Each month, the Alumna Spotlight highlights the journeys of Alex Alumnae, showcasing their achievements and the impact their experiences at Alex have had on their careers and lives. This month we are delighted to feature Liz Connaughton, Alex Class of 1997 and Director of the Bloomfield House Hotel.
What were your career aspirations while still at school?
Staying out of trouble and having a laugh. Career aspirations remained both a challenge and a mystery!
What led you to pursue your current career?
After travelling for a year in Asia and Australia, I owed my dad money and he suggested I work for him for six months in our hotel in Mullingar, Bloomfield House Hotel. Twenty-one years later, I am still working there. Over this time, I have taken over the running of the hotel and we have grown from strength to strength. We employ 200 people and welcome over 68,000 guests a year.
How did your time at Alex influence your path?
Every friendship formed was important to me. I found the teachers in the college were incredibly kind to me and patiently assisted me to get through my work. We, as students, had great fun with our teachers. Fun was at the centre of all we did. I got on best with the teachers who had a good sense of humour and who did not take small issues too seriously. I have found now, as an adult, that having a sense of fun and humour is a great coping skill in tough times.
I had a special bond with my English and Irish teacher, and my art teacher. I always looked forward to the ‘craic’ in art class during the ‘double’ on Fridays in 6th Year.
What has been the highlight of your career to date?
Surviving COVID-19 as a business owner has been the greatest challenge so far. I had to diversify to survive, as did we all in the business. I began selling coffee from a catering van on the grounds of our closed hotel. Securing a vaccine centre on the grounds of Bloomfield House was a godsend. After vaccinations, our coffees were a great hit!
On a personal note, surviving cervical cancer in 2016 was a serious wake-up call for me. I learned a lot about myself, my priorities and the things that really matter in life. I will forever be grateful for the treatment I received at St James and St Lukes hospital.
What advice would you give your schoolgirl self?
Don’t home (dorm) dye your hair yourself ever! Don't take yourself so seriously, and don't worry as much about exam results. Don’t smoke, because you only have to give it up. Listen to your parents, they are always right.
