Corkonians Abroad: A Cork flag flies over my Swiss chalet...

Tell us were you are from in Cork, Therese?

I grew up in Farranferris Avenue, in Farranree. My father, Tom, worked in Sunbeam and my mother, Anne, worked first in Sunbeam, and later, when we were old enough, in Thompson Bakery.

We had a wonderful childhood, playing outside with all the neighbours, and I have only very happy memories.

I went to Scoil Aiséirí Chríost primary school and North Presentation secondary school in Farranree.

My love of music began already in primary school, where I learned to play the tin whistle and violin under the Suzuki method. We had some great teachers and took part regularly in Cór Fhéile, Feis Maithíu and Tops Of The Schools.

Secondary school was wonderful, and we had some great teachers.

Everyone was surprised when I took up bton with rivals Glen Rovers instead of playing camogie like my older sister with Na Piarsaigh.

Where do you currently live?

I live in Switzerland now, in Sion, Valais, a beautiful area with lots of sunshine and snow.

I also lived in Marlow in Buckinghamshire in England for three years (2001-2004) and Sydney in Australia for three years (2011-2014).

When and why did you first move to Switzerland?

I worked in Telecom Éireann in Dublin and had the opportunity to take a career break. I came to Bern in Switzerland for a year in 1986.

What is life like in your new home?

I’ve moved around a lot in Switzerland, living in Bern, Sion, Fribourg, Lausanne, and now Sion again.

I speak two languages - French and German - and rarely speak English these days. It’s not a myth that Switzerland is really clean and the trains are always on time.

I live in a mountainous region where sport is the main pastime - hiking, skiing, snow shoeing and cycling.

Unfortunately, I had a ski accident in 2019 and spent some time in a wheelchair. I can no longer undertake any of the sports mentioned above, but I play wheelchair tennis, which has been wonderful therapy for me.

I am married and have three sons.

What has been the biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge has been making Swiss friends. It’s very difficult to encroach on their friend groups.

How might you spend your weekends?

Unfortunately, since my accident I can’t really partake in weekend activities apart from concerts or museums and short walks.

I play Irish music about once a month in a bar with a group of Swiss musicians. We have a chalet in the mountains so spend the summer weekends up there barbecuing, etc. The view is breathtaking.

Tell us a bit about the culture of where you live?

The culture is similar to any other European city. When the sun shines, the terraces are packed with people eating and drinking. Sport and family play a big part in life.

What are the main differences to life in Ireland?

Switzerland is extremely clean, everything is on time and well organised, and the health care is wonderful.

The weather is also much better, with temperatures reaching over 30C in the summer. In winter it IS cold, with temperatures sometimes plummeting to -10C or lower, but the houses are built for such temperatures.

We have winter tyres on our cars and the snow ploughs are in action as soon as the snow begins to fall.

People get up very early but also go to bed early. I am at the physio/gym by 6.45am four mornings a week and I play wheelchair tennis at 8am once a week.

Tell us your thoughts on opportunity - and how the a different part of the world might offer more opportunities?

I think there is a lot of opportunity to further yourself in Ireland with a plethora of courses being offered part-time at third level.

Living here in a small town, it can be difficult to find a course other than language or craft courses. I tend to do online courses in English.

Travel is easy as , and Italy are only a few hours away by car.

Any culture shock type moments for you over the years?

Yes - having to use the polite version of you (vous/sie) when addressing people.

Back in the 1980s, when I arrived, it was normal to share a washing machine with all the residents in the apartment block, having one day a week to do all the washing. Thankfully, modern apartments are permitted to install their own machines now.

Tell us about your line of work/career?

When my children were born, creches didn’t exist and we lived in a small town. I was unable to work as I didn’t have childcare.

At the time I was working in IT, which is very difficult to get back into after being out for 15 years.

When my children were old enough, I retrained as an ant and worked for a few years in that domain.

However, I haven’t worked since my accident as it is difficult to sit at a desk for more than a few hours.

For the last 20 years, I have been big into genealogy and spend a lot of time researching my ancestors.

My ion is helping people find their biological parents using DNA. So far, I’ve had quite a few successes.

I am currently studying online for a diploma in Genealogy at UCC.

What has been your most memorable moment in your new location so far?

I recently made my own violin with a Belgian luthier, Dieter Hillewaere, established in the next town. Needless to say, I am very proud of it.

My most emotional moment was dedicating it with an inscription inside to my life-long friend, Mick Power from Cork, who unfortunately died before he could see it.

Any special mentions to friends or family back in Cork?

A care package now and again wouldn’t go amiss!

If you were back in Cork for one day, what would be the ideal day for you?

I usually stay at The Address on Military Hill, which has a great view, so I would get up early and watch the sunrise over Cork.

Then, I would visit the city for shopping and reminiscing, take in The English Market, Nano Nagle Place, maybe a visit to Cork Archives or the Local Studies Library, a visit to a beach to feel the breeze and smell the sea.

Back at the hotel, I would watch the sunset over Cork.

No visit would be complete without an evening with my friends from North Pres. We spend the whole time laughing and I really look forward to it.

What are you looking forward to in the coming months?

I help organise an international wheelchair tennis tournament here so I am looking forward to that in September.

We get some of the top players from all over the world.

Is there anything that you especially miss about Cork?

Tanora, clove rocks and honeycomb from Linehans, Cadbury’s chocolate, the sea breeze and the beach, the craic, Irish music, Irish humour, and Irish people in general.

And, of course, most of all, I miss Cork. I have the Cork flag flying in the garden at the chalet.