Beginner’s Pluck: Averil Douglas Opperman

Rebelling against her parent’s wishes that she attend Trinity College Dublin, Averil joined the Irish Times as a cub reporter. 

Working in news, she frequently covered the Dáil, because of her family contacts. She became the Equestrian Correspondent, and later edited Irish Horse World whilst remaining on the Irish Times. She frequently commentated for RTÉ on events like the Dublin Horse Show.

“Those days were a riot. I was on the contraceptive train.” After 15 years, she went to England and lived in Winchester, before settling in Worcestershire. Since then she has practised freelance journalism, and, interested in local affairs, she wrote a prize winning history book of the parish.