Alumni Spotlights
Alumni Spotlight: Saoirse McCabe
Cork native Saoirse McCabe (BA 2015; MSc 2016) represents luxury brands on the global stage from Los Angeles, but her story began at home, where she honed her work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit in the family business. She now works in a rapidly changing industry as the California and Nevada Market Manager for award-winning Martingale Cognac. Saoirse has led Martingale’s strategic rollout and high-profile placements across one of the world’s most competitive spirits markets.
In addition to her professional achievements, Saoirse has previously been involved in community initiatives including LGBTQ+ advocacy, Rotary Club projects, and youth mentorship programmes -causes that she remains deeply passionate about and continues to support today.
Course(s) studied and year(s) of graduation
BA History and Politics (2015)
MSc Management and Marketing (2016)
Why did you choose your course at UCC?
Being born and raised in Cork, UCC was always more than just a university to me, it was a landmark I grew up admiring and aspiring to be part of. I have always loved its stunning architecture and the sense of history and heritage it represents. I also have a very personal connection to the campus: my mom and uncle both studied there, and my parents were married in the Honan Chapel. That connection gave UCC a special meaning in my life from an early age and made the idea of studying there feel both natural and deeply significant. Choosing my course at UCC allowed me to pursue my academic goals within a place I had long admired and felt proud to call part of my own story.
For my BA, I chose to study History and Politics because they were the subjects I was most passionate about in school and the ones I excelled in. I’ve always loved history, and at the time I thought I might pursue a career in academia - becoming a professor and writing was something I really imagined for myself, and it’s still not something I completely rule out for the future. However, as I progressed through my degree, my interests began to broaden. By the later years of my BA, I found myself more and more drawn to the world of business, and I realized I wanted to build a career that could take me into the corporate world and open doors internationally. That’s why I decided to pursue the MSc in Management and Marketing at UCC. It felt like a natural progression, giving me the chance to combine my strong academic background with practical skills and prepare for an international career in business.
How has your course helped you in your current role?
My BA in History and Politics gave me a strong foundation in research, critical thinking, and communication. Learning how to analyze complex material, build arguments, and present ideas clearly has been invaluable in my professional life. In many ways, it taught me how to take big, sometimes abstract ideas and shape them into a story that resonates which is exactly what I do when building relationships with clients or presenting a brand.
My MSc in Management and Marketing then gave me the practical toolkit to step confidently into the corporate world. The mix of theory and hands-on teaching, particularly the case studies and the way lecturers encouraged us to apply concepts in real scenarios, helped me understand how business actually works in practice. That experience gave me a sense of “corporate readiness” and made the transition from academia into professional life feel much smoother. It also broadened my perspective and helped me think more globally, which has been especially useful in building an international career.
Tell us a bit about your career journey - how did you get to where you are today?
My career really began while I was still completing my MSc in Management and Marketing at UCC. One of the highlights of the programme was the opportunity to do a placement, which gave me my first hands-on experience of working in a professional business environment. It was the bridge between my studies and the real world, and it gave me the confidence to take my first steps into the industry.
I was also hugely influenced by my family business growing up. My dad and the work he built played a pivotal role in shaping my understanding of entrepreneurship, hard work, and what it means to build something lasting. That influence gave me both inspiration and a foundation when it came to carving out my own path, and it has continued to shape the way I approach my career.
From there, I found my way into the drinks industry, first in Ireland and eventually in Los Angeles. It’s been a journey that has taken me from a placement during my master’s to representing luxury brands on an international stage. Looking back, the common thread has been that combination of academic grounding, family influence, and the willingness to embrace opportunities - each step has prepared me for the next.
What are some of the challenges and opportunities in your sector at the moment?
2025 has been one of the most challenging years of my career to date. I honestly didn’t think anything would feel more difficult than navigating the COVID years, but the current climate has been extremely tough, especially for hospitality. From the wildfires in California to tariffs, immigration crackdowns, and the wider sense of political instability, the ripple effects are felt everywhere. These issues impact the global economy as a whole, but hospitality is always particularly vulnerable because it depends so much on stability, consumer confidence, and international travel.
For me, those challenges are compounded by working with a startup brand in the luxury space. On one hand, the luxury market can feel more insulated; people will still celebrate, travel, and spend, but at the same time, launching and growing a new brand means you’re more exposed to volatility and constantly navigating uncertainty. It demands a huge amount of creativity and resilience to not only survive but to keep building momentum when the external climate is so unpredictable.
Even with the difficulties the industry is facing, there are always opportunities. One of the most exciting shifts right now is the rise of the non-alcoholic and low-ABV movement. Consumers are becoming more health-conscious and more intentional about their choices, which has opened up a growing category for innovation and creativity. Hospitality is responding with incredible new products, cocktail programmes, and brand collaborations that give people the same sense of luxury and experience without necessarily relying on alcohol.
At the same time, I see huge opportunity in the luxury segment. While it can be vulnerable to wider economic instability, it also has a unique resilience: people still want to celebrate, indulge, and connect, even in uncertain times. For startup brands like ours, that creates space to carve out a niche by offering something that feels aspirational, high-quality, and memorable.
For me, the opportunity lies in that balance: listening to how consumer needs are changing, while continuing to champion craftsmanship and storytelling. The brands that manage to do both will not only survive the challenges of this moment but actually thrive in the long run.
Best memories from your time at UCC?
Some of my favorite memories from my time at UCC are tied to the campus itself. I always loved autumn there - the grounds were especially beautiful with the falling leaves, and there was something peaceful about grabbing a coffee and walking through the Quad or along the tree-lined paths.
I also met some great people during my time at UCC. Looking back, a lot of my favorite moments were simply the conversations I had with classmates and friends, the kind that stayed with me and shaped how I think. It was those connections, as much as the classes themselves, that made the experience memorable.