Grew up in Enniskillen and trained as an art teacher at St. Mary's College, Belfast where she was taught by T.P. Flanagan. She taught in Milan, Italy, Derry and St. Dominic's Belfast from 1971 until 1989 becoming Head of the Art Department in 1974. In 1989 she joined the staff at the Ulster Museum to establish an art education service, becoming Head of Education in 1999.

During this period she continued her studies, gaining a BA (Hons) in the History of European Art from the Courtauld Institute, London University and a Diploma in Advanced Studies in Education from Queen's University, Belfast.

In 1996 she was awarded an Honorary MFA by the University of Ulster and in 1997 she was awarded a PH.D in Art History from Trinity College, Dublin.