New waters charted as Roberta takes helm
Living in the Glen of Aherlow, at the age of 17 she embarked on a seafaring career which saw her yesterday become the first female commander of an Irish navy ship.
“I saw an opportunity when women were first allowed into the navy,” said Roberta. The year was 1995. She had just completed her Leaving Certificate and joined up with another woman.
This was to be the first chapter in her history-making career.
Arriving in Haulbowline, Co Cork, would have presented her with some nostalgia: her mother, also Roberta, grew up on the island and her grandfather and uncle had been in the service.
The young Roberta joined up as a cadet and two years later was commissioned to the rank of ensign.
A brother and sister also opted for a career in the Defence Forces, but they kept their feet firmly on dry land with the army.
After her commissioning she went to NUI Galway and completed a BSc degree.
While studying she also served onboard the LÉ Deirdre, LÉ Aoife and LÉ Emer, sharpening her naval skills in the process.
After departing university she was posted to the LÉ Niamh, taking on the responsibility of ship’s navigator.
For Roberta it was one of her most challenging roles, as the ship soon cast off for one of the longest voyages ever undertaken by the navy.
The LÉ Niamh had been tasked with promoting Irish products in Asia.
Roberta steered the ship through some of the world’s most challenging waters, as the vessel visited South Korea, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, India, Eritrea and transited the Suez Canal.
She came through with flying colours.
After a 30-month tour on the LÉ Niamh, Roberta returned to shore, attending the Naval College as cadet class officer and instructor.
On top of that she returned to university in her own time and successfully completed a postgraduate course in management and marketing.
This was followed by a spell as executive officer and second-in-command of the LÉ Emer.
Last October Roberta was posted to the Naval Operations Command, where she was group officer for the Naval Service Reserve (South).
A few months ago she was transferred to Naval Headquarters to work as staff officer for the flag officer commanding naval service in the service support section.
At just 31 years of age, Roberta made history again yesterday, when she took command of the LÉ Aisling, taking over from Lt Cdr Neil Manning.
“It is fantastic to make history. It is the dream of everybody to take command of a ship,” said Roberta.
She is just three ranks away from being the flag officer, the navy’s commander, so, might she make history again?
“I’d hope for career progression, but who knows?” she says.
As flag officers retire at 61, Roberta still has 30 years to hit the top.
“I see it’s possible that other women will look at me and know it is something that can be done,” said Roberta.
She added that about 7% of the navy’s 1,000-strong personnel are women. It is likely that percentage will grow in the years ahead.
When she’s not at sea she’s been known to be a good Gaelic footballer and rugby player. In addition she’s a good runner.
Despite her hectic work schedule she took time out in December 2004 to get married to a man who has his feet firmly set on the ground. The other half of the partnership is Captain Peadar O’Cathain, an artillery officer in the Irish Army.
He hails from Rosmuc Co Galway. Peadar has served overseas in Lebanon, Kosovo and Liberia.
As she takes to the seas as commander of her vessel, Roberta is certainly an inspiration to everyone to follow their dreams.
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