Mary O’Rourke, Fianna Fáil TD, Longford Westmeath
Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?
I don’t get the flus, colds, tummy aches or headaches that some people seem to get, so in general, I’d say I have a healthy lifestyle. I’m definitely more attentive to my health as I get older. I go to my GP every few months to get my blood pressure checked.
How often do you exercise?
I don’t know how I can be as healthy as I am because I don’t exercise as much as I should. My office is a good long walk from where the Oireachtas votes take place, so while I don’t set out to exercise, I get a lot of incidental exercise. When I get time, I love to do the nice grassy walks at Hodson Bay near where I was brought up.
Do you get your five a day?
I get even more than five a day – it’s not a chore for me. I love strawberries and raspberries in the summer. When I’m cooking for myself, I’ll do oven-roasted vegetables or I love a salad.
Do you worry?
I would worry about family or personal matters, but not to distraction. As a young fledgling politician, I worried a lot about constituency matters and my late husband Enda would say, “You won’t get anywhere if you take it all to heart.” I’d still worry a bit about constituency matters.
What do you do to relax?
Thankfully, I’m a good sleeper. I go to bed at about 11pm and I get seven or eight hours. I read a lot as well, mostly autobiographies and political biographies. For my holidays this year, I went to Waterford. I didn’t want to go abroad – I’ve been there and done that – and I think my money should be spent at home. I have six grandchildren and they visit me regularly.
What’s your unhealthiest habit?
Eating late – though I would also say that eating and talking with friends in the evening over a glass of wine or two is a great relaxant.
In conversation with
Joanne Hunt
