Family, Health, Ireland, Island life, Women, Writing

Short story winner!

I'm delighted to say that my short story Keel, an abridged narrative drawn from my as yet unpublished novel of the same name, has been announced as the trophy winner of the Impsired Soundwaves writing competition. The story is about female friendship and male coercive control and I will be performing it at a showcase… Continue reading Short story winner!

Family, Women in Sport, Writing

Another generation will have hope spring eternal, their faces uncharted by disaster

This is an article I wrote for the Sunday Post back in 2021. As Scotland men prepare to play their first match of the 2026 World Cup it is very relevant indeed! When I was growing up, Scotland was going to win the World Cup. Fact. Ally MacLeod told me. I had no reason not… Continue reading Another generation will have hope spring eternal, their faces uncharted by disaster

Family, Ireland, Women, Women in Sport

The inaugural Celtic history conference.

The first Celtic history conference was held yesterday (Saturday 6th June) at Celtic Park. As one of the conference organisers we believe this is first conference of its kind of any single football club, so it was a day of making history.The conference itself went incredibly well, kicked off by former Celtic player Tosh McKinlay… Continue reading The inaugural Celtic history conference.

Family, Ireland, Island life, Writing

The East Light, BBC Radio 4

I made a documentary for BBC Radio 4. It's an autoethnographical piece, written and recorded on Rathlin Island, where my father was born, and where his remains now rest alongside my mother. The documentary is called The East Light. Here's the blurb: Margot McCuaig visits The East Light, a lighthouse on Rathlin which holds memories… Continue reading The East Light, BBC Radio 4

Family, Ireland, Island life

Yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Yesterday, the 26th of May, marked six months since my beautiful daddy died on the 26th of November 2024. It also marks six painfully long months since I caressed my fingers around his, his voice no longer even a whisper, his light fading. In the early hours of that morning, I kissed him goodbye, praying… Continue reading Yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Family, Ireland, Island life

By God, the old man could handle a spade. Just like his old man.

When we were making the funeral arrangements for my dad's requiem mass and committal, Friday the 13th emerged as the first available date, but I didn't baulk at it. A date with such negative connotations was fitting. How could anything be positive on the day I would publicly say goodbye to my father? As it… Continue reading By God, the old man could handle a spade. Just like his old man.

Family, Film, PhD life

PhD draft. Breathe in, not out.

This is PhD chat, but because my PhD thesis is autoethnographical, it is also entwined in the personal by both circumstance and design. In my last update about my writing journey, I spoke about how I wanted to be able to finish my last draft chapter before Christmas, in the hope of spending the first… Continue reading PhD draft. Breathe in, not out.