Reasons to be cheerful after a devastating year for Ireland
The past 12 months have added up to one of the most difficult years in the history of the country. From the continued recession to the IMF/EU bailout, it seems we've had precious little to cheer about. Yet, as the Christmas lights twinkle in the gloom and a new year stretches ahead, there is cause to be hopeful. The Sunday Tribune hears from well-known people, some of whom have had very hard years, about what gives them comfort and solace, and why they're optimistic about their personal, and our collective, prospects. Jennifer Bray and Ali Bracken report
Mary McEvoy and Mick Lally
Rose Callaly
Miriam O' Callaghan
Bernard Dunne
Bola Shitta-Bey
Brian Lenihan
Chris Donoghue
Conor MacLiam
Michael Fitzpatrick
Sharon Commins
Adele King aka Twink
Marie Collins
'I feel good about standing for election'
Conor MacLiam, health campaigner and husband of the late Susie Long, who died of cancer. He is standing in the forthcoming general election for the United Left Alliance in Carlow-Kilkenny
My wife Susie's late cancer diagnosis highlighted the inadequacies in our health service. She died in 2007. Christmas time is a difficult time but it helps that our family never had a specific tradition; it makes it a bit easier. But we all still miss her so much.
I think Susie would be proud of me for standing as a candidate in the general election. I feel good about it myself. I really enjoy the work we do at the Susie Long Hospice Fund, but I hope to now have a real chance to instigate some change by standing in the election.
Susie herself was campaigning for standards in patient care long before she died. I wouldn't have been able to follow in her footsteps if she hadn't done so much groundwork. I think she would have wanted me to do what I'm trying to do now. I don't have any illusions about how difficult this will be but I am really looking forward to the new year and the election it will bring.
'I appreciate the decency and humour of the Irish'
Sharon Commins, aid worker kidnapped in 2009
2010 was about finding my feet in Dublin again, spending time in the good company of family and friends. I was able to appreciate the innate decency, humanity and good humour of ordinary Irish people – that spirit that endures through what are tough times.
What I'm most grateful for this Christmas is being able to spend time with my family. I've learnt that in life, all that really matters are the people you love and their relationships. And to live the life you love, take it easy and trust that things will work out fine. And they will.
'I'm coping well with motor neurone disease'
Michael Fitzpatrick, Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North, who spoke publicly about being diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year
I was diagnosed with motor neurone disease and I've been dealing with that. I think I'm coping with it well and I am optimistic. I intend to stand in the next general election. When someone tells you you've a terminal illness, it is a great shock. Particularly when you've always been a very healthy and active person. I am happy now that I have a handle on it. There is no treatment for the disease. I haven't been to my GP in six months. It is a muscle-wasting disease. I take a tablet once a day, that's it. I'm just taking it day by day. I hope to be in a position to be speaking about it this time next year.
It's been a difficult year for politicians in particular but I am looking forward to 2011. We have to look to the future in a positive way.
'My chats with Gerry Ryan pulled me through'
Adele King, AKA Twink. Was in the news this year after her former husband's partner took a failed libel case against a newspaper
Personally speaking, I will be glad to see the back of 2010. It has not been the greatest year of my life, mainly due to the horrendous asthma attack I suffered in March. I really did think I had drawn my last breath in that ambulance.
The one thing that pulled me through the aftermath of it all was my two calls a day from my lifelong buddy Gerry Ryan. He called me every morning before the show and every evening we had a really long chat about, well, just about anything really. There are simply no words to describe the shock his death was to me. I still can't believe he's gone. I miss him so very much.
My year never really recovered after those two body blows. I am looking forward to a new start in 2011. May I take this opportunity to wish all your readers a truly wonderful and optimistic 2011.
'Fewer children will be victims of sexual abuse'
Marie Collins, clerical abuse survivor and campaigner
The light has been now been shone on the sexual abuse of children, which is a positive development. There was so much stigma and shame attached to it in the past. That has now changed. I believe fewer children will now be victims of sexual abuse because it is easier for children to disclose their abuse and get help than it once was. If a child speaks up now, they will be listened to and believed. I carried the burden around for a long time before speaking out. I will go to mass on Christmas Day. I'm still a Christian and a believer. But in terms of being a practising Catholic, those days are behind me.
'News of GDP growth is great'
Bill Cullen, businessman
I am just finishing my morning workout and see that I have lost 10 pounds. I have stuck to my exercise plan right through the year and feel vibrantly healthy and bouncing with energy and positivity. Makes me remember the wonderful sunny weekends we had this year when we were lucky enough to grab some walks in the woods by the lakes of Killarney. The wonderful magic of Muckross calms the soul and enables us to focus on solutions in these challenging times. News of the continuing surge in exports and GDP growth is a great indicator of recovery and backed by the IMF supports of last week we should all enjoy a restful Christmas. Remember JFK's words in 1963: "The Irish have the strongest DNA of any nation on this planet." Take those words into your heart and mind and go make good things happen for you in the year ahead.
