Are you a generally agreeable person?
Mostly. When there’s an opportunity to lend a hand to someone without causing inconvenience to oneself, I see no reason not to.
What’s your middle name and what are your thoughts on it?
It’s Joseph. I’m quite fond of it – it’s neither overly unique nor overly generic, making it quite the ideal middle name.
What’s your favourite spot in Ireland?
There’s a special place in my heart for those moments tucked under a slumbering little one, after they have themselves nodded off mid-snuggle. Their vivacity and cuteness while they’re awake transitions into a quiet, but equally adorable sleep.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Eager to learn, good with numbers, coffee-dependent.
When was the last time you felt anger?
I strive to let go of anger, however, there’s no denying how infuriating the condition of services for the disabled can be, especially those designed for children. There are so many inadequacies in so many areas.
What’s the one thing you’ve lost which you’d like recovered?
My receding hairline.
What’s your most dominant childhood memory?
My childhood was largely centered around sports: Cheering during USA 94, witnessing Meath nab All-Irelands in ’96 and ’99; and celebrating Manchester United’s Treble win from my bedroom in ’99 (a significant 25 years ago on May 27th!). The screech and blare of a dial-up modem is another sound that opened doors to intellectual growth.
Your position in your siblings’ birth order, and how has this influenced you?
I am the eldest, with a brother five-odd years my junior. It was eye-opening when he mentioned that we haven’t lived under the same roof since he was six, due to my time in boarding school and subsequent college education. This served as a lesson that the same situation can yield vastly different experiences for different people, and this has greatly aided me in my professional life.
What do you anticipate will happen after your death?
I suppose people will say, “ah, I remember him,” and the world will continue to spin.
When was the happiest period in your life?
Driving into Kilkenny in a VW camper van with Ciara post our wedding, full of bliss and hope for our future – this happiness later deepened with the birth of our two daughters and our exploration of newfound realms of joy.
Which actor would you choose to play you in a biopic about your life?
Greetings to my fellow countryman from Meath, Pierce Brosnan. I see a striking resemblance, indeed.
Are there any major regrets in your personal or professional life? Well, when I was 16, I was part of the Irish team in a mathematics competition in Tokyo. Try to hold back your laughter. I loved every moment of it, but, I must confess, I didn’t give it my all. I was under the illusions that I’d easily be selected again the following year. Looking back now, I feel a pang of regret for not making the most of the opportunity to represent my country and not putting my best foot forward.
Do you have any peculiar behavioural traits? Well, those red notifications on your iPhone apps, indicating an unread message or alert? They irk me immensely. I must either read or discard the emails, go through the texts and WhatsApp messages. In my opinion, it’s better to be read than red.