As her co-hosting gig on The Summer Show ends and she takes up judging duties at the Rose of Tralee, Nuala Carey tells Claire O'Mahony about a career in front of the camera and about saying yes in life.
With the fourth and final episode of The Summer Show airing on Sunday, Nuala Carey, who co-hosts this exploration of the wonders of Ireland with Derek Mooney, says she had a brilliant time making the show.
"It’s gone great," she says. "In the final episode we’re based at the National Botanic Gardens and I learn how to sail in Dún Laoghaire. That was exciting because I live next to Dún Laoghaire and I’ve walked the pier about a million times I’m sure, and I’ve run in the area but I’ve never actually sailed there. It was interesting to try something that’s on my doorstep."
Has she ever been handed something on the show that she would have preferred not to do? "Last year I was," she admits.
"I didn’t want to say it straight out and I knew it was a great opportunity and a once-in-a-lifetime, but I went up in a hot air balloon for last year’s series, which really wouldn’t be in my comfort zone. But saying that, I’m really glad I did it. It was absolutely gorgeous. We talk about the 40 shades of green and there really are when you look down."
Since joining RTÉ in 1999, Nuala has become one of the most familiar faces on Irish TV, presenting the weather and the National Lottery, and regularly filling in on the Today show. I ask her about her career highlights, and she says in recent times, The Summer Show is one.
"That has been fabulous because that just came out of the blue. It was during lockdown and I was invited to audition for it," she recalls. Going back a few years, another high point was the 30th anniversary of the Lotto, which she presented, where the then new Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar was on set with her.
"That was a very big deal," she says. "I was also the first non-meteorologist to present the weather on RTÉ One so that was another little highlight. But I suppose like everybody, you just live one day at a time. It’s only that you’ve asked me that I’ve recalled those!"
She’s just added another string to her bow, having been announced as one of the judges of the Rose of Tralee.
"I’m very excited about it because in our house, the Rose of Tralee has always been a big tradition. We have always watched it and I remember years ago, we went off on a day trip during the summer holidays and the big thing was we had to be back to the house for 8pm for the Rose of Tralee," she says.
"I have judged regional rounds of the competition before and I was part of the panel that picked a Dublin Rose a few times; and helped pick someone to represent Carlow. So I kind of know the workings of it but this is the next level, because you’re looking for the international Rose."
The wash out of an Irish summer has been disappointing, she acknowledges, but typically for Nuala, she is optimistic that it might make a recovery. "It’s August so it’s not officially autumn, which starts in September. I’m crossing my fingers and toes that things will pick up," she says. "I can understand that people are a bit down about the weather and it is very serious now for a lot of farmers. But at least we’re not in Europe where the heat is dangerous. We’re better off like this, I think."
Nuala has a generally positive approach to life. "I try to, be but like everybody, you have days when you feel everything is going wrong. But I try to look forward to things. I’ve booked a few nights away with a friend of mine and we’re going to Malaga at the end of September –I haven’t left the country since before Covid. A friend of mine passed away over the summer and I’d never lost a friend before, but I said to myself, life is for living; there are no guarantees. That gives you a bit of a wake-up call. So I think I am going to try and still look for the positives in everything."
An avid walker, Nuala likes to keep her downtime simple. "With some people, their idea of a lovely day out might be to go into the city centre and they might go shopping. I’m the complete opposite. I like being on my own, going for a walk or a run. When you work in television, it’s quite full-on and obviously, you’re getting dressed up with the hair and make-up but if you met me on my day off, I’m much more dressed down: in a way, there probably are two Nuala Careys. But I just like fresh air. I couldn’t join a gym because I find it a bit claustrophobic."
Another thing she can’t do is partake in is the favourite Irish pastime of indulging in Lotto fantasies – as the National Lottery presenter, she is not allowed to buy a ticket. "Terrible, I know, but my Mum or one of my family can and that’s the way to look at it. I’d like to think they wouldn’t forget me and I’d be very annoyed if they did!" she laughs.
