MAURA DERRANE
‘Today’ presenter believes she is doing the right thing by continuing to go into work, writes Eoin Murphy
KEEPING THE FLAG FLYING
EVERY morning, TV presenter Maura Derrane leaves her driveway, hits the N25 and makes the 90-minute commute from her Waterford home to the RTE studios in Cork.
Normally the journey affords her time to ponder the burning issues of the day. These days, the drive is somewhat eerie, with the road almost empty as Maura ponders having to leave husband John Deasy and son Cal (five) at home.
But Maura has vowed to keep the show on the road for as long as they are allowed.
“It is very difficult for me, especially when you think of home to be honest,” she says.
“But at the end of the day, we are keeping the flag flying with the show and I feel I am doing better on the Today show than I would at home on my own alone.”
At home, Maura (49) has discovered introducing routine and structure has helped keep Cal on the straight and narrow. She begins by doing homework with her son before heading for work.
“I think we all have to be calm and patient, that is the word,” she says. “We need to do what we are told and this will pass. Patience is the main thing we have to be with each other and with our children.
“We are continuing Cal’s schoolwork every day. He goes to school in Dungarvan, a lovely little school that has 40 kids and his teacher, Mrs Conway, has been amazing.
“She has sent out a home table for us to follow and it has been incredible. Cal really likes learning, thank God, because he is not running or playing sport, naturally, so it is good that he likes doing his homework and he actually looks forward to it.”
Maura and Daithi O Se front one of the few magazine-style live shows being broadcast on Irish television.
“We are still going to work every day and doing what we do and, to be honest, we are overwhelmed with people getting in touch with us,” she says.
Much onus has been put on new activities which can help families power through this difficult time.
“We have our fittest family and our creative family and this is to help people at home, whether that is through arts and crafts, education or happy fitness. Our chefs are on and a lot of what they are cooking are practical dishes you can freeze or cook easily.”
Maura says she is extremely proud of the work they are doing on a daily basis and says she still can’t believe this is their eighth season on air.
“I have been doing afternoon TV for 11 years now”, she says. “I did my own show for two years and then I did The Afternoon Show for a year so that is 11 years on in the afternoon, which is a long time.”