Emily O’Callaghan, Cobbler

Emily was working on a photography project about the people of Rathmines when she came across Cleggs, the local shoe repair shop. Intrigued, she asked the owner, William, for an apprenticeship. A master cobbler, from a family of cobblers, he taught her the art of the job. Working with her hands was hugely satisfying for Emily as it meant using an entirely different part of her brain. However during her apprenticeship she discovered she was allergic to traditional shoe glues, and could not continue her trade.

Emily has had to leave cobbling aside. She is now working as freelance filmmaker and community support worker.

Emily aspires to the qualities she sees in her mother; being patient, wise, kind and hard working.

Being a strong woman means being there for others as well as for yourself, supporting other women and not putting them down or seeing them as competition. It means recognising the value of fighting for equality.

Photo: Beta Bajgart