'I got the three-year all clear from cancer'
Chris Donoghue, Newstalk presenter and cancer survivor
It was a very tough year and one of the lowest yet in terms of the economy when compared to previous years. Irish people now seem to have got themselves into a very humble place where things really seem to have gone back to basics.
This Christmas it doesn't seem to be about how many gifts, or the price of gifts, but the thought behind it. It has been a transformative year for me getting the job on the breakfast show with Ivan Yates; it has grounded me and this year has seen me take on more responsibility. I will look back fondly on 2010.
This Christmas, I am grateful after last week getting the three-year all clear from cancer, which is fantastic, and I am grateful to have some time off now to spend with my family and friends, just catching up.
'In 2011, we will continue to regain the competitiveness we lost in the boom'
Brian Lenihan, Minister for Finance
We have been through a tumultuous year, culminating in the assistance of our EU colleagues and the IMF. Nevertheless, there are substantial positives that we must build on in 2011.
The economy has stabilised and is now on an export-led growth path. GDP and GNP are increasing for the first time since late 2007 and our forecast for economic growth of 1.7% for 2011 is on track. Exports have increased by 13%, their strongest annual increase since 2001.
This increase has occurred in both our goods and services sectors.
In 2011, we will continue to rapidly regain the competitiveness that we lost during the boom years. This will drive further reductions in the live register, which has fallen for the last three consecutive months and is 42,000 lower than it was at its peak in August this year.
We must build on these positives in 2011.
'I hope for justice in the courts for my son's death'
Bola Shitta-Bey, whose 15-year-old son Toyosi was stabbed to death on Good Friday
Some days I am okay, other days I am not. Hopefully we will get justice. I thank God for all the good things in my life, my family. I pray a lot. It helps me. This Christmas will be a bad one for us. I will never forget Toyosi, my wonderful son.
I would like to thank the people of Ireland. They supported us very much after he died. We got so many letters and kind words. It helped us to have support from Irish people. The main thing I hope for in the future is justice in the courts for my son's death.
'I am happy just to be around my family'
Bernard Dunne, retired from professional boxing this year
This year saw a massive change in my life when I retired from boxing. I spent a good few months just adjusting and getting used to not being a boxer anymore. It was difficult at first, not knowing what to do with myself. I would be bringing the kids to school and collecting them and trying to figure out what to do next. Writing the book was a big boost, and I am working on a few other things too so it seems that now, towards the end of the year, I am moving on and into a new direction.
I am happy this Christmas just to be around my family, and, in a time when so many people are having such financial difficulties, to just enjoy being with my kids and seeing them excited at Christmas time. Also, it is true that your health is your wealth and I am grateful for that.
'I am grateful to have all my family here healthy'
Miriam O'Callaghan, broadcaster covering political developments
When I started in my career as a broadcaster, it was covering events in the North and while that was big at the time, I actually can't remember a year as big as 2010 in my life so far. What happened was so catastrophic for so many people in Ireland. This time last year, I would sit down with the Prime Time team and try to figure out what to have on the next edition of the show. This year we had to do specials, extra shows and it was all happening all at once. Because of all of this, I am grateful to have all my family here and healthy, to have got through a year personally without anything really bad happening. One of my sons was quite ill but he is much better now. My kids may say I am boring, but I am happy now just to be with them in Rathmines.
'We were blessed to have the two girls in our lives'
Rose Callaly, mother of murder victim Rachel Callaly, who lost her other daughter Ann to cancer in September
We just marked the three-month anniversary since Ann passed away. I'd swap anything in the world to just have her back with us for five minutes, so I could give her a hug. She was such a strong person. We still can't believe she's gone. To lose one child is very difficult to deal with but to lose two is almost impossible to cope with. The one consolation is that my two girls are together now. We were blessed to have them in our lives.
Myself and Jim have three wonderful sons and two of them are married and have two children each. Our grandchildren keep us going. On Christmas morning, we will have between 30 and 40 family and friends over. Then I'll be cooking Christmas dinner for myself and Jim, my sons, their wives and the grandchildren later. It's a lot of people but I've always liked doing it. It is something to look forward to but this year I'm not looking forward to it as much as I did in the past.
Ann's death is still very raw, but I am very thankful to have my boys and Jim.
'I realise I am very lucky. I have great friends'
Mary McEvoy, lost her dear friend Mick Lally and is continuing to battle depression
Because I have battled depression for so long I have learned this year to be grateful for the small things in life. I've lost some close friends, such as Mick Lally, and after him, 10 other people all of whom I was close to, have died. It was hard coming to terms with all that.
It has been a tsunami of grief in some ways. However, when I look back, I realise that I am very lucky as I have had some wonderful times this year, and have some great friendships. I don't really do new year's resolutions but I have goals for next year.
In 2011 I plan on enjoying something new every day because life is so uncertain. I am lowering my expectations, because when you do that you push the door of happiness open a little bit more.
December 26, 2010
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