Former Fair City star Aoibhin Garrihy says “waiting for the phone to ring” was taking a toll on her mental health so she walked away from her acting career.
The 31-year-old Dancing With The Stars finalist is now happier than ever, relishing her recent move from Dublin to Clare where her husband runs a hotel.
Having giving birth to her daughter Hanorah last June, Aoibhin is enjoying a happier, more relaxed way of life as she expects her second baby in December.
In 2016, Aoibhin married John Burke, who runs his family hotel, the Armada in Doolin, and made the decision to make Clare home.
Since then she has been enjoying time with family – her parents are from Clare originally, although they raised Aoibhin and sisters Ailbhe and Doireann in Castleknock, Dublin.
Aoibhin, who appeared in The Fall alongside Co Down star Jamie Doran, said: “I was getting so frustrated waiting for the phone to ring.
“I hated the idea of my fate in someone else’s hands.
“I’m from a family of entrepreneurs and it didn’t sit right with me, the waiting for the phone to ring.”
Aoibhin revealed she had to be honest with herself and make some changes in her life.
She told the Sunday Independent’s Life magazine: “It was taking a toll on my mental health and I had to be honest and choose happiness.
“And the minute I made that decision it felt like a weight off. I was taking ownership of my career.”
Along with enjoying time with her growing family, Aoibhin has co-founded Beo, which hosts wellness events for women throughout the country.
She works on the project with her mother Clare as well as her sister Doireann and Eoghan McDermott, from 2FM’s Breakfast Show.
Aoibhin said: “It has given me so much pride and joy.”
