An Appreciation:DEIRDRE O'CALLAGHAN, who died last year at the age of 43, had an illustrious career in the media business. Over a couple of decades, she played an energetic role in publishing and new media, in France, Ireland and Scotland, bringing her communications skills and business acumen to bear on everything from startups to established companies.
Originally from Douglas, Cork, Deirdre was the only child of Tim and Kaye O’Callaghan. At school she showed a flair for the public speaking and debate that were to become her passion, both on and off the dais.
Her love of languages led her to study English and French in UCC where she became an enthusiastic member of the dramatic society, culminating in her role as director of The Public Eyeby Peter Shaffer.
After finishing her degree and higher diploma, she spent a decade in Paris, working as a teacher and translator before finding her niche in the new media sector of the newspaper and magazine publishing industry.
At the World Association of Newspapers (WAN), she showcased her networking skills, while in a later role at Hachette Filipacchi Grolier she managed the development of nine magazine websites, including the launch of Elle.com.
She returned to Ireland in 1998 to work for The Irish Timesas commercial manager for its electronic publishing arm. Deirdre threw herself heart and soul into this new venture and worked hard trying to understand the nature of the evolving industry. Her diligence triumphed in the period in which The Irish Times was launching under the web address ireland.com. But Deirdre was always ready for a new adventure and within two years had joined British media group, Trinity Mirror, to run its Scottish websites, launching its regional portal icScotland, and moving on to the start-up team for Bonnier Media to get its businessam.co.uk website off the ground.
Meeting Deirdre O’Callaghan could be an overwhelming experience. Her warmth and friendliness were irresistible, but her intellect and range of interests soon became apparent, as she sought common ground to put you at ease.
On her return to Cork in 2002 she retained her involvement in the newspaper industry, this time helping independent publishers in the former Balkans with online marketing strategies.
In late 2003, life took a cruel turn, when after a period of ill health she was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour. Subsequent surgery and intensive treatment in France reduced the tumour in size but left her with some paralysis. She recuperated with close friends in the south of France before returning to Ireland in late 2005.
The subsequent years saw her battle with epilepsy, fatigue, lack of mobility and a loss of some independence, which she had prized above all else. She uttered not one word of complaint. Her determination to live a rich life ensured she continued to write and learn, immersing herself in the arts and travel.
In 2008 she returned to her alma mater and enrolled in a master’s course in French. In December last year, she was awarded a posthumous MA by UCC. The citation described her as “an exceptional student of French culture over a period of 25 years”.
Her health started to deteriorate in early 2010. The tumour had started to grow again. In April 2010 she was admitted to Marymount Hospice. She died just 10 days short of her 44th birthday. Her body was cremated, with some of her ashes placed in the family grave with her beloved parents, while some went to Monjustin, a village in Haute Provence where she had close friends and spent many happy summers.
Deirdre O’Callaghan was an inspiring person. In addition to her talents as a linguist, business manager, communicator and lover of the arts, she was personable, passionate, generous and the most loyal of friends.
She is deeply missed by all who knew her.
"It's not that you have to achieve anything, it's that you have to get away from where you are." - Marguerite Duras ( The Lover)
– DR & DV