Editor’s note
October is menopause month and we are delighted to have endocrinologist and women’s champion Dr Mary Ryan on board as health editor, as well as the presenter of a series of podcasts on rsvplive.ie. The hormone expert has been on a mission to educate the nation, men and women, about menopause since way back when it was still a taboo topic. The average age for menopause in Ireland is 51, although it can be a lot earlier for some women, like the two thirtysomething women who tell us of their early menopause experiences in this issue. Mary Kennedy also shares her story since retiring from Nationwide on RTÉ. Some people think that retirement should come with a health warning; after working for more than 40 years it can be a shock to the system to suddenly stop. Graham Norton recently said his experience of lockdown has put him off the idea of retiring anytime soon. However, while Mary Kennedy is no longer on our screens three nights a week, she is still working, but in a way that gives her more time to spend with her family. The TV presenter, whose new book was just published, believes as a nation we need to show more respect for the elderly who, she says, are often afraid they will lose their standing when they retire. Could it be that we identify too much with what we do for a living instead of who we are as a person? Another woman looking for change is Emer O’Neill, the new face on RTÉ’s Today, who sets out her hopes for greater diversity and integration in this country. We’re also delighted to be joined by the doyenne of Irish food, chef, author, broadcaster and organic food campaigner Darina Allen along with her delicious winter-warming recipes.