Working Life: If you like people, you will like geriatric medicine

Professor Ronan Collins, consultant geriatrician and Age Friendly ambassador for South Dublin Co Council

Prof Ronan Collins at Tallaght University Hospital, Co Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney

“My interest in older people started during my medical training, when I was a SHO (senior house officer). I came across all of these older people with fascinating stories.

“One patient had fought in both world wars. Imagine that. Another was a messenger for James Connolly during the 1916 Rising. She told me they used young girls as messengers as they felt the British army wouldn’t shoot them. This woman used to run through the back streets of Dublin, behind the GPO.