‘A personal regret is that my father who designed our house never got to see it'

Irish Times

4 days ago

How agreeable are you?
I get along with most people; it's part of my nature. I also have a big family – we have a clatter of kids, six, so life and things get thrown at you. It's easier to navigate all of that if you're more agreeable.
What is your middle name and what do you think of it?
I have two middle names, Elizabeth Ann. I'm named after my mom, and I've always liked that connection. Everyone calls me Caoimhe, but when I lived in
Italy
, if somebody found my name difficult to pronounce or if I was making a reservation for, say, a restaurant, I gave my name as Elisabetta because it was easier.
Where is your favourite place in Ireland?
We live in Castlebellingham,
Co Louth
, and we swim at Salterstown pier all year round. It's close enough to Annagassan, and it's probably the best-kept secret in this part of the country. When the tide is in, you can walk on the pier, and you're directly in the water. It's quite special.
Describe yourself in three words.
Empathetic, nurturing, resilient.
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When did you last get angry?
I wouldn't get very angry often. Things irritate me, but it's usually tripping over someone's shoes. I think jumping into the sea very frequently helps with that, and yoga on the beach. I try to ensure that I have plenty of calm in my life because there's always stuff going on. Our house is rarely calm.
What have you lost that you would like to have back?
When I was in my 20s, I travelled to Bologna, Rome, New York, and Paris, all fashion-related visits. I loved being able to jump on a train and go to Venice or Florence, and when I was in the US, to go from New York to visit one of my sisters in Connecticut. I miss that freedom, but it was at a different stage of my life and of its time. I love what I have now.
What's your strongest childhood memory?
When we were children, we used to go to
France
every year. I was about 10 when we went to Monet's Gardens in Giverny, and I've always remembered that. We've got beautiful photos of us standing on the Japanese bridge. We went back two years ago, my husband and my children, so I suppose I'm trying to give my children what I got, bringing it full circle.
Where do you come in your family's birth order and has this defined you?
I'm number four out of six, two older sisters, an older brother and two younger brothers. As there was only a year between my sisters, they were always together. The boys were collectively grouped, and while I did lots of stuff with them, I probably became very independent. I did a lot of travelling on my own, but I don't view it as a negative thing – it's good to be comfortable in your own company.
What do you expect to happen when you die?
I'd probably get my ashes spread somewhere very special – our orchard, where we have planted 2,000 trees, and then maybe Salterstown pier. That would be lovely. And maybe I'll get my children, hopefully, to plant a tree for me.
When were you happiest?
You have to put it into context, don't you? I was really happy when I was young, single and working in the fashion industry, but I have to say, I'm content now and have a lot to be very thankful for.
Which actor would play you in a biopic about your life?
This is a tricky one. She doesn't look anything like me at all, but it's
Jessie Buckley
. She has a beautiful voice, and I like that she's Irish as well. I'd be very drawn to that.
What's your biggest career/personal regret?
A personal regret is that my father, who was an architect and who designed our house, never got to see it. When he was in hospital, he got
Covid
. He had come back from the brink and was on the cusp of coming home, but his health took a nosedive. So he designed our house, but we never really understood all the little design things he did until it was built. Many people have said to me that he's in the house all the time, and I have to say, yeah, that's true.
Have you any psychological quirks?
One thing I can't live without is good
coffee
. Earlier this year, when I was over in Prague with my boys for a rugby trip, I brought my ground coffee and a small pour-over. You know how some people bring tea bags with them when they go on holiday? Well, for me, it's coffee. I have to have my coffee in the morning – life is too short not to.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea