Are you amenable?
Absolutely. I find real joy when those around me are joyful. Life tends to be less taxing when one is laid back.
What is your middle name and how do you feel about it?
Jennifer is my middle name, which I perceived to be rather sophisticated for a child of the 1980s growing up in the countryside of Ireland. It could have been Bernadette, just as easily.
What’s your most cherished location in Ireland?
I have a passionate fondness for the west coast. My children playfully mock my enthusiasm at the sight of turf being harvested. But when I see turf, it signifies that I am on vacation. We spent a delightful long weekend in Achill recently, which was blissful. Upon winning the Euromillions, I intend to purchase a humble abode there or in Connemara to spend my leisure admiring the endless sea.
Can you characterise yourself in three words?
Conciliatory. Turf-enthusiast.
When did anger last overpower you?
It exasperates me when individuals park or drive their vehicles blocking pedestrian paths. This is a common nuisance in my neighbourhood in Dublin, likely numerous instances today alone.
What is something you’ve lost that you wish to regain?
The liberty to sleep in on weekends. I am inevitably roused at sunrise, which then keeps me awake for the rest of the day. It’s most disheartening.
What is a vivid memory from your childhood?
I distinctly remember my grandmother, my mother and my aunts gathered around the kitchen table, buried in a haze of smoke, bellowing with laughter. To eavesdrop on their discussions, I would sneak into a cabinet in the kitchen. I believe I was roughly four years old.
Where do you rank in your family’s line of birth and has it influenced who you are?
Being an only child, many assume I must have been pampered, but I beg to differ. I always longed for a sibling. As a result, I value my friendships greatly.
What are your beliefs on what transpires when you pass away?
I am of the conviction that you acquire another existence. My luck in this phase has been rather beneficial, therefore, I am hoping for nothing but the best.
When did you experience pure happiness?
Two years on from rejoicing my 40th birthday, it was truly a memorable weekend that holds a special place in my heart. Thanks to Liam Gallagher’s music brand, my dear colleague Emer McLysaght and I got the opportunity to watch his performance in Knebworth. In addition, I spent a lovely time in the company of my close friends and relatives during a small gathering at my place. The sequence of surprises was continued by my spouse with a night stay at the Merrion, a moment that overwhelmingly filled me with gratitude.
Considering a hypothetical situation of a film based on my life, I think it would be intriguing to see Drew Barrymore mastering the Carlow accent for the part.
Pondering over the course of my personal and career trajectories, I occasionally regret not having pursued higher education for a degree. In my profession, it is not the need of the hour, but I always desired to possess one, simply due to its commonality among others. If there’s a chance, I gladly would embrace an honorary degree.
Speaking of peculiar mental tendencies, I admit having an unusual phobia. A dread of airships developed in my young days after reading about the Hindenburg catastrophe. Although it does not usually interfere with my daily activities, its sudden reminders often lead to unexpected reactions, making my legs feeble at times.