In 1996 a young 16 year old girl took her first job working in a cafe in city centre of Galway. Of course she had spelling mistakes in her hand written CV , but she got the job!

Little did she know then, while humming along in the wash up to ‘Killing me softly’ by the Fugees that one day she would return to carry on the tradition of serving the good people of Galway and beyond - Dreams do come true…..

Gill, a Galway girl, got her training under way in GMIT, getting a Degree in Business and Hotel Management. While finishing her Degree she also completed a Certification in Human Resources Management - knowing at some stage it would be beneficial because business is all about PEOPLE

She later moved to Edinburgh and made her first stab at owning a business setting up the Orchard Bar with her business partner Paddy - many a ‘lessons’ were learnt here!

Gill returned to Ireland and, after some time planning and searching, she set up the famous 37 West in Newcastle. 37 West was launched in 2013 and became famous for 2 things - the words ‘healthy is the New Sexy’ and the I famous Chicken Melt. In 2019 after a lot of thought she decided to sell her business, letting go to open up for new ways to serve. 

With people spilling out the doors of 37 West and requests everyday for a city centre location, Gill decided it was time to move into the city. When the deal arose for a take over at Lynch’s she jumped at it. May 2015 saw the day 56 Central was born in the heart of Galway on Shop Street.

Gill has many passions which fuel her daily , she loves the water and swims/dips weekly all year around in Salthill. Every year she adds a new hobby to experience from Art Classes, Water Sports, Cycling, Gymnastic, Pilates, Yoga she believes its important to try new things - as it brings new energy and new connections.

Travel is her major passion and combining it with something active is her jam , so trying to hold a yoga pose in Thailand or hiking up the side of a mountain in India or somewhere in the world is where is finds her peace and gets her energy to live a authentic life.

Gill is a qualified Business Coach and Mastermind Facilitator and runs a successful coaching and mastermind company called ‘Strive For It’ https://striveforit.ie/

Gills cores values which run throughout her life and business are - Connection, Contribution, Leadership Playfulness and Freedom

Gill has recently joined forces with her Brother Joe and opened Merge on High Street in 2022 specialising in Melts, Donuts, Coffee and Ice Cream

In March 2023 Gill was crowned ‘ Restaurant Manager of the year in Galway’ at the Restaurant Awards Ireland

If you’re looking for her …….. you will hear her laugh before you see her!