Malachy Taplin
Where do you live? Portland, Maine.
Current company and position? The Maine Irish Heritage Center in Portland, Maine. Executive Assistant.
First job and what it taught me? I worked as a landscaper in southern Maine during the summer months of high school. It was a tough job – heavy equipment, early mornings, hot days. It taught me the value of staying hydrated and getting a good night’s rest, but more importantly I learned just how rewarding it feels to put your full effort into a project - be it trimming hedges or mowing a dozen acre property.
How do you embrace your Irish heritage? After receiving an MA in Global Governance from Luiss School of Government and l'Institut Européen, I visited my family in Ireland for a month. When I came back to the US, I found myself missing the culture, the music, and the people deeply. It was then that I found the Maine Irish Heritage Center - a small, beautiful, deeply historic cultural center in Portland, Maine. They had a job opening and I jumped to get involved. I’ve been working hard to ensure that every artist, every diplomat, and every volunteer that walks through our doors gets a familiar Irish welcome. Outside of work, I've joined the Young Irish Leaders association with the Charitable Irish Society, I'm trying to learn a number of Irish folk songs, and I'm working hard to expand youth engagement, build community, and foster young Irish professionals across the Eastern seacoast.
Something people would be surprised to know about me... I have a deep love for woodworking! I’ve found a number of beautiful pieces of furniture in dumpsters or on the side of the road and fully refinished them.
Biography: Malachy Taplin is from South Berwick, Maine. He holds a BA in Political Science from Clark University and an MA in Global Economic Governance and Public Affairs from Luiss School of Government and l’Institut Européen. He has worked with food banks, political campaigns, and research organizations. As the executive assistant for the Maine Irish Heritage Center, Malachy manages donor & member relations, volunteer coordination, and event coordination while uplifting Irish culture and arts in Portland, Maine. When he isn't working, he's visiting his dozens of cousins in Ireland, exploring local performing arts venues, or experimenting with new recipes at home.
