Gemma Leahy

Gemma Leahy is a storyteller at heart, using travel as her medium to connect people more deeply with Ireland’s culture, history, and identity. Based in the UK, she balances a full-time career in learning and development with a growing platform dedicated to sharing a more meaningful vision of Ireland, rooted in neighborhood guides and local insights. “Living outside Ireland made me realize how big the world is when you step outside your comfort zone, but it also made me more aware of how special Ireland is,” Leahy explains. “Being away made me more proud of where I come from, and I found myself wanting to share that with people who had never been. What started as simply talking about Ireland online slowly grew into something much bigger, and now it’s become a huge part of my life alongside my main career.” As a queer woman, Leahy is open about the challenges of being visible online, particularly in spaces where her voice and identity aren’t always expected. “If anything, those experiences have made me more determined to be honest about who I am. If calling things out and continuing to do what I enjoy helps even one younger person feel more confident being themselves, then that’s enough motivation for me to carry on.” In the future, Leahy aims to transform her platform into a personalized travel business, helping first-time visitors discover a richer, more authentic Ireland. —AK