Green team: Former Irish international Paul McGrath lines out for the environment

By Irene Feighan

WITH age often comes a growing sense of responsibility towards the planet, particularly when grandchildren arrive.

Former Republic of Ireland international Paul McGrath didn’t need to hear the dire warnings from the recent UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to spur him into action. Aged 60, he’s a proud grandfather of five — ‘some fools have all the luck’, he says on Twitter — and has long been aware of the need to keep our environment green for the next generation.

To drive the message home, he is once again putting on the green jersey, this time to support a Repak recycling initiative.

“When you have grandchildren you do tend to think about when you’re gone — you don’t want to leave that big carbon footprint on the world. It’s a way of teaching them not to be throwing bottles on the road and to be a bit more responsible in how you dispose of these things. I try to teach them about how to make the world a healthier place for the people who come after us.”

Single and living in Wexford, he loves when his grandchildren, aged 18 to one year, visit from England. It’s “very special” when they come, he says, and he likes to make of “big fuss over them”. There are other benefits too. “You can always hand them back when you’re tired.”

For more information on Team Green visit repak.ie/teamgreen, Repak Recycling on Facebook, or @RepakRecycling on Twitter.

What shape are you in?

I do a lot of walking — I’m not really keeping up with my jogging and running. I’d walk most days, and have the odd day off. I’d walk for about an hour-and-a-half to keep me ticking over.

My knees are not the best. I am going to have to get them done. I have been checked out a couple of times — I keep putting off the surgery. I have to get it done sometime. They might have bionic ones by the time I get there. I’ll be sprinting past everyone — I hope.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

I don’t get takeaways. I more or less cook for myself. I don’t stuff myself. I never eat breakfast and I usually get a sandwich during the day. I have a meal at night. I’m not a big snacker either. I have a 12-pack of crisps in the house — it would take me a couple of months to eat them.

Now that I’m getting older, I think you just have to watch yourself a little bit more. And look after yourself a little bit more.

What are your guiltiest pleasures?

Curling up in front of the TV on a Saturday/Sunday and just watching matches all through the weekend, taking breaks from time to time to make myself a cup of tea or coffee. I love watching football — be it rugby, soccer, or Gaelic.

What would keep you awake at night?

I’m a fairly good sleeper. I go to bed quite early — that might be an age thing. I used to stay up until all hours. Now I get about five or six hours’ sleep a night. I’d go to bed just after 10 o’clock. Then I’d be up and again watching TV — more sport.

How do you relax?

By doing a lot of walking and watching TV afterwards. I also like to spend time with the grandkids.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

I don’t really have a lot of people around the house — I’m not the greatest of cooks. I’m not great with parties either. I’d like to meet President Higgins. I’ve met him — he’s very well educated, very up on his Irish. He knows everything about the country. And probably some footballers and rugby players I’d like to meet as well.

What’s your favourite smell?

Old Spice.

What would you change about your appearance?

I wish someone could give me a new pair of knees. I’m very happy with everything else.

When is the last time you cried?

When one of my granddaughters was ill for a couple of days recently. We were all on tenterhooks about it. It got sorted and she’s fine now.

What trait do you least like in others?

Greed is a trait that I’m not very fond of in other people.

What trait do you least like about yourself?

Impatience. If people are not copping on to things we are supposed to be doing together, I get a bit frustrated with that.

Do you pray?

I do indeed. I’ve got six children and five grandchildren, so obviously I pray for them. I believe in a higher power.

What would cheer up your day?

The thing that would cheer me up most on any day is sunshine.