Aoife Wafer: Wherever I go, I’ll always have an instrument with me
Aoife Wafer was awarded the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s XV’s Player of The Year. inn 2024 Picture: INPHO/Ben Brady
From captaining Ireland at under-age level to becoming one of the standout performers in the Women’s Six Nations, Aoife Wafer’s rise through rugby has been nothing short of remarkable.
Balancing elite sport with her physiotherapy studies, the Wexford native has also managed to travel widely along the way. Here, she reflects on the trips that have stayed with her.
I have four siblings, so when we’d go on holidays, it would be a big thing because there’s so many of us. We always kind of stuck with France or Spain, and it was always different campsites. We’d be staying in a caravan and just getting out and about. I remember going riding horses one day, or to waterparks, or just different things like that. We were always outdoors because my whole family are very active.
When we went to Spain, we’d always be going around with kids from other families, kicking a football or playing different sports in the pool. So we were always very active on holidays.
I think my trip to Monaco probably stands out most, just because of the occasion. I was there for the World Rugby Awards, so it was the first time I’d been put forward for anything like that. I was there with my mum.
World Rugby and the IRFU had flown us out. We were staying in a really nice hotel, and there were rugby royalty and superstars all around us.
The event itself was just spectacular. The princess of Monaco was there. It was just brilliant. We got to explore Monaco as well, walking the F1 track and seeing the casino and all those kinds of places. The whole trip was just brilliant, between the event and spending some time away in a spot I’d probably never have thought of exploring.
I think Germany, to be honest. I can’t remember exactly where but it was a school trip and we went to play Irish trad music. We went around Christmas time and it was just beautiful. There was snow every day, and we went to different Christmas markets. I didn’t really expect that from the trip but it was brilliant. I’d definitely go back again in winter because it was just such a great time to visit.
I play a few instruments myself and I rocked over to Germany with my class. I had my flute and tin whistle with me and we played a few Irish tunes for the school there. It was really cool to see their reactions to some of our instruments and to how our music sounds. They played some orchestral music, whereas our music is completely unique, and I suppose that’s why I love it as well. Wherever I go, I’ll always have an instrument with me, whether it’s to travel for a rugby tournament or a holiday.
I’m probably not much of a city girl — I’d much rather be in the countryside. However, when I went to New York, it was amazing. I’d never really been to a massive city like that before and it was incredible to see Times Square, Central Park, and places like that. We went around winter time and Central Park was covered in snow.
It’s exactly like the movies too. You’re walking down the street and recognising places straight away from different movies or series.
Vancouver, Canada, was probably one of my favourite places to go. It has a nice balance between the city and being very close to the sea and the countryside, with woods and really nice walks, so you get that quiet, calm outdoors side as well.
Probably out in Dubai. I don’t even remember the name but it was basically attached to a shopping mall, which was ideal for walking around because I don’t do well in the heat — I’d melt away! It had a really good pool, gym, and food.
We also stayed in one in England that was really random.
It was on a river, really old-style, and there was a bathtub right beside the bed. But the area was gorgeous.
I travelled to Toulouse in France before with some friends and stayed in an old-fashioned flat, which was really nice too.
New York was definitely memorable, to be fair. I have a very sweet tooth, so I loved everything there. We went to some old-style diners and, again, they were exactly like the movies. The pancakes, waffles... everything was so good.
You can’t go wrong with Italy’s food either. I love the gelato there and anything sweet but they also have some of the best food in the world.
I love being outdoors. I’d have to be doing something outside, I’d say. When we went to Canada, we went on a boat to see whales or up into the mountains just walking around. You’d see all sorts of animals like bears and that.
When I went to Wales, I climbed Snowdon with my dad — that was our holiday. So, yeah, I’m very much an outdoors person. I love it when I find a good outdoor spot where I can play a bit of music on my instruments too.
I feel like I have loads of bucket-list trips that I’d love to do but no real plans just yet as everything has to be planned around rugby. For example, I’d love to go island hopping in Thailand or go to Australia, South Africa, Fiji, or New Zealand.
In 2027, the Royal London British and Irish Lions tour is going to New Zealand, so hopefully I’ll be a part of that. I just have to keep working hard for it.
- Aoife is represented by Navy Blue Sports. Enquiries: fiona@navyblue.ie
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