Amanda was born in 1968 and lived in Leicestershire at date of interview. She is originally from County Monaghan where her parents met and married. Her mother converted to Catholicism and Amanda reflects on the importance of religion in the family. She is one of the youngest of ten children and describes growing up in a large family where her older siblings had begun to move away.

Amanda talks about her teenage years and experience of attending a Convent school and how she and others were treated. She discusses her and her family’s interest  and involvement in Irish history and politics of the time. Amanda describes herself as rebellious and concerned about injustice and her mother’s worries about this.

Her original plans to go to college to study Irish History, Politics and Society were thwarted by her exam results and after a period on a different course, Amanda talks about a summer visit to America which led to an extended stay and a decision to train as a nurse.

On return to Ireland to Amanda and her friend were accepted for nurse training in Bedfordshire in England. She describes travelling to England and meeting other Irish trainees who are still friends today.  She reflects on this period as a wonderful time with incredible memories.