Mountmellick woman, Mona Conroy, could write a book about her globetrotting adventures.
Now 85 years of age, Mona who grew up in the Dangans and who went to The Rock National School and the Presentation Convent, Portarlington, has had a colourful career and travelled to and driven in far-flung destinations.
From the time she was a child, she wanted to travel.
“I couldn’t see myself in one place for too long,” she recalled.
After finishing school, she worked in the civil service as an income tax officer for three years, hitchhiking around this country and Scotland in her time off.
She then joined the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary and was with them for 14 years. Having qualified as a radiographer in 1968, she worked with the order as a radiographer in Zambia for five years.
“When I left the convent I worked as a radiographer in St James’ Hospital, London, for four years.
“While there, I studied for the higher diploma in radiography and then went to Canterbury where I studied for the teacher’s diploma for post-graduate students. I spent most of my holidays in different countries on the continent,” Mona recalled.
She taught radiography students in St Vincent’s Hospital for a year and then spent four years as head of radiography training in Ibadan, Nigeria.
“They were also taking the College of Radiographers Examination, London, the same examinations the British and Irish students sat,” she said.
Mona joined the World Health Organisation from 1981 to 1991 as a radiography teacher. “I worked with them in Malawi, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.
“My remit was the development of a radiography training programme in each country and assessment of x-ray facilities to include recommendations for improvement where necessary, and training of staff for health centres and clinics,
“When I worked with the World Health Organisation I had a business class ticket home each year for my annual holidays. I converted it to a basic rate ticket and included trips to other countries, mostly African countries,” she said.
She worked in Oman from 1991 until she retired in 2007 as head of radiography training. She was responsible for the basic radiography training, continuation and further education.
July/August 1998 saw her undertake a big trip, incorporating Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, England, and Ireland.
“I travelled with an English female friend, Alexandria, known as Sandy, who also worked in Oman. She was an oboist in His Majesty, the Sultan of Oman’s orchestra training school.
“We both belonged to the historical society in Oman. The head of the historical society was a British army officer who organised many safaris on weekends, so we were well used to sleeping in tents and in the open.
“I guess we both were used to exploring and as Sandy was retiring back to England and taking her almost new four wheel drive with her, we decided to drive it home, well through countries that allowed females to drive.
“I guess the high point for me was climbing Mount Sinai. The low point was when we camped in France and were burgled.
“I cannot say that we had any frightening experiences. We were both seasoned travellers and knew to avoid the pitfalls,” Mona said.
What was her favourite place?
“It’s difficult to say. However, I really liked Jordan and Egypt, mostly because of the people we met. It’s also difficult to choose a least favourite place as they all have their pros and cons.”
Mona has kept up travelling since she retired in 2008. She has toured Poland, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Fatima, Amsterdam, Snowdonia, Wales, Fuerteventura, Medjugorje, Lake Garda, Oberammergau, Prague, Milan, Berlin, Oman, Malta, Dubrovnik, Holland, Slovenia, Belgium and England.
“I had planned to return to Oman for a holiday but Covid decided otherwise.
“I visited friends in Belgium, England and Scotland last year,” said Mona.
She has also been in the US, China and Vietnam and to lots of European cities since she retired.
Mona definitely caught the travel bug. “Even after I retired back to Mountmellick, I got itchy feet to travel again but made myself put down roots. I would definitely encourage others to travel and broaden their horizons.”
