Me and My Travels: Sharlene Mawdsley — 'I didn’t really know what to expect from Tokyo'
Sharlene Mawdsley, the new ambassador for Shannon Airport
Fresh from being announced as an ambassador for Shannon Airport, Irish Olympian and European medallist Sharlene Mawdsley has been travelling at top speed both on and off the track.
The Tipperary native, who helped Ireland to gold and silver in the 4x400m relay events last year, is now setting her sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
From family fun in Mallorca to racing through Tokyo and switching off in the Bahamas, she shares the memories that keep her grounded — even when she’s flying high.
I never have just one favourite memory when people ask me to pick one, because I have too many — which shows just how lucky I am!
One that really stands out, though, is a holiday to Mallorca with my family and some close family friends.
We all flew from Shannon to Palma, and I still remember the excitement of heading out to Shannon Airport together.
It was such a fun start to the trip, and the laughs we had throughout the holiday are something we still talk about to this day.
Flying from Shannon was always so easy — no stress, no long queues, just straight into holiday mode.
Going to the sun was such a novelty when I was younger, so I appreciated it a lot.
My most memorable trip was probably to the Bahamas last year for the World Relay Championships.
Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to get to travel the world with the work I do.
The Bahamas was really eye-opening, but also amazing. We stayed in the Atlantis Hotel, and everything was just out of this world.
It’s one I definitely won’t forget in a hurry! Getting to meet local people in different places is always special, and I feel so blessed to have been in so many wonderful places.
Tokyo. I didn’t really know what to expect from Tokyo; the weather was crazy hot (I love that), and the place was beautiful and clean, and the people were so, so friendly.
I was really pleasantly surprised by it.
Tokyo had been a place I’d wanted to visit for a long time, so I feel really blessed that my sport brought me there.
The food was amazing! It was my first time having ramen, and sharing it with my team-mates made it even more special.
The Atlantis in the Bahamas. It was incredible.
The rooms were beautiful, with stunning decor and plenty to do!
The aquarium was the extent of our exploration until the competition ended, but afterwards, we headed to the beaches and a water park. It was definitely the most fun trip I’ve had.
Of course, it was made even better when we qualified to go to the Olympics, so I’m a little bit biased with this hotel!
I don’t particularly have a favourite city in the world. But I do remember going to Paris in 2023 to try to fall in love with the city before the Olympics took place in 2024, and it really worked!
I went during the Christmas period. The weather was dry but fresh and cold, and I explored everything I possibly could in the few days that we spent there. That was something really special.
And, of course, it would be rude not to mention the shopping… I’ll definitely be back!
Definitely trying sushi for the first time. I always told myself I hated it (until I actually tried it), and then I was pleasantly surprised.
It’s something I now look out for everywhere I go, and I love trying it from different places.
Going to the beach. I feel like I mentally switch off when I have a book and go to the beach, spending the day there.
It’s not something you get to do in Ireland very often, so I appreciate it so much when I’m away.
The food is also such an experience. I try to eat where the locals eat when I’m abroad.
Sometimes you can get trapped in touristy spots, and it never tastes the same as where the locals eat.
None in particular. I’m very fortunate to travel often and visit many places, so I don’t really have a “list” per se.
Instead, I have a list of places in my head to travel for six to nine months and explore many places — not backpacking, though. I’m more of a “hotel stay” kind of girl!
I love getting to travel with running, because I appreciate the one or two days you have when you get a break from training.
I’d be lying if I said I get to see much of any city still. You try your best, but most of the time, I’m heading to a cafe (and sometimes to get my nails done).
- Sharlene Mawdsley is an ambassador for Shannon Airport, a hassle-free airport with routes across Europe, the UK and US, renowned for its award-winning customer experience.
- Discover more at shannonairport.ie
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