Alumni Story – Diane Sutton speaks to Cynthia Ní Mhurchú

A well–known Irish television personality and champion of the Irish language, you may think you know about Cynthia Ní Mhurchú – but did you know she has been a practising barrister for the last 27 years? Having been elected as an MEP earlier this year, I thought it was a great opportunity to reflect on Cynthia’s career, find out what brought her to King’s Inns to do the Barrister–at–Law Degree, and discover what tips she has for BL students and graduates, or anyone considering becoming a barrister. 

CAREER START

Cynthia began her career as a Gaelscoil teacher in the 1980s, having completed her teaching training at Carysfort College Dublin. Describing Irish as “part of my bedrock” her love of the language was born in primary school in her hometown of Carlow, where an inspirational teacher encouraged pupils to go to the Summer Gaeltacht, organised through Coláiste na bhFiann. The teenagers kept up their exposure to Irish throughout the Winter months at the Irish speaking youth club Déagóirí na Dolmaine (a reference to the Brownshill Dolmen tourist attraction just outside Carlow town).

Principal of the Gaelscoil Cynthia worked in was “the iconic” Bríde de Róiste, known for numerous Irish language initiatives over the years including the Naíonra for pre–school children, Gaelscoil Cheatharlach and the Éigse Carlow Arts Festival, to name just a few. Cynthia loved teaching and being involved in some of those initiatives, however education cutbacks at that time meant her post wasn’t renewed. Browsing for teaching positions in the newspapers, an advert for an Irish language presenter for RTÉ current affairs programme Cúrsaí caught her eye and as Cynthia says, “the rest is history.”

RADIO AND TV

Presenting Cúrsaí live five nights a week, in the public spotlight for the first time, was “terrifying, exhilarating and amazing.” Cynthia says she was on a steep learning curve albeit with a “master trainer” in Eoghan Harris. She moved from politics to entertainment on ‘Scaoil Amach an Bobailín’ with Seán Bán Breathnach. As a freelancer, she also covered documentaries, current affairs programmes, radio, print journalism, online publications, the Lotto Draw (live twice a week), and of course co–presented the iconic Eurovision Song Contest in 1994 with Gerry Ryan. It was all go, a happy time overall, but whilst the image portrayed of her at times may have been “the unflappable ice maiden” (her own words), she was still trying to navigate the grief of her father Brendan’s sudden death in her Leaving Cert year.

KING’S INNS

After ten years at RTÉ, having achieved a lot and dealt with a lot personally, Cynthia was ready to move away from such a public life and decided to study law at The Honorable Society of King’s Inns, a path taken by several journalist colleagues at that time. She attended the Diploma in Legal Studies by night and worked by day (“very do–able”), leading to the Barrister–at–Law Degree, with a wide variety of interesting classmates from different walks of life some of whom are now recognisable names themselves within the judiciary, media, politics and journalism.

Cynthia says she found law new and exciting, enjoying the lectures and the collegiality of Dining. With her focus while at King’s Inns on academics, she says she didn’t fully appreciate the importance of that collegiality and relationship building as a Barrister until after her Call to the Bar in 1997.

I asked if she had any advice for incoming or current Diploma or BL students at King’s Inns, she said the following: –

“Embrace the course fully, from every aspect. Try not to get too fixated on a particular aspect of the law. I have seen a dramatic change since my training years; I was trained to be a general practitioner, nowadays I see a lot of specialist bars. That may not suit every barrister. If you do choose to specialise, still consider devilling outside that specialty or consider continuous professional development in a different area to your own”.

And for those graduating from King’s Inns, or in their first few years of practice: –

“Relationships are important. Don’t forget there is a power imbalance between you and your client, particularly in family law – be mindful of that. Try not to make the client feel more nervous and more uncomfortable. Foster relationships with your peers – give solicitors your attention. Your colleagues are gold, an important asset – junior counsel, senior counsel, judges and court staff. Judges are the referees in the whole courtroom scenario and should be respected at all times”.

Also, I would like to say to anybody out there, particularly women, who feel that they (like myself) suffer from imposter syndrome – it’s not about brilliance, it’s not about “womansplaining” or “mansplaining” or being the best in the room – it’s about being detailed in your attention, having good follow through, a good work ethic and turnaround.”

BARRISTER LIFE

Cynthia completed her pupillage at the Bar of Ireland with Paul Coffey (now Judge of the High Court) and Michael MacGrath (now a Judge of the Court of Appeal). Some of the skills she had developed during her time in journalism would stand to her in her work such as dexterity of mind, the ability to move quickly from one topic to the other, and the ability to adapt to last–minute changes.

After pupillage she moved back to Carlow to start her family. With a strong worth ethic, I wondered how Cynthia found the balance between her working life as a barrister and having a young family. She worked soon after her children were born (three weeks after the birth of David she was back in Court, and after the birth of her daughter Rachel she was on air the next day with Raidió na Gaeltachta!). Juggling breastfeeding in car parks and childcare, Cynthia stresses she had a village to help, for which she is forever grateful – her husband John, her Mum Columba, John’s parents Madge and Paddy and her friend Noeleen.

One of the highlights of her time at the Bar was her work with the Legal Aid Board – she feels the experience of losing a parent at 17 has given her a better understanding of others in pain, and empathy when dealing with clients going through difficult situations via the legal system.

“I really enjoyed working for Legal Aid clients. For me it’s not just about providing a professional service, knowing how to mediate effectively – it’s about how you treat your clients when they are going through that process. As a professional you can have a serious beneficial effect on their lives”.

The next step – an EU Career

Having served her clients as a Barrister, Cynthia has decided to embark on a new adventure in the world of politics as an MEP. She will of course use Irish in her work in the European Parliament and is very supportive of the King’s Inns’ Advanced Diploma courses in Lawyer–linguistics and Legal Translation which prepare students to take up rewarding Irish language positions with EU institutions. 

She confirms she will miss the excitement of her Barrister career, that unique collegiality and goodwill – it is clear she loved her job. I was curious to know what she would miss the most about being a Barrister: –

“I am going to miss the excitement of getting instructions at the last minute and having to read late into the night. The excitement of thinking about the case on the way to the court venue, working out the arguments having immersed myself and making notes. I loved it all, putting in 150%. My colleagues, judges, court staff, across the board – everyone has been amazing, they have given such unstinting support – I really want to take this opportunity to thank them.”