Introduction
My ancestors were from the farmlands of County Galway, Ireland. Like those of many other migrants who adapt to their new surroundings, my family’s story is one of continuous change and integration. It is a survival and aspirational instinct that I have inherited and then developed that has enabled me to pursue my chosen professions of architecture and planning.
It was my maternal grandfather, Jim Maguire, who encouraged me to think ambitiously and welcomed my academic progress. He gave me a briefcase embossed with my initials as my getting-into-university present, whereas my parents with a passive acceptance of ‘their lot’ were much less enthusiastic, and transferred their anxiety about my aspiring to study for a professional career ...
