Last month, Anne Cassin and Mary Kennedy celebrated their fifth anniversary co-hosting the popular TV show Nationwide. They talk to Donal O'Donoghue about love, loss and championing the state of the nation.
The two spoke about their grueling work schedule and keeping fit:
“I used to run for years, ever since I was a schoolgirl, but the knees are crocked now so I walk,” says Mary.
“It’s a middle-aged thing!” Anne laughs. “It is!” agrees Mary. Anne is a Park Run 5k veteran, having just
clocked up her 93rd race. “I do it mainly for the mental health,” she says.
“When you’re struggling up that hill you’re not thinking about the other troubles in your life.”
Mary was quick to highlight that mental health and loneliness are facts of life that need to be talked about more often:
“I think that the more people talk about loneliness the better, because it’s a fact of life”
“It’s also a stage of life. But it’s almost like if you admit to loneliness it’s seen as a failure and you’re seen as a ‘Billy no-mates’.
"But loneliness exists and it did help me to write about it, especially as the reaction was incredible because people like taboos to be exposed.
"In that way it’s like Nationwide: people get encouragement from knowing that there are other people out there going through the same thing.”
Elsewhere in the RTÉ Guide:
Oliver Callan - Callan’s Kicks returns to the airwaves at a very interesting time in Irish politics. Darragh McManus meets its creator.
Oscars 2017 - So who’ll be taking home the most famous golden gongs in the world this weekend? Michael Doherty marks your card.
Hugh Wallace - The Home of the Year judge welcomes Janice Butler into his Dublin home and chats about the new series.
Home & Interiors - There will also be a Home and Interiors Guide included in this week's issue!
