The Loves of my LIFE

Louise McSharry tells us what makes her tick

The person

It has to be Sam, my son, really. No one has challenged me or taught me so much, and it’s been less than two years.

The memory

An evening spent on a boat in Ibiza with a load of my best pals, watching the sun set. I don’t know if I’ve ever laughed as much or pinched myself so hard. I’ll never forget it.

The moment of the day

The moment I take my bra off.

The song

I listen to about 150 songs a week for my job in 2fm, so this changes all the time, but at the moment, it’s Missing U by Robyn.

The movie

The Princess Bride. It was my first favourite film, and I still love it.

The book

I really can’t choose a favourite, but I’m currently reading Skin Deep by Liz Nugent and loving it, having just finished and loved Promising Young Women by Caroline O’Donoghue, and The Importance of Being Aisling by Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen, and loving that, too!

The hero

Dolly Parton. She is unapologetically, authentically herself, and has never let anyone hold her back from what she wanted to do. At a time when women were very much subservient to men in media and music, she struck out on her own, and she has done an unbelievable amount of charitable work in her lifetime.

The outfit

The red and black Helen Steele dress Helen, the designer, made me to wear at the the British Embassy’s garden party for Harry and Meghan on their recent visit. Helen makes the most beautiful patterns and garments, and I wish I could wear this dress every day of my life.

The friend

I absolutely cannot choose just one! My friend Sarah is the rock of sense everyone needs in their life; my friend Michelle sees me so clearly, it’s frightening — I can hide nothing from her; my friend Keith has the truest, kindest heart… I could go on?

The accessory

My engagement ring. My husband, Gordon [Spierin], gambled on choosing one himself, and I absolutely love it. It never leaves my finger.

The pet hate

I can’t stand it when people write off things other people enjoy as ‘rubbish’. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s trash, and even if it is trash, let me enjoy it! Different strokes for different folks!

The gadget

My phone. I am totally and completely addicted, although I recently deleted the Twitter app in an attempt to cut back on time spent on it at home.

The drink

Sparkling water. I’m totally addicted, and would happily never drink still water ever again. In terms of alcohol, a nice crisp, dry white wine will never be turned away.

The beauty product

Mascara! My blonde eyelashes are invisible without it, so it’s an essential. My favourite is Yves Saint Laurent Faux Cils, but I also rate Maybelline’s Lash Sensational for when I’m feeling a little more conscious of budget — which is most of the time.

The holiday

The year before my husband and I got married was chaotic for lots of different reasons, so I booked us a few days in Ibiza the month before the wedding. It was the perfect combination of rest and play and reminiscing — we first met in Ibiza — before returning to the madness at home.

The hotel

On our honeymoon, we stayed at Chong Fah Resort in Khao Lak in Thailand. It’s a lovely, quiet boutique hotel of only 30 rooms, with really friendly staff and beautiful Thai food. It’s reasonably priced, but feels luxurious, and I dream of it on a regular basis.

The piece of advice

In life, I tend to think most often of ‘this, too, shall pass’, but in my career, I think it’s important to remember that, for the most part, things won’t happen unless you make them happen. I spent a good while waiting for opportunities to come to me, before realising that I had to put myself forward and ask for them.

The bar

I love Peter’s Pub in Dublin for a couple of drinks. It’s a great place to have a catch-up chat in a corner, or to chat to strangers at the bar. It does good pints and toasties, too.

The part of my body

My brain. It’s the reason I am who I am and I do what I do.

The taste

Garlic. Put it everything, and then add more.

“No one has challenged me or taught me so much as my son, Sam, and it’s been less than two years” “In my career I think it’s important to remember that, for the most part, things won’t happen unless you make them happen”