In the hot seat with Séan O'Rourke

INCISIVE, clear, concise, RTÉ journalist, Séan O’Rourke, is dogged in his pursuit of a story.

But this drive is at odds with his younger, breezy self. Describing himself as a late developer, education was not a priority.

“I didn’t kill myself in school, until I was in about sixth year. I didn’t do a tap,” he says. “I decided I’d better get serious about things.” He has been serious about his work ever since, with a high-profile career in journalism spanning close to four decades.

O’Rourke, 58, is now surfing the biggest wave of his life, taking over the Today show from Pat Kenny. He’s loving “the adventure”.

“I could have stayed doing what I was doing — The Week in Politics and The News at One — but why would you just want to do what’s safe and predictable,” he says.

Married to Caroline Murphy — she presents It Says in the Papers, is an organisational psychologist and runs her own media-training company — they have six children, aged 27 to 15.

What shape are you in?

I am in reasonable shape, physically and mentally. I hit 12 stone on the day I started the new show. It’s my lowest weight for five years, though I could lose another half stone. Mentally, I’m happier than ever, having got an opportunity I never expected to come my way, after 40 years in journalism.

Have you any health concerns?

A recent check-up showed blood pressure and heartbeat were absolutely normal. I think it’s important to get checked out annually for prostate and cholesterol.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Kit Kats and Magnums. Red wine, also — I am partial to the Chilean wine, Coyam. But with the new job, I don’t drink Monday to Thursday.

What would keep you awake at night?

Nothing much, apart from mischievous thoughts about how to keep other people awake with the kind of stuff we could put into a TV or radio programme.

How do you relax?

I hope to resume my weekly golf routine soon. And I hope the new work regime will let me see more weekend matches. I have failed, so far, to walk Dun Laoghaire pier daily — but I’m working on it. The most relaxing place on earth is Trá Mór, a three-mile beach at Rosapenna, Co Donegal.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Ben Bradlee, Cate Blanchett, Cherie Blair, Jim McGuinness, Eimear Quinn, Desmond Tutu and Paul McGrath — assuming I couldn’t just dine with Caroline and our children, who are getting ever more interesting.

What is your favourite smell?

Crab claws and garlic, with a little onion and butter on the pan, from Hugh McBride’s trawler at Downings pier.

What would you like to change about your appearance?

Thicker hair and more of it. Greying doesn’t bother me.

When did you last cry?

Probably peeling onions, but I had two close calls this year: talking on air to Aine Lawlor, about Caroline, the day after I got this job, and looking at our daughter Maeve — she is a human rights lawyer — in the Dáil when Enda Kenny apologised to the Magdalene women. Her successful action against the Irish State, at the UN Committee against Torture in Geneva, was a big help to a heroic team of campaigners.

What is the trait you least like in others?

Pomposity and an inability to laugh at oneself.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

An occasional flash of impatience.

Do you pray?

Yes. More than usual of late. I am also a regular mass-goer.

What would cheer up my day?

A producer or researcher saying: “Michelle Obama says ‘yes’, the interview is tomorrow”.