The unpredictability of working as a creative is something Amy Huberman finds scary and exhilarating at the same time.

The ability to relinquish control and to be open to new opportunities has served the Dublin-born actor, writer and entrepreneur well over the past 25 years.

There was no grand plan when she landed her first role in the RTÉ GAA drama series On Home Ground in 2001.

It was more a case of, ‘Oh god, am I really doing this now?’ she recalls. But that willingness to adapt has allowed her to grow braver in her choices, whether that’s a new TV or film role or moving into the wine-making business.

‘I feel like I’ve stumbled upon most of my career,’ explains Amy. ‘Once you’re in, you’re in, and obviously it takes hard work and commitment.

‘In my line of work, you’re in control of your output and what you put into it when you know you’re doing something, but so much of it, you’re not in control of, so you have to have an adaptability, I guess, with what’s coming.

‘In a way, that can be scary but, in another way, it makes you go, okay, let’s try it, because it’s always constantly rolling. That’s the thing in the creative fields, you’re grateful for getting to do different things, so I think it makes me braver to say yes, then a lot you just figure out as you go.’

Timing is a crucial factor in her career choices. If an opportunity comes along at the right time and aligns with her busy schedule, she’ll give it a go, even if it’s a ‘little bit of a shot in the dark or a leap into the unknown’.

But more importantly, it must bring her ‘joy’ – a word which crops up several times in conversation with her.

It even found its way into the title of her comedy series Finding Joy, which she penned and starred in herself, and which ran for two series on RTÉ One in 2018 and 2020.

‘I think for me, first and foremost, it has to be for the joy of the thing,’ she says.

‘I do use the word “joy” a lot, but let’s face it, it’s what so many people strive for in our lives – happiness, peace, fulfilment and all those things, but joy is that special nugget, that extra special bit of life. So, when you can grab pockets of it, it’s important to really enjoy moments of that, because they can be fleeting and not guaranteed.

‘That’s just the way life works, with its ups and downs.’

There are many things that bring Amy joy – spending time with rugby legend husband Brian O’Driscoll and their three children, Sadie, 13, Billy, 11, and five-year-old Ted, hanging out with family and friends, collaborating with fellow creatives and indulging her passion for wine, both as the founder and face of Ah Wines, and as a consumer.

The company launched last year with its Ah Sauvignon Blanc and Ah Cava Brut Rosé wines, both produced in Requena, about 40 minutes away from Valencia in Spain.

Just recently Ah Wines, which partners with Ireland’s leading independent wine distributor, Barry & Fitzwilliam, launched its latest addition to the range, Ah Wine Rosé, this time working with Domaines Auriol, a familyowned winemaker and exporter situated in the Occitanie region of southern France.

Amy is not long back from a visit to the vineyard and a stay at Chateau Ciceron, owned by the founder of Domaines Auriol, Claude Vialade.

While there, she got to view the wine-making process, sample the wares during an exclusive wine-pairing evening and hear about the chateau, its estate and owners, who have a long history of protecting resistance fighters during World War II.

It’s these personal touches which bring home to Amy the importance of the vineyards to their owners and the pride which they have for their wines. But there’s another reason why’s she so invested in her brand – she’s a self-professed fan of bubbles.

‘For me, it started with Cava,’ she says. ‘I love bubbles, but I’m not a Prosecco girl and Champagne is great, but too expensive. Like all things, coming into it, I had a lot to learn but there’s no point in doing something if you’re not going to be involved in it and that means going to visit these places and seeing how they work.

‘It’s been a massive learning process for me. But am I an expert now? Not in the slightest! When we first discussed it, we wanted it to be something that’s accessible.

‘With people who know a lot about wines, there can sometimes be an exclusivity about it. I’m never going to know enough but I know what I like and actually, that’s what it really comes down to.’

Her acting and writing bring her much joy as well, even if she ‘stumbled’ into the work rather than following a five-year plan.

She credits laughter for getting her through disappointments, citing her participation in LOL: Last One Laughing Ireland, as an example of leaping into the unknown and enjoying every moment.

‘I’m not a stand-up but the reason I did it was that it’s so silly, but silly in a good way,’ she says. ‘Now, that was pure joy mixed with absolute terror. We all had jobs to do – to make each other laugh and to not laugh ourselves, that’s the kind of thing you can lean into.

