Una-Minh Kavanagh

Úna-Minh Kavanagh Journalist | Travel Blogger | Content Creator I’m a content creator based in Dublin. I’m originally from Kerry, a fluent Irish speaker and a big lover of travel, social media, video games, mental health writing and cooking. I graduated with a BA in Irish and Journalism, am Ballymaloe-trained, HACCP-qualified and have been working as a creator in Dublin for the past 6 years. Email:- @unakavanagh Mobile: - Travel Website: www.beforemymamdies.com ___________________________________________________________________________________ Education: September – December 2014 Ballymaloe Cookery School Trained in Ballymaloe Cookery School in culinary arts and wine, under the tutelage of Darina Allen, Rachel Allen, Colm McCan and Rory O’Connell. Awarded with a Commended certificate, a Distinction in Wine and certificate in Food Hygiene and HACCP. September 2009 – June 2012 Dublin City University - BA Irish and Journalism My thesis, “Anailís ar Iriseoireacht Saoránach i gComhthéacs Tuairisciú Nuachta ar Líne le Storyful agus Tríd na Meáin Shóisialta” (An analysis of citizen journalism in the context of the newsroom through the use of social media), was written completely in Irish and focused on Storyful, where I took an in-depth look on how they verified stories online. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Work Experience: Freelance Content Creator and BloggerMarch 2016 – Present I cover a variety of things including helping businesses run and set-up their social media, basic image editing, as well as covering events for their blogs. I also run Irish Job Fairy – a job listing account - as part of my services. People I work/worked with on a freelance basis include: TG4, Lonely Planet, Work & Life Magazine (Fórsa/IMPACT), H+A Marketing, bdifferent.ie, Kerala Tourism, IMMA, Yes Chef Magazine, Sligo Food Trail, Kingdom Guided Tours, Ireland's Blue Book and British Council Ireland. Digital Content Manager - Cooks AcademyOctober 2015 – March 2016 I covered the day-to-day content and marketing for Cooks Academy on South William Street. This involved everything from social media management, content strategy, food blogging, photo and video editing, food styling and admin work. No two days were the same, and I was often found on the floor interacting with students or at my desk editing blogposts, website content and images. I was also heavily involved with the organisation and planning of guest demos. Catering Cook - Knockadoon Youth CampOctober Weekend 2014 While studying at Ballymaloe, I took a weekend out to cater for about 60 young leaders at Knockadoon Youth Camp in west Cork. I planned camp meals that suited the campers, budgeted for ingredients and also ran the whole kitchen for the weekend. Staff Writer – Her.ieJune 2013 – June 2014 I covered news, viral and lifestyle stories that featured across sections of the website. My love lay with the "Food and Drink" section. I had an ongoing series called "Food for Thought" that covered the history of food, "Seven Ways", a feature piece on various ways with foods, "Cheese of the Month" and a weekly mental health piece. Facilitator of @Ireland Twitter accountMay 2012 – April 2013 My role involved organizing the running order of curators. While I was involved with the account it grew from 3,000 to more than 15,000 followers. Community Journalist – WorldIrishMay 2012 – April 2013 I wrote everything from current affairs, interviews and Irish language pieces to viral content. I was also responsible for the initiation of the Irish Term of the Day, which was a daily feature to encourage the use of the Irish language, as well as useful material for the national and international audience. During my time as part of the team we saw membership grow from 20,000 to 70,000, with over 30,000 likes on Facebook and 10,000 followers on Twitter. Content Editor - JustEat.ieOctober 2011 – April 2012 I was actively involved in running the JustEat.ie blog, national and local competitions and social media output. I filmed, edited and provided voiceover for “The JustEat Apprentice”. Intern Journalist – StoryfulAugust (2 weeks) 2011 As an intern journalist I wrote stories that were regularly published online. I was also part of the team curating content from all over the world, verifying sources and information from places like The Philippines, Egypt, Syria and Norway. Cinnire and Árd-Chinnire - Coláiste na bhFiannSummer2009 – Summer 2011 Having had a keen interest in Irish from an early age as a result of it being my first language, I took great pleasure in being able to support the management of Coláiste na bhFiann, along with helping to look after the students attending the courses during the summer months. I also filled in for teachers when they were absent. Feighle - Cumann na bhFiannSeptember 2009- March 2010 I was in charge of a local youth club in Glasnevin which was a branch of Coláiste na bhFiann, running throughout the school year. I organised games, competitions, events, and outings as well as looking after children at the club. Voluntary Experience: SpunOut.ie ContributorJanuary 2015 Mental Health Ambassador for See ChangeMarch 2014 – Present Irish Quality Food Awards Judge July 2015 - 2016 Irish Editor, The College ViewApril 2011 – November 2012 Radio Presenter, Freagraí na Seachtaine, DCUfmFebruary 2011 – April 2011 Deputy Irish Editor, The College ViewJune 2010 – April 2011 ___________________________________________________________________________________ Achievements: 2003 Grade II in Speech and Drama – First Class Honours 2004 Certificate in Small-Boat Sailing 2005 Intermediate Grade in Small-Boat Sailing 2006 Grade III Pianoforte – Honours 2007 The Gaisce Award – Bronze 2007 Grade II with Medal in public speaking – First Class Honours 2008 European Computer Driving License (ECDL) 2008 Winner of Tralee District – Soroptimist International Public Speaking 2008 Regional Finalist – Soroptimist International Public Speaking 2013 Shortlisted for Best Blog Post and Best Personal Blog in the Blog Awards Ireland 2014 Nominated as journalist of the year in Rabo Tweetie Awards. 2014 Voiced national TV and radio campaign called “Little Things” for mental health awareness 2015 Shortlisted for Best Food and Drink Blog in the Blog Awards Ireland 2016 In the Top 4 for Best New Irish Travel Blog at the Travel Media Awards 2016 Finalist for Best Travel Blog the Littlewoods Ireland Blog Awards 2017 Winner Social Media Activist U Magazine 30 under 30 Awards Interests: I run a travel blog www.beforemymamdies.com my Mom and previously spillthebeans.ie. Both have been nominated for blog awards. In my spare time I also admin the Irish Blogger Support Network, Journalism and New Media Jobs and The Republic of Gaming group. I also run the Irish Job Fairy account that has over 24,000 followers on Twitter and 8000+ on Facebook. I’m a geek at heart, love gaming and I also love keeping up with current affairs. References available on request