Health, Beauty and Lifestyle with Denise McNamara

Orla Concannon was a latecomer to the world of Instagram. The 48-year-old moved to Connemara from her native Dublin with her Galway-born husband 16 years ago to raise their family of two once the eldest was about to start school.

She started creating content on social media in December 2021 when her friend already on Instagram asked her to share some tips she had seen Orla use at home.

“Up to that point I honestly had no interest in Instagram, I followed a few celebrities but didn’t even know how to use the app properly. I had to get my friend Clo to show me how to create a reel a post and a story. As time went on I found I was enjoying creating these little videos and was getting some positive feedback from followers on them too.”

She now has 8,250 followers on the @practical_and_precious page.

She focuses content towards women over 35 who want tips and tricks for their home, on making life easier and how to turn back the hands of time with makeup.

“I focus on women like myself, who maybe have hooded eye lids and want them to look a bit more open, maybe they have a bit of a double chin like me and want to know how to hide that with makeup.  I’m not a makeup artist but I have done some makeup courses and I know how to make myself look a little better with makeup and that’s what I’m sharing.”

Orla also loves a good household hack to make life easier. Some of the hacks you will find on her page are how to hang long dresses in a small space, how to clean your washing machine with a half a lemon, toothpaste and baking soda, how to dry trainers in the dryer and how to hide your chocolate stash from the kids.

“My favourite time of year and when I really come into my own is the Christmas Season. Some people think I’m mad but I honestly live for this time of year. My house is decorated from mid- November and the present buying happens all year.

Pictured: Orla Concannon