‘So much of life is ridiculous; we can’t laugh at all of it. But the reason I said yes was because when I watched the show, I got what it was about, and it wasn’t serious. It was fun and laughter.’

While being happy may be her default setting, she admits that there are times she feels the weight of the world upon her and worries about things beyond her control.

But as quickly as these emotions arise, she manages to talk herself round and look at things more positively. She practises gratitude, but not in a therapeutic, mindfulness way. If something is threatening to bring her down, she finds it easy enough to get herself back to a ‘place of positive outlook or positive gratitude’.

‘I know the kind of thing that could make me sink,’ she says. ‘It’s not possible to not feel those emotions sometimes or else you’re not really processing life, because some of it is tricky.

‘But if something disappointing happens, I’ll give myself a day or two, then, well, you have to get back on the horse. I think, what will it serve if I don’t? People manage that in different ways.

‘I think I’ve probably always been like that, but it doesn’t mean I don’t feel the pain of stuff. I probably just try and look to the best outcome and hope for that.’

Ahead of series four of cosy crime drama Harry Wild, which premiered last year, Amy, who played Orla Wild for the first three series, left the show. There was no official reason given for her departure at the time and the role was recast, with Aoife Mulholland stepping in to play Orla for the upcoming series.

Fans were left wondering why Amy had exited the show, but she is quick to explain it was all down to timing.

Work commitments meant she had to step away, but she describes her time on Harry Wild as a ‘really fun job’ and is full of praise for its cast and crew, including Hollywood actor Jane Seymour, who plays the titular character.

Growing up in Cabinteely, south Dublin, the middle of three children, Amy never imagined that she would get to work alongside people like Jane or Paul one day or that she would become a household name in Ireland.

Amateur dramatics was something she enjoyed as a schoolgirl, and she and her brothers Mark and Paul attended drama classes. She watched episodes of Neighbours on repeat, hoping to emulate Kylie Minogue’s success on the soap.

When Mark, a well-known actor too, was a student at Trinity College, he joined the university’s drama society Players, eventually bagging himself an agent. On Mark’s recommendation, the agent went to watch Amy in a play and was impressed with what he saw.

This led to her audition for On Home Ground and her debut TV role. From there she progressed to RTÉ One medical drama series The Clinic, playing Daisy O’Callaghan for seven series, for which she was nominated for an IFTA for Best Supporting Actress.

Since then, she has won several Lead Actress gongs for roles in the film Rewind and legal drama Striking Out.

At this year’s star-studded IFTA awards, Amy was struck by the standard of homegrown talent in the room – Cillian Murphy, Jessie Buckley, Alison Oliver and Anthony Boyle among the illustrious guests.

It filled her with immense pride to see so many globally recognised Irish actors in the same room and she felt that this year, more than ever, the awards ceremony was a celebration of ‘remarkable’ Irish talent.

‘I am immensely proud of the talent from this island,’ says Amy. ‘There is nothing but pride within our industry.

‘I’m not going to say that we are having a moment, because I don’t want it to be a moment. I hope this continues to be a showcase for the talent that comes out of here. It’s such an exciting time to be an Irish actor, director or writer.’

She credits the Irish ability to tell a good tale as a significant factor in the ongoing success of local talent, but also a vulnerability and willingness to share stories, the ‘good, the bad and the ugly.’

‘There’s definitely something in the water,’ she says. ‘And also, there’s a visibility now. It’s giving a platform to others to join in. It’s like “come on in” and that visibility is always a good thing.’

Next up for Amy is a new role, but whether it’s for TV or a movie, she’s not able to say just yet. She also has a writing project coming up but can’t reveal its details either.

‘I know, it’s so annoying to have to tell you that,’ she says apologetically. Maybe in a few weeks, I’ll be able to say more.’

For now, Amy is looking forward to a well-deserved family holiday to Greece and spending quality time with her husband and children.

Ah Rose is now available nationwide at Tesco, Dunnes Stores and Avoca stores, priced €15, with promotional pricing currently available at €12 in Dunnes Stores and €13 in Tesco.

For more, visit ah-wines.com.