Born Deirdre Shankey in Dublin in 1937, at age 10 she won a National Newspaper Art Competition.

She was educated at Kilkenny College - Kilkenny, Rochelle School - Cork , Alexandra College - Dublin ,  and then studied Architecture in Dublin .

In 1994 she won the ‘Best Pastel’ and ‘Best Newcomer’ at the Wildlife Art Society Annual Exhibition, and the following year was runner-up in their Miniature Competition.

She was awarded Highly Commended Certificates in PAWS 1996 and 1998 and was a finalist in 1999, 2000 and 2002.