AT the onset of the economic downturn, Donegal plumber Kieran McCormack was left without work and few prospects.
For the father-of-six, it meant taking drastic action to get his life back on track.
After building up a heating and plumbing business over 20 years, Mr McCormack decided to literally take the plunge and turned his hobby - diving and underwater videography into a career.
The 53-year-old embarked on a media studies and production degree at Ulster University and is set to graduate next month.
Mr McCormack now runs a successful production company focussing on nature-based documentaries.
“For the first time in my life I am doing something that I love," he said.
"I had been an amateur underwater videographer for many years but had no formal training, having left school and gone straight into a heating and plumbing apprenticeship.
“When the recession impacted on the plumbing and heating business that I had built up over 20 years I decided to go back to college and follow my passion."
It was a long hard slog for Mr McCormack who had to start almost from scratch having to complete his A-Levels and an HND.
He is now in the process of setting up Sleepy Hollow Productions, a Donegal-based media company specialising in wildlife documentaries and short films.
“It is an exciting time to be working in the creative industries, which is one of the fastest growing and increasingly important sectors of the economy. I hope to maximise on this potential and take advantage of the opportunities that exist in both the local and global marketplace," he said.
“I am currently working on a number of projects in the north Atlantic combining my love of nature with my passion for media. This has truly been a life-changing experience and rewarding career choice.”
