"In 1986, I damaged my voice box and, within a couple of years, my doctor advised that I give up work altogether. I said OK, this enforced early retirement means that I can do things I've always wanted to do. I started doing creative courses, including yoga and writing.

"Painting is what I get most satisfaction out of. A few years ago I had to take a break from painting for a year because of a personal crisis. When I went back I found that I had forgotten a lot - I suppose I was suffering from post-traumatic stress. I had to re-learn, and then I used painting as a form of therapy.

I show my paintings in the summer exhibitions around West Cork. Funnily enough, I sold in Bantry this year. An architect bought two paintings and he phoned and said he'd be interested in my portfolio. I think he thought I was a young about-to-be-discovered artist and he was about to make a fortune!"