Maura Derrane: 'I decided on day one, I’d say what I like because I’m a long time doing this job'
Maura Derrane is utterly self-assured and pragmatic about the possibility that in her line of business, these things can end as soon as they begin. Picture: Gerard McCarthy
I wasn't expecting Maura Derrane to be shrill and bird-like but when she caws down the phone, mimicking the corncrake, I’m squealing with laughter.
It’s a solid segue into her earliest memories of having disturbed sleep when the nocturnal bird would keep her awake with its song.
“I’m an insomniac, always have been. I’ve just never slept my whole life and that’s fine.”
She’s willing to risk “sounding like a completely crazy person” on air with her impressions if it entertains her followers and her comic timing is flawless.
I instantly feel comfortable addressing the well-paid elephant in the room, a one Mr Ryan Tubridy whose previous RTÉ radio show Maura has stepped in to host.
“I’ve really wanted to do radio for a long time. I didn’t know that they were going to put me in this role,” she says.
She’s utterly self-assured and pragmatic about the possibility that in her line of business, these things can end as soon as they begin.
“It’s not my gig. I’m aware of that. It’s fabulous