Hi, I’m Deirdre

Coach, Listener, Optimist

I've been coaching people through pivots, transitions and what's next for nearly twenty years. In 2025 I took the brave step to go out on my own and founded Éistim

Listening is at the heart of everything I do

Read my full story below ↓

MY CAREER

Nearly twenty years in the making

Throughout my career I've coached, managed and led teams primarily in higher education and the local authority sector. I've worked with hundreds of students helping them discover their unique learning styles and motivation. I'm most proud of Superstars: a programme supporting care experienced young people through their GCSE year and transition into post-16 education.

As Student Development Manager at Queen's University Belfast I wrote and developed the award-winning Career Boost programme. I've trained at the Co-Active® Training Institute, Thrive Coaching and Development, and One of Many®, and I'm part of the leadership team for the Association for Coaching in Ireland.

AC Accredited Coach · 100+ Coaching Hours · Emotional Intelligence Assessor · Cappfinity Strengths Assessor · One of Many® · AC Ireland Leadership Team

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AC Accredited Coach · 100+ Coaching Hours · Emotional Intelligence Assessor · Cappfinity Strengths Assessor · One of Many® · AC Ireland Leadership Team *

“

Who we are is how we coach

— Edna Murdoch, Coaching Supervision Academy

MY STORY

The whole of it

I grew up in Northampton, with Irish roots on both sides of my family. At 16 I failed my O'levels and found myself pregnant. I made the decision to have my baby girl adopted and three weeks after she was born, I went back to school to finish my retakes. There was no counselling back then. I just got on with it.

I did have therapy years later, and I'm so glad I did. That was the beginning of my own self-awareness journey and it's the reason presence and non-judgement sit at the heart of my coaching. My experience taught me resilience long before I had a word for it.

I moved to Liverpool to study Drama and English and brought up my three children by myself. My daughter found me and I'm now the proud mum of four incredible children and granny to four fabulous grandchildren. I am a very lucky woman.

NORTHERN IRELAND

I never left!

I moved here in my late 40s for a job and a new adventure. The beauty of this place never ceases to amaze me. The sea, the forests, the mountains: connecting with nature is my favourite way of coming back to the present moment. I bring that into my coaching too.

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