Joan Burton, ex-leader of the Labour Party and former deputy prime minister, fondly recalls her childhood fascination with the sea during an episode of RTÉ’s television programme, Keys To My Life. Despite her love for the coastline remaining a mystery to her, these memories hold a tinge of melancholy. Born in 1949 to a single mother, Burton was rejected by the Irish State – her guardianship was handed off to the Sisters of Charity. Her days were spent in their austere mother and baby home in Temple Hill in Blackrock, which lamentably overlooked Dublin Bay.
In modern times, Temple Hill is a swanky apartment complex, presenting a vivid contrast to the conditions of Burton’s infancy in the early 1950s. Her deep sense of unease is palpable as she steps into the refurbished building with the host, Brendan Courtney.
“There’s no doubt”, she admits, “that it has left a mark on me”. Nevertheless, she urges against letting singular experiences shape one’s life. According to her, it sheds light on how repressed and gated the community in Ireland used to be.
Burton was brought up by her adoptive parents in an area now known as the hip Stoneybatter. Their home was minuscule – in today’s context, too small to even swing a hipster in. Growing up amidst poverty, she became attuned to social justice issues, propelling her to run for the 1989 elections. By this time, she had moved to the Navan Road area in Dublin, and later, she went on to create history as the first female Labour leader.
Courtney, the amicable host of Keys To Your Life, occasionally dominates this episode of the series, where celebrities revisit locales in their lives of specific import. In his narration, he brings up Burton’s “divisive politics”, speculating that they’ve “marred her political reputation” – likely a nod to her role in the Fine Gael-Labour coalition in the aftermath of the 2008 financial meltdown.
The argument is valid, however, was there really a need to introduce politics into the situation initially? Additionally, he insists that she endure a comedic sketch by Mario Rosenstock, where the stand-up comedian humorously mimics Burton’s rendition of Miley Cyrus’ Wrecking Ball. The motive seems no more than simply teasing Burton; this appears to be nothing short of inconsiderate behaviour.
Remarkably, Burton appears unperturbed, stating about Rosenstock that she may have missed it due to the unfortunate timing and minimal audience.
Rather than focusing on her initial years at Temple Hill, Burton is insistent that her advancement into liberal politics was largely influenced by the values instilled in her by her adoptive parents.
“My upbringing was largely surrounded by tenements,” she reminisces, the heavy rainfall often causing disastrous collapses. “Inevitably, a couple of buildings would succumb — we were aware of the hardships faced by those less fortunate.”
Burton was the pioneer in her family to attend university, facilitated by a scholarship. Following graduation, she embarked on a work-vacation in the United States. It was here that she received the devastating news of her mother’s passing. Although her mother had been ill, her demise at the age of 55 came as an unexpected blow.
Burton poignantly remembers her mother, “I have faith that her essence is still with us,” she expresses, sometimes sensing her mother’s presence in spirit.
Keys To My Life offers a mix of light-hearted entertainment, well delivered by RTÉ. The host Courtney, barring the occasional re-runs of old Mario Rosenstock performances, brings a friendly disposition to the show. The concept of specific locations serving as links to certain stages and people in our lives surely resonates with numerous viewers.
Burton’s recollections are particularly poignant. Regardless of your perspective on her political viewpoints, she undoubtedly suffered under the oppressive climate in Ireland. Her narrative parallels the story of many women and their offspring from her generation – a tale that merits endless retelling.