Miriam O’Callaghan may enjoy a decades long successful career as a current affairs host with the national broadcaster but the mum-of-eight says she feels most blessed being surrounded by her large brood.
Speaking to EVOKE ahead of Mother’s Day, Miriam said she is a ‘lucky’ mother and daughter to her own 98-year-old mum.
‘I feel lucky that I am very close to all of my four daughters and to my own mother,’ Miriam said. And while she is famed across the nation for her on-screen sparring with politicians, Miriam is happiest spending quiet time with her large family.
‘Family is such a joy and constant in my life and I never take it for granted,’ said Miriam. Miriam, who became a grandmother in 2021, said watching her children spread their wings is a source of immense joy.
‘For me it’s watching them grow up into happy and healthy young adults. But I also especially love listening to their laughter,’ she added.
Miriam is mum to four daughters, Alannah, Clara, Georgia, and Jessica, from her first marriage to Tom McGurk. She also welcomed four sons, Conor, Jack, Daniel and James, with second husband Steve Carson
Prime Time host Miriam credits her own upbringing to her happy family life. ‘I think we owe almost everything to our mum and dad,' she said. 'They were both incredibly hard-working and did their very best to give all five of us a great education. All my schooling was free but they were great schools.’
During her four decade tenure as current affairs presenter at RTE, Miriam has become somewhat of a sounding board for the mood of the nation. But as to handing out advice on the home front, Miriam believes in allowing her offspring the freedom to chart their now course in life.
‘My own mum was never one for advice. Apart from saying to always keep a close eye on the children, whatever their age,’ said Miriam.
But she is a close presence in all of her children's orbit. 'I just want the same as for my own children - that they grow up happy and healthy and are always surrounded by love.’
Having given birth eight times, Miriam's endured some birthing complications but reflecting on her eight, literal, labours-of-love Miriam said that she is eternally grateful that all her little bundles of joy arrived and have since thrived.
'Thankfully, nothing too bad ever happened,’ said Miriam. ‘My births were almost all tricky though. I know some women sail through childbirth, but I didn’t.
'They were nearly all complicated but luckily all worked out well in the end and of course as soon as the healthy baby arrives, you forget about all the difficult stuff.’
