Deirdre qualified as an architect in Ireland where she gained over ten years of experience in new build, adaptive re-use and alterations and additions to historical buildings working for the likes of the Office of Public Works and Scott Tallon Walker.

Swapping U-values for R-values, puffins for penguins, Deirdre headed to Melbourne "for a year or so" with her Aussie beau. That was in 2006.

Since moving to Australia, Deirdre has continued to expand her architectural and technical knowledge, particularly in the field of historical buildings, and has a running list of "clock towers I have ascended”. A closet modernist, she revels in the unravelling the rational construction methodologies so often concealed by Victorian embellishment.

Deirdre currently works across the architectural and conservation team at RBA, with the occasional foray into heritage consulting.