Christmas with an air of optimism

Julie Feeney is an award winning singer/composer from Athenry. She is currently recording her third album after she ran a crowd-funding campaign on Fundit where 204 people got involved. She smashed her target in the process. In 2012 she performs a 10 show residency in New York and she tours Ireland in June , Next year, she has been commissioned to compose her first opera which she hopes will be performed in 2013 or 2014.

What is your abiding memory of the past year? Touring America with my own ensemble and releasing my album entitled Pages on my own self-funded label.If you were in charge of this country name one thing you would do that would benefit your community?I would ensure that good news stories got the same amount of coverage as the bad news stories, on radio, TV and in print. The psyche of the nation needs to be nursed and if we focus on all of the things that are challenging, we can't progress. There are so many wonderful things happening in the country right now that we don't hear enough about.

Do you have a New Year’s resolution? To work even harder than I did last year and to embrace every blessing that I receive with both hands, even if blessings are small.

Are you optimistic about the future? Yes, I am always optimistic even when situations in life greatly challenge optimism. Obstacles are always easier to overcome through with optimism and I find without a doubt that I am more resourceful, more imaginative and more resilient if I am optimistic. I allow myself temporary fear when challenged, but not for too long. Once I get stuck in, crossing an obstacle always seems easier.If you were to choose a present from Santa Claus what would it be? A little two-seater airplane (it won't happen I know but it's lovely to dream). I had a flying lesson this year and I loved it. I don't drive a car but I definitely want to fly a plane. I know that I will some day.

What would be your nightmare Christmas dinner?To be anywhere other than at home!

Who would be the first person, outside your family, that you would have as a Christmas dinner guest? Billy Connolly, Maeve Higgins, Ed Byrne, Graham Norton, Alan Carr or Tina Fey. I am in awe of good comedians.

And who would be the last? Ebenezer Scrooge before he changed his ways!