The Shape I'm in: Susan Hegarty - To the waters wild
Susan Hegarty’s enthusiasm for the natural world is infectious. A presenter of RTÉ’s series, the geographer immediately draws the viewer in with her energy and passion. But it’s when she’s in the water that the excitement peaks.
It comes as no surprise to hear she was raised by the water’s edge in Monkstown, Co Cork, attending the local sailing club from a young age. “I absolutely love being in the water,” she says.
She’s been living in Dublin since 1995 following a transfer from UCC to UCD in second year so she could study geography and Spanish — a combination not available in Cork at the time.
“I loved the language from the very beginning — I’ve kept it up. I’ve got a lot of friends in Spain and I’ve spent a lot of time there.”
Now a lecturer in DCU — “I really enjoy teaching” — she’s keenly attuned to the effects of the lockdown.
“It is actually opening our eyes to nature. We are spending a lot of time outside without a car, on our own, and having time to look around. That gives us a knowledge of what’s around us and wanting to protect it.”
What shape are you in?
I like being fit. I’ve drawn up a map to stay within a 2km radius of where I live. When I’m in DCU, I cycle 10km to the office every day. I enjoy that.
And I really, really enjoy being in the water. I enjoy being on a surfboard or a paddleboard.
What are your healthiest eating habits?
I love salad. I’ll happily eat salads for lunch and for dinner.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
I like chocolate. Anything with a cocoa bean in it.
What would keep you awake at night?
I’m a very good sleeper. Something I’ve inherited from my mum. I feel sorry for people who can’t sleep.
How do you relax?
I like listening to music. I enjoy singing as well, particularly if it’s in a choir.
In DCU we have a couple of choirs I’ve been lucky enough to sing in. Anything that is three or four-part harmonies, I love it. It’s about working with a team — and for me, being part of a team is really important.
What’s your favourite smell?
The smell of freshly cut grass, which at the moment is so prevalent. It brings me back to this time of the year — it’s so fresh, so uplifting.
What would you like to change about your appearance?
I’m quite happy. But I have a mop of hair that is quite thick, which often becomes unruly, especially with the lockdown. Lots of haircuts are needed to keep it under control.
When is the last time you cried?
I’m not a big crier. But a cousin of my mother’s, who would have been very close to the family, passed away at the beginning of March and that was probably the last time I was upset. It was not connected with Covid-19.
What traits do you least like in others?
I like people to be authentic and to have integrity. And if they don’t have integrity, that really grates.
What traits do you least like about yourself?
I tend to get distracted easily — amazed by the things around me — and maybe leave things half-done and have to come back to them. That frustrates me.
Do you pray?
Yes, I do. My Catholic faith is very important to me and integral to who I am.
What would cheer up your day?
To see my sister in Dublin and my mum and aunt — they are cocooning in Cork.
To be able to be together would totally cheer up my day. My dad passed away 14 years ago and my brother also passed away coming up to nine years ago — particularly since then family is really important to us.
Where is your favourite place in the world?
The Atlantic Ocean.
What inspires you?
I’m looking out the window and seeing the green of the leaves against the blue sky, and that is totally inspiring.
What steps are you taking to protect the environment?
I’m part of the DCU Water Institute and heavily involved in the citizen science outreach element, getting people to look at water quality.
For the past couple of years, I’ve been using water bottles that I wash out regularly. I’m also careful not to buy once-off plastics.
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