SHSS Alumnae Link - Dearbhla Cullinane

Welcome to SHSS Alumnae Link!

This is where we connect with past pupils and find out what they’re up to now.

This week we linked with Dearbhla Cullinane who graduated in 2016.

Name and position:

Dearbhla Cullinane, Anatomy Demonstrator at Trinity College Dublin.

Lives:

50% Dublin 50% Clonakilty

Best memory of Sacred Heart:

I adored school – it is impossible to choose just one moment... however, the musicals definitely stand out for me. I took part in the musicals from 2nd year right up to Leaving Cert. I learned so much about teamwork, perseverance, consistency, and all the ups and downs that are part of achieving goals - there were many times (2 weeks to curtain) where we thought we wouldn’t be able to pull it together and make it happen. One great memory was painting the stage sets for Voulez Vous (Mamma Mia) during TY. We were fairly protective over them – I'm pretty sure they are still there on the back of the current stage sets (you couldn’t possibly paint over them).  I also have some wonderful memories of my classmates. I remember Meadhbh Hayes and her guitar and all the singsongs we had during our last few days. 

What were your favourite classes?

I often struggle with Artistic Dearbhla vs. Scientific Dearbhla so I'd have to say equal love was given to Music, Art, and Biology. I’ll always remember Ms.Whyte and her methods for drilling melodies into us, and the way Ms. O’Connell would have us sit around a small table in the Art room to discuss our Art History – it was like a meeting of saints and scholars. And I’ll never forget how structured Mrs O’Sullivan’s biology notes were…it put my obsessively organised mind at ease! 

Tell us about your career progression to date:

Upon graduating from SHSS, I started my studies in Applied Psychology at University College Cork. This was an engrossing yet demanding degree, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Biology stuck with me throughout my time on the programme and I grew a strong interest in psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology. For those who don’t know what this is, it is the integration of psyche and physiology i.e mind-body interactions. This led me to take a slight U-turn and I started the MSc Human Anatomy also at UCC. 

I completed the MSc in August 2020 and started working as an Anatomy Demonstrator at Trinity College Dublin in October 2020. I’m still here and loving every moment of it! Next step is a medical degree, but I want to work and travel before I go down another demanding yet rewarding path. 

f you weren’t in the job you have, what would you be doing?

I reckon I'd be a dancer somewhere. The West End still calls me!

Advice you would give your teenage self:

Do not give up your hobbies in Leaving Cert – you’ll need them.

Favourite quote or motto?

What’s for you won’t pass you.

What is your hidden talent?

I’m pretty good at teaching dogs how to do their tricks. 

Huge thanks to Dearbhla for taking the time to answer our questions.

See you next time for SHSS Alumnae LInk.