After departing from Northern Ireland in 1999 to undertake my MBA at the Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School in Dublin, I shifted to London in the year 2000. It was during this year that I found my affection for Marrakesh as I was part of UTV’s day trip group invitees to Morocco for the first time and it was adoration from first sight.
From the period of 2000 to 2005, while I resided in London, my numerous travels to Marrakesh led me to establish a personalised travel and event management enterprise, Boutique Souk. In 2005, I decided to move to Marrakesh indefinitely, intending to acquire skills in French and Arabic during my grown-up gap year, yet I find myself still in Marrakesh even after almost two decades.
Marrakesh is teeming with vibrancy. It’s recognized for its intriguing arts and culture scene, impressive architecture, bustling nightlife and not forgetting, the globally known artisan community and souk shopping experience. In comparison to the uniform shopping experiences around the globe, Marrakesh presents a plethora of exceptional discoveries in terms of fashion and housewares.
The constant sun rays throughout the year contribute to the delightful living quality here. I found a commonality in the Moroccan people and Irish which made my settling in easier. Moroccans, known for their familial inclination, kindness, and warmth have such hospitable natures akin to the Irish. They welcome the Irish and have a special liking for Riverdance and a peculiar connection to our folk tunes. Their recognition of our stand with the Palestinian people during the war in Gaza is noticeable.
My early years in Marrakesh saw me encounter my spouse, of French origin. Initially, our relationship was solely professional, eventually, we ended up tying the knot in 2008. We settled in a tranquil villa situated in Palmeraie, a palm oasis on the outskirts of the city. We have since organised a myriad of gatherings for a diverse client base ranging from private clients to companies. The excitement and innovation that came with this experience, was sadly paused by the pandemic with Morocco’s borders being sealed for a consecutive two years.
Despite the situation, every adversity has its hidden opportunities. The pause gave us the chance to actualise our dream of discovering and establishing a farm-to-table lodging establishment.
When I first encountered my spouse, Fred, he was already operating a classic guesthouse in the design of a Moroccan riad and bringing his Parisian hotel industry expertise to it. Both of us have a predilection for quality food; for me, there’s no comparison to having fresh eggs, vegetables, and salads available in your own kitchen. My lineage traces back to Roscommon, where my family was involved in farming, so this ingrained habit of growing our own produce must be in the blood.
We got our hands on a dilapidated farm with an impressive count of 350 olive trees. With passion, we revitalized the land and developed a farmhouse on it. Just two years post purchase, we initiated our hotel in September and have already played hosts to numerous guests from different corners of the globe.
We have been blessed with heartfelt backing from our kinfolk, including Niall McKenna, the renowned chef and restaurateur from Belfast, and music producer David Holmes. Both have lent their expertise and support to our restaurant and music provisions. Heading our kitchen staff, we have Aniss Meski, an exceptionally talented Moroccan chef. Married to a Canadian-Irish woman, Stacy O’Neill, they have a gorgeous Moroccan son adorned with a full head of ginger locks, much like myself.
To mark our opening, we threw a grand party with a Samhain theme, complete with Celtic poetry and spells. Meditation coach Chris Connors performed a symbolic tree-planting ceremony in Gaelic, and he even offers advice for our wellbeing programme. My sibling, Joe, who is trained in wellness and yoga, often organises retreats from Holywood to Marrakesh. Our farm is constantly bustling with friends and family visiting us, courtesy of the convenient Ryanair direct flights from Dublin. Their visits help in easing any bouts of homesickness, though I do try to return home as often as feasible.
Residing in Marrakesh with Fred, my French husband, we operate the Farasha Farmhouse hotel.