Nadine O’Regan is arts and books editor with the Sunday Business Post and presents Songs in the Key of Life on Today FM. Brought up in Co Cork, she moved to Dublin to undertake a masters degree in creative writing from TCD, before becoming a journalist. She has written for The Irish Times, The Observer, Hot Press and Spin magazine (US). She hosted shows on Phantom FM and TXFM and was a reporter on RTE Television’s The Works.
01 When are you happiest?
When I’m doing the simple stuff, really. Drinking a really nice coffee. Reading a great book. Walking home after my radio show on Sunday night when it’s gone well. That moment in a gig when the band play your favourite song. Surfing in warm waters in the Canary Islands. Going for a jog in Bushy Park in Dublin. Dancing with my pals at festivals. A good tuna melt in Busyfeet & Coco Cafe. Hanging out with friends and family
02 Apart from loved ones, what’s your most treasured possession?
My new house. It’s definitely my most expensive possession
03 Your social media platform of choice?
Twitter. I’m on it far too much, but I love it
04 The worst job you’ve ever done?
Working in UCC’s library for three months during college. It was incredibly dull. It made me realise that existing near books isn’t nearly the same as reading or writing them
05 What ambitions do you still have?
To publish a book. My masters degree is in creative writing from TCD, so while I love my work in journalism, I’d like to come back around to writing in long-form
06 Favourite writers?
All the Js: JM Coetzee, Jeffrey Eugenides, JK Rowling, John McGahern. Most recently, I loved Hanya Yanighara’s A Little Life, John Boyne’s The Heart’s Invisible Furies and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
07 A film you’d watch again tonight?
Sing Street by John Carney
08 What do some people think about you that isn’t true?
That I’m a Dub. I’m from Skibbereen in Co. Cork
09 What keeps you awake at night?
My pals dragging me to a good house party. They’re persuasive types
10 Which words do you overuse?
Actually, basically and …em
11 Favourite ad?
The one where the pandas pop out of their hut for a waltz, while their photographer is chomping down a Kit-Kat with his back to them. It might be ancient, but it’s got everything you want in an ad: cute animals, dancing, chocolate and the element of surprise
12 Favourite gadget?
My iPhone
13 A brand experience that disappointed you?
Sky. Suffice to say, I’m now with Virgin Media
14 What living person do you most admire?
In a work context, I take my hat off to Graham Norton, he’s naturally gifted and he always gets the best out of his interviewees
15 Most embarrassing experience?
I once voiced an ad for my old arts show The Kiosk on Phantom FM, where I informed everyone that we would be reviewing the new Leonardo da Vinci exhibition at the Chester Beatty library in Dublin on an upcoming show. Unfortunately, what I actually said – and what went out on air – was that we would be reviewing the new Leonardo DiCaprio exhibition at the Chester Beatty. I was in the station lobby when I heard it and I wanted the ground to swallow me up. Like, let’s all go admire Leo’s pecs
16 Someone or something that strikes you as beautiful?
Outside the Sunday Business Post recently, I saw a homeless man try to hand money back to a passerby who had given him some cash, protesting that she had given him too much. She insisted and then apologised that she had to rush off because she had to collect someone. Her kindness and his reaction were remarkable
17 What would be your fantasy act of heroism?
Hypnotising Donald Trump into believing that all he wants in life is to live on a remote island and herd sheep for the remainder of his days. The people of Sherkin Island could put up with Trump if it meant there was no prospect of nuclear war, right? Small price to pay, lads
18 What would your younger self think of you today?
I’ll borrow the old Fianna Fáil slogan – ‘A lot done, more to do’
19 If you had to rate your life so far, out of 10, what would you score?
I’m not big into self-assessments, but I’ve been very lucky and fortunate in my life so far
20 You’re on Death Row, what’s your last meal?
Mashed potatoes with real butter. Finally, a carb-heavy meal with no regrets
Follow Nadine O’Regan at twitter.com/nadineoregan
