Bright side: Tara Flynn gets her life back on track following the repeal campaign
WORDS and ideas flow in a torrent from actor, comedian, and writer Tara Flynn. And sometimes there’s a price to pay for her forthrightness.
Open about her own experience of abortion, she was one of the most high-profile campaigners for a yes vote during the repeal campaign. Not surprisingly, she was trolled on social media. “The level of snark and sneer — that is not good for the people doing it, let alone the people they are targeting. You don’t have to take part in that,” she says.
After the campaign, she decided to quit Twitter and switched to Instagram, sharing fun pictures of her dog. “I want to put a bit more joy back into the world,” she says.
From Kinsale, the 49-year-old lives in Dublin with her American husband Carl Austin, a scriptwriter. She’s self-employed and though it gives her artistic freedom, there is little or no income security. “A few years ago I had a panic attack about finances — saw the doctor about it, talked to a psychologist, did all the things you’re supposed to do,” she says.
“Those things helped but the main thing that helped me in making the decision — the financial aspect of my life could have a little bit of my application and determination and I would problem solve it but I wasn’t going to give it my mental health.”
I’m nearly 50, so I watch what shape I’m in very carefully, especially in terms of mobility. I used to exercise really hard and now I just have to watch it a bit more. I try to find the balance and if my body is telling me to skip a day, I’ll skip a day. My mind is the worst part of it — I get very bored. Some days I want an American boot camp and some days I want to be guided through some pliés.
I don’t eat any animal products if I can help it. For the last 10 years, I’ve been [vegan] — it makes me feel good. But if I go to someone’s house and they say I heard you were a vegetarian, so I made you an omelette, I’ll eat it.
There are so many incredible non-dairy ice-cream related products out there now. Nobo does salted caramel — it’s incredible. Ben & Jerry’s does non-dairy stuff you can get in Tesco. Also chips. Where would you be without chips from a proper chipper! And alcohol — white wine but if I’m feeling a little bit bold I’ll have a vodka and tonic.
I love to walk Jack, a cocker spaniel. Going for a drink or a bite with my husband. He’s great craic. And I just love my friends. I don’t have a massive social circle anymore. I prefer a quiet pint or to go round to each other’s houses to sing.
We went to see [African-American] civil rights activist Angela Davis in Dun Laoghaire in March. I’d love to see my husband’s mum and her in the same room. Also, Jane Fonda, who was an activist in the ’70s but who is now also a real funny comedy actor. And my friends are very cool and they all tend to be quite funny as well.
I have no sense of smell. I fell off a gate straight onto the flat of my forehead when I was two — they reckon that’s what caused it as the olfactory nerve is in the front of the brain. I can’t smell smoke unless it starts to affect my eyes or I start to cough. And I can’t smell farts which makes me a very easygoing travel companion.
I’d love to be a bit taller — I’ve love to be able to reach things rather than to stand on chairs. I’m 5ft 3in — my dad was 6ft 2in. I figure 5ft 8in would have been my genetic right.
I had a proper cathartic cry after the repeal campaign ended. It was a combination of exhaustion and frustration at the way some of the people had taken things out on me.
Selfishness and a lack of empathy.
I’m impatient. I need things to happen now. That leads to a lot of frustration with myself, so I’m my own worst enemy.
No. I wish people the best but I don’t think it needs to be formalised in words.
A surprise trip to the beach with my husband, the dog and a couple of pals and to watch the sun go down. This will never happen because my husband hates the beach.
