I’m definitely an early adopter, and known as “the gadget queen”.

Her story

I’m a student of ‘youth’ and have three degrees in the subject. I’ve always been a keen advocate of the young reaching their potential, regardless of their circumstances.

I’ve always worked with ‘at risk’ youth, starting on the streets of Downpatrick during the peak of The Troubles, then moving to England to protect young Asian women running away from arranged marriages, and then caring for abused children. I can safely say that I helped save a few lives along the way.

I married an Englishman, also gaining two step-daughters and two grandchildren. Life is never dull.

When my husband injured his back in a car accident in 1995 and couldn’t race dinghies any more, I arranged a surprise flotilla holiday in Greece. The bigger surprise was that I absolutely loved it. I’ve sailed close to 30,000 miles since, just the two of us – and I still can’t swim.

I’m a frequent visitor home to Ireland, more-so during the years when our mother suffered from Alzheimer’s and the family worked 24/7 so she could stay in her own familiar surroundings. Wherever we sisters were in the world at that time, we came home. I will never forget that devotion nor the care shown by my brothers who were way outside their comfort zones.

What does heritage mean to you? 

My heritage defines who I am. It has influenced my values, especially my sense of fairness and love of family, and it has given me a host of stories to tell and songs to sing. I like the humour and the way we don’t take ourselves too seriously. 

I feel special and privileged to be Irish – and no one is left in any doubt of that.

What makes you feel at home? 

The craic around a table with family and friends. This can be in the kitchen, the pub, or even the cockpit of our boat. 

I surround myself with keepsakes from home and gifts from friends and family, so I’m connected with those I love. Even on the boat I have a stack of Irish songbooks, musical instruments, pictures of beloved scenes and the odd Irish blessing. (I have a few of the Irish curses too – they’re great talking points.)

What do you want Baileo to be?

I want Baileo to be a loved, lively, entertaining, informative and successful trading platform for all things Celtic, inspiring our visitors to own or do things that help them connect with their heritage. I want them to ‘pass it on’.

I want Baileo to challenge' ‘twee’ notions about Celtic heritage in favour of authenticity, good taste, class and quality. To show people ways in which they can acknowledge their heritage on their person, and in their homes, offices and dens. To encourage them to play the music, tell the stories, share the blessings, and bring a little Celt to the big moments in their lives. 

I want Baileo to be in people’s homes – and to feel like their home.