The Rose of MONTROSE
RTÉ presenter Nuala Carey on her busy career, letting go of toxic friendships, and why Derek Mooney is the only man for her!
TV star Nuala Carey is very proud of the life she has created for herself. Never without a smile on her face, Nuala – RTÉ’s weather and Lotto presenter – admits the secret to her success in front of the camera is always saying yes to the opportunities she is given. However, recently she has begun to reevaluate things and realises she needs to be more careful when it comes to her work-life balance, telling RSVP: “You get yourself on a conveyor belt and you don’t even realise you are doing it.” Here, we chat to Nuala about her recent road trip with Derek Mooney for the second series of their show, The Summer Show. She also reveals why she is excited about joining this year’s Rose of Tralee, and how she has learned to let go of toxic friendships.
Nuala, we are excited about your Rose of Tralee news. Are you going to be the new host with Dáithí Ó Sé?
I am not the next host of the Rose of Tralee with Dáithí, I can tell you that categorically but I am involved in this year’s contest. I don’t know anything about a second presenter, whether it is talk or actually happening, I haven’t a clue, and it certainly isn’t me.
How are you involved?
I am a judge in this year’s Rose of Tralee. I am an RTÉ judge.
So you are replacing Mary Kennedy?
It used to be Mary, yes, but this year it is me. Mary doesn’t work for RTÉ anymore so that is where the switch came in.
That is a lovely gig to get!
Oh it is, I was delighted to be asked. I would have done some Rose selections for Dublin over the years, so I am familiar with the process and how it works. I have been down to the Dome in Tralee, I was invited a few years ago, and I have always watched it. I am looking forward to the challenge, I know it won’t be easy to pick a winner but there is a panel of us. I am looking forward to the fun of Tralee and the fun of the festival, but I am also hoping the winner will naturally emerge.
You would have been a good Rose of Tralee!
It is funny, people say that to me. I probably would. I remember being on the radio years ago on AA Roadwatch and there was busy traffic in Tralee and as I was reading it out they said I was the “Rose of Montrose” and I was delighted. My dad would have loved to see me working on the Rose of Tralee. He always watched it and he would write down the names of the four or five he felt should win. If one of his selections won, he would always say, “I knew she stole the show.”
Can you tell us about The Summer Show with Derek Mooney?
Last year we focused on walking trails and pilgrim paths but this year the focus is on places and festivals around Ireland. So our first show will focus on Galway, giving the viewers a flavour of the area. Galway covers the races, best dressed ladies’ competition; another programme covers the Aran Islands, and we have a show that is Dublinbased, and another in Kilkenny. Derek and I had never worked together on TV before but we always got on well. We have a brother/sister type relationship, we can chat about anything and everything. Derek had the job before me and they were looking for someone to join him. When I auditioned we just fell into an easy and comfortable pattern. It ticked every box for me.
Did you mind having to audition for the part?
No, I didn’t. You have to be the right fit for a show. To be asked to audition meant they already felt I was a good candidate for it. With a screen test you get a feel for what something is about and how presenters will work together so it works both ways.
You have a good rapport with Derek, that is so important.
You have to get on. Derek has a great sense of humour and he always makes me laugh. I am in safe hands with Derek.
Would you socialise in the evenings after filming?
We would have our dinner together with the crew most evenings when we got back to the hotel, that is where you catch up and chat as the days are so busy. That is when you get to know each other. On the last day we were filming last year, it was at Gougane Barra [in Co. Cork] and I had tears in my eyes as I was sorry it was over.
You have a successful career, what do you attribute that to?
There is some luck to it. Weather is 365 days of the year, it is not a seasonal programme so there is a slight advantage in keeping the job [laughs]. I do work hard and if people ask me to fill in, I always do, I never say no, I will always make it work. Being able to say “yes” and being flexible can be an advantage.
Do you worry about the uncertainty of the industry, is that why you always say yes?
I don’t worry. With The Summer Show, I got a phone call out of the blue one day from a producer asking if I’d be interested in screen testing. You can’t
plan everything. It was the same with the Lotto, I started by filling in for one draw and then the next and so on.
Do you have a work-life balance or do you give everything to your job?
I admit I work a lot but I do enjoy it. Lately, I have started to look at my week ahead and if I see there is a lot on and some of the stuff isn’t vital, I just say no. I only started that in the last six months to a year. I have started not to accept every invitation. I think you can put yourself under too much pressure, it’s no-one’s fault but my own. I have looked back on days where I am at work and at events, you get yourself on a conveyor belt and you don’t even realise you are doing it. My circumstances are different, if I had young children then things would be different, but because I don’t, I can afford to say yes to more people. I realise now you have to be careful.
Have you any regrets in life?
Sometimes I can be a bit slow to move on, in my personal life. That holds me back a little bit but I think that is just my personality. Holding on to toxic friendships for example, I give people chances whereas other people would cut it off straight away. I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt but eventually you have to cut your losses.
You see the good in people which isn’t a bad thing?
A toxic friendship or just a friendship in general, it doesn’t have to be toxic, might come to an end, circumstances change and you have nothing in common anymore. I was slower to let go of those but now I am better at that as I get older.
Do you have any special someone in your life right now?
Derek Mooney is the only man in my life at the moment!
Are you on dating apps?
No, they wouldn’t be for me, I wouldn’t be comfortable with them. I have never tried and I don’t intend to.
You have a very close relationship with your mum Ann, does she love seeing your new TV projects?
Yes, she does! She is in great form. She loves that I am doing this show, she gets very excited and watches all the repeats.
Being in the public eye, do you ever get abuse or unnecessary comments on the streets?
I never do because everything I present is non-controversial when you think about it. Everyone is so nice. People chat to me about the weather or ask me for the Lotto numbers. A lovely lady wrote to me during The Summer Show last year; she had been unwell and she felt she got to see lovely places she couldn’t go to at that time but she was hoping when she got better she could visit them. I love reading those. I am lucky I have never gotten negativity.
I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt but eventually you have to cut your losses