Ethan Mahony

Head and shoulders photograph of Ethan wearing a pale blue striped shirt, he has a beard and long braided hair on top shaven on the sides

Ethan features in our ‘Humans of LJMU’ series in collaboration with the ‘Humans of Liverpool’ social media account, sharing the stories of the people who make our city, communities and university the vibrant, inclusive place it is in celebration of our bicentenary year.

In his interview he reflects on moving to Liverpool from Ireland and the support he was given to pursue sport alongside his pharmacy studies.

“The first year I moved over here from Limerick was difficult because I didn’t know anyone. But you eventually find your tribe here. The lecturers at LJMU were great with support and they understood my circumstances the whole time.”

– Ethan Mahony

Ethan’s ‘Humans of LJMU’ interview

“The first year I moved over here from Limerick was difficult because I didn’t know anyone. But you eventually find your tribe here. The lecturers at LJMU were great with support and they understood my circumstances the whole time. There were times when I couldn’t go to labs because I was playing Hurling, I broke my ankles, and I had a few other injuries. And they were really cool about it. I’ve got a lot of praise for them; they really helped me get through the four years studying pharmacy.

“Now I’ve graduated and I’m a pre-reg pharmacist. I have to do twelve months here in a pharmacy before I’m fully qualified. I don’t have much time for hurling now, my life currently consists of working, studying and then I try and fit some PT work in as well. So, it’s quite a lot to juggle right now, but it should be worth it once I’m qualified. There’s a lot to take in right now, it’s a real baptism by fire. But my colleagues are great, they’re really helping me through it.

“I had my choice of a few different universities in England, but when I visited the other cities, my experience was that the people really just weren’t that nice to me. Liverpool was completely different, right away I noticed how warm and friendly everyone was. And sure, half the place is Irish anyway, there’s an Irish bar on every corner. Sure, half of us migrated over here fifty, sixty years ago. We’re cut from the same cloth really.”