Eileen Magnier has found a new lease of life a year on from walking away from her career at RTÉ.
Having worked for the broadcaster for 39 years, 34 of them as the north west correspondent, and being on a staff salary, her request for redundancy was denied, and she felt she couldn't retire until her pension was in a better place.
Things came to a head when a visit to the doctor confirmed that her blood pressure was high and she made the difficult decision to hang up her mic in 2024.
Now, a year later, Eileen has opened up about how she feels like a whole new person.
'I have never felt so healthy, so free and so energised. Nothing is ever perfect, of course, but with a more regular lifestyle, my health and fitness are now in a much better place,' she told the Irish Independent.
There are, of course, things she won't miss that have helped to foster her new, more energised life.
The tyranny of deadlines and 'dashboard dining' are probably top of her list, and she says her focus now is on her health and family.
Her new schedule has also allowed her to indulge another longtime love, travelling, and she is slowly ticking off her bucket list.
Eileen's first trip was a special one, a cruise around the Norwegian fjords and Iceland with her husband TJ, which she describes as her 'reward' for so many years of hard work.
Time to pack up the @rtenews mic and camera. I've decided to retire early and start on the bucket list! It's been an honour to work as NW Corr for 34 years. Sincere thanks to all who shared their stories with me & my fantastic colleagues especially all those in the regions. pic.twitter.com/n95eCroA4B
— EileenMagnier (@EileenMagnier) April 10, 2024
Her big trip to mark the anniversary of her retirement was a trip to Australia to see her son Dylan, who was about to return home for good.
Now, even when she's at home, she's still thinking of her next trip and has that 'holiday feeling.' It's the sense of freedom, I suppose, to do what I want, within reason, of course. '
