Top Ten Questions with Patsy O’Reilly
This week’s 10 Questions have been answered by local gymnastics teacher and all round fitness guru Patsy O’Reilly
1) What do you remember about the place you grew up?
I grew up in Newmarket and had a great childhood. I have many positive memories. I always remember the excitement when the carnival would come to town.
I could hear the music from my house. We used to take part in the summer festival parade as “cheerleaders”.
We used to put in intense practice with Mary O Connor roughly around two weeks before the festival in the church car park. When it came to the parade it was like All Ireland final day. The nerves were are at an all-time high in case mistakes were made.
2) Which invention are you most amazed by in your lifetime?
Wireless headphones. They’re neat and you don’t get tangled up in the wires.
The only downside is, if you’re out walking and talking to someone on the phone with the air pods.
It looks like you’re talking to yourself!
3) What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in your lifetime?
Don’t give up when you fail. If you put your mind to something with hard work and dedication anything is possible.
4) Who is your hero?
I don’t really have any hero but I’m thankful to people in my life like my parents.
They provided a nice life for me and encouraged me at all times. I would have to mention my mother in particular she is very resilient, calm, gives great advice and always see’s both sides of an argument.
5) What was the last thing you read?
“Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling.”
It was written by two Irish girls. It is a very entertaining read.
6) What was the last tv show you binge-watched?
I’m not really a big television fan.
The last show I binged watched was around two years ago, and it was “The People vs OJ Simpson.”
7) What’s your favourite quote from a book or movie?
“Being brave doesn’t mean you go looking for trouble.”
To me that means you acknowledge your fears and overcome them.
8) If you could go back to anytime in history, where would you go?
I would like to go back to when my grandmother was young and experience what it was like to have no electricity and no cars.
Life was simple and people of that generation appreciate the little things in life more so than my generation.
Even though, I do think we are learning to appreciate the simple things in life during lockdown.
9) What is your favourite place in Newmarket?
It would have to be the Island Wood.
If you’re having a bad day a walk in the wood is great to clear your head.
10) What is your favourite Newmarket childhood memory?
It’s a funny memory rather than a favourite.
Kate Kennelly and I were swinging around the church yard happy out one evening after Mass.
I hit my tooth off Kate’s forehead.
Kate had to get stitches and I had to get a new tooth! Kate and I are scared for life after a Saturday night at Mass.