Retired RTE host Mary Kennedy has revealed she was “shaking” and “petrified” ahead of her blind date with boyfriend Tom.
The former Nationwide presenter’s marriage ended in 2005 and four years ago, she was set up on a blind date with Tom.
But Mary – who is fronting a new TG4 documentary Fad Saoil (Long Life) told of her fear before her date, which was set up by their mutual friend, author Debbie Deegan.
READ MORE: Couple left devastated after car smashes through front of their first home
She said: “We went for lunch on a blind date. It took a lot of courage, and I was absolutely petrified.
“That day I drove down from RTE to lunch, I was shaking the whole morning in advance.
“But you have to take a chance, you have to be courageous.
“I would always say to people as they get older to never lose the courage, the energy, that pushes you forward, even if it does terrify you and requires that extra push.”
Four years’ on and the couple are still together
“We are the same age and we both like to hike and to travel and have just come back from a trip to Portugal,” she told the RTE Guide.
Mary retired from RTE in 2019 and she admitted the decision was not her own.
“I wouldn’t have chosen to go, and I didn’t want to go.”
But now she says it is important for her to “embrace the different stages as they come along”.
“I think it is important to hold onto the magic of the various stages, the curiosity of youth, the mating if you can and to live life with all those qualities.
“But some people facing retirement fear falling off a precipice.
“It is important to keep curiosity and a positive attitude and to have good health, also emphasised in this documentary.
“If you don’t have good health, ageing can be so different,” she said.
READ MORE:
Wild Youth to represent Ireland at Eurovision 2023 after Late Late vote
Man left 'raging' after spending €700 on a burger - and he can't get a refund
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
