From Sydney to Ballymoney - Christy McConville’s Journey to Building Wickery Lux

When Christy McConville packed up her life in sunny Melbourne and relocated to Ballymoney in 2022, she brought with her more than just a suitcase full of memories and dreams. 

Alongside her husband Mark, Christy and her trusty sidekick, Jakey the Pomeranian, made the 10,000-mile journey across the world. 

Together, they’ve not only settled into life in Northern Ireland but built a thriving business in Wickery Lux, a luxury candle brand known for its personal touch and distinctive scents.

Christy had left a corporate sales career and a life in Australia behind for love - and a leap into the unknown. Little did she think she would become ​​the founder of Wickery Lux, a Northern Irish luxury candle business.

Meeting Mark and Moving Across the World

“I grew up in Sydney and spent my last five years in Melbourne, which I absolutely adored,” Christy recalls. “Mark [her husband] and I met at work - he was in procurement, and I was a strategic account manager. When I left the corporate world I had planned to travel around Europe, I could never have imagined this would be my life today.”

The path to Northern Ireland wasn’t linear. After meeting Mark, who hails from Ballymoney, their relationship blossomed. “Mark was meant to move back home, he had left his role and was wrapping things up, and he just ended up never going,” Christy says with a laugh. “He stayed in Australia, and we built a life together there. 

Christy and Mark said their vows in a quiet Melbourne park with just two witnesses and their families watching over Zoom, it was a bittersweet moment in their love story. 

Their intimate wedding was meant to be the first of two celebrations, with a larger gathering planned in Northern Ireland at the end of 2020. But the pandemic had other plans.

“COVID turned everything upside down,” Christy shares. “Australia shut its borders so quickly. It was illegal to even leave the city, never mind the country. We thought, ‘Let’s just do something small now and have our big celebration in Northern Ireland later.’ But that second wedding never happened.”

The couple postponed their plans, but in May 2021, tragedy struck. 

“Mark’s mum passed away,” Christy says softly. “The borders were still shut, and Mark couldn’t leave Australia. It was devastating for him not to be able to go home for the funeral. That was when he started saying, ‘I need to be with my family.’”

This heartbreaking loss ultimately set the wheels in motion for their relocation to Northern Ireland. 

The couple made the decision to relocate to Ballymoney in early 2022 in time for the anniversary of Mark’s mum’s passing. For Christy, it meant leaving behind not just her homeland but also the comfortable lifestyle she’d built in Melbourne.

From Corporate Hustle to Candle Maker

Christy’s foray into candle-making began long before the move. “It started as a hobby back in Australia. A friend and I would spend weekends making candles, having a few wines, and just having fun,” she explains. But what began as a creative outlet soon became a full-fledged business.

“When I got to Melbourne, I thought, ‘Maybe I don’t want to go back to the corporate world.’ I had some savings, so I decided to experiment with candles at markets. Within two years, the business grew beyond what I ever imagined.”

Moving to Ballymoney added new layers of complexity - and opportunity. 

“The Northern Irish market is different. People value local businesses, and they love knowing the person behind the product,” Christy says. 

But there was also the challenge of fitting in. 

“Coming from Australia, breaking into social circles here wasn’t easy. It took time to feel part of the community.”

The Heart of Wickerly Lux

Wickery Lux is now a thriving local business, specialising in luxury hand-poured candles and diffusers. 

“We wanted to stand out,” Christy explains. “So instead of traditional white jars, we designed something larger and more distinctive - something that feels truly luxurious. And we spent weeks testing over 300 fragrances to create scents people can’t find anywhere else.”

Christy’s meticulous attention to detail extends to every candle she makes. 

“It’s a science,” she explains. “Each fragrance requires a specific wick size to burn correctly, and the wax has to be poured at the perfect temperature. It took eight months of testing before we could even sell our first candle.”

The Personal Touch

One of the keys to Wickery Lux’s success is its personal approach.

“People buy from people,” Christy says. “When someone orders from us, we remember their name. We’ll deliver locally and even meet for coffee to hand over their order. That connection is so important.”

Christy works closely with Mark, who’s fully involved in the business. “It’s interesting working with your husband,” she admits. “There are days when we bicker, but we’ve always said if we can get to the end of the day and still like each other, we’re doing fine!”

Mark plays a key role in Wickery Lux’s success, particularly when it comes to connecting with local businesses. 

“I’ve found that people in Northern Ireland are more receptive to Mark because of his accent,” Christy admits. “He’s the one who gets us through the door. Once we’re in, it’s a team effort.”

Finding Home

Adjusting to life in Ballymoney hasn’t been without challenges and Christy admits that her first year in Northern Ireland was tough. 

“I’m a social person, and I felt so isolated at first,” she says. “But this year, I decided it was time to put myself out there. I started inviting people for coffee, getting involved in local events, and really making an effort to build a life here. It’s been a game-changer.”

Looking ahead, Christy has big plans for Wickery Lux. “We’ve introduced travel-sized candles, diffusers, and are thinking about room sprays. January will be a quiet month, so we’ll start planning for next Christmas. It’s a year-round process, but it’s worth it.”

For Christy, the journey from Sydney to Ballymoney is a story of resilience, reinvention, and love - both for her husband and her craft. 

“When someone tells us they love our candles, it makes all the late nights worth it,” she says. “This business isn’t just about candles - it’s about creating something that makes people happy.”

As for what the future holds? 

“We’re taking it one step at a time,” Christy says. “I miss the sunshine and my life in Australia, but Ballymoney has given me so much - a family, a business, and a community. I’ll always miss home, but I’ve found a new one here.”

Check out Wickery Lux Candles on Facebook and Instagram and also at: www.wickeryluxcandles.co.uk