Highflyer Mairaid keeps fashion in the frame
Julie Kenwell • Published 10 Feb 2012 09:30
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HIGH-flyer Mairaid McMahon from Castlecoole in Enniskillen is always co-ordinated when it comes to fashion.
Even though her job means she barely has a moment to herself, she still finds time to ensure her shoes, accessories and indeed glasses match her carefully chosen outfit each day.
The 29-year-old public affairs and communications officer has at least half a dozen pairs of spectacles to her name.
And when she took part in this week's fashion photoshoot, she couldn't be without a collection of her fashionable frames.
In a leopard print dress from Bank in Victoria Square and a cardigan and shoes from Monsoon, Mairaid explains that her work in public affairs for a voluntary organisation means she travels all around the North.
"I'm based in Belfast but there are also offices in Derry and Armagh," she says, "The nature of my work means I have to be up in Stormont quite a bit. I have to lobby committees about legislation, chat to MLAs about issues in their area. I really enjoy it. It's great to see that your work is making a real difference on a daily basis."
Originally from Bolton, Mairaid has been living in Fermanagh since 2001.
"My family are originally from here," she explains as she models a purple printed dress from Houstons with matching-coloured earrings and a pair of shoes from Dune.
"I lived in Bolton for 18 years and then came over here to do a degree at Queen's in Politics and Scholastic Philosophy.
"I ended up settling here, I never went back. I have always considered here to be my home anyway because my family is from Fermanagh."
Mairaid worked as a civil servant for six years before taking up her current post.
"I worked for a year in London as a civil servant and then the rest of the time I spent in Belfast," says Mairaid.
During her time in her previous job, she had the opportunity to participate in a leadership programme in Harvard University, Boston.
"That was an amazing experience," she says as she wears a jacket from the Rusty Zip on Belfast's Botanic Avenue, teamed with a pair of simple black trousers and a black top, "20 civil servants including myself went over in 2009 to take part in the Leaders for Tomorrow programme. We were there when Barrack Obama was being inaugurated. We were watching it on the TV in the JFK Building at Harvard while it happened. It was very emotional and amazing to be there and be a part of that!"
Through the programme, Mairaid had the chance to work with some of JFK, Hilary Clinton and Barrack Obama's aides.
"To work with those people and learn from them is something I will never forget," says Mairaid, "Barrack Obama is a huge inspiration to me. He is very much into local community issues and I would be the same. I like to be able to do something to give back to the community. When you think of where he has come from and what he has achieved, he is a very inspirational person."
Her only regret during her time in Boston was not having time to go shopping!
"There was a constant foot of snow there so we could't go too far," she laughs, "I got used to wearing flat boots everywhere, which is not like me at all -- I'm used to wearing fancy shoes all the time!"
Indeed, her fourth look of the day is a belted dress from Primark and a pair of shoes from Kurt Geiger, no less.
"I would say my style is very co-ordinated. I'm not a massive follower of fashion. I just pick out pieces that I like. I'm not a great one for labels. In fact, a lot of my clothes are from Primark or Dunnes Stores! I like Houstons in Enniskillen and I would go to Erneside to shop too. I don't get much of a chance to shop when I'm up in Belfast, but when I do, I like to go down to Victoria Square."
You wouldn't think to look at this glamorous lady that she is an avid country and western music fan.
But in her spare time she loves nothing more than writing her own country music or dancing the night away to Nathan Carter or Mick Flavin.
"I write my own stuff and I also play in the local choir for St Mary's Church, Lisbellaw," she says, "Daddy taught me and my sister, Roisin, the tin whistle when we were younger. That was my first instrument. I now have two guitars, a piano accordion, a keyboard, a drum kit to name but a few, none of which I have ever really mastered! But me and my sister have always been in ceili bands or schools plays, we enjoy that kind of thing."
And when she is not playing an instrument or singing, you'll find her on the dance floor at the nearest country music gig.
"I do a lot of dancing. I like to get out at the weekend to a country band. We would go to the Ryandale, the Mellon Country Hotel or down to Bundoran."
In her last outfit for the photoshoot, a military jacket from Primark and a dress from Miss Selfridge, Mairaid reveals she is currently learning to swim.
"I'm into week four of an eight week course, and I think it's going okay! On Tuesday nights I'm doing a dance class with my boyfriend. I love jiving so he is learning with me. And on Wednesday nights I am learning Irish. I don't really have time for anything else at the moment! At the weekend I like to get home to Fermanagh and just relax after a week at work!"
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 09 Feb 12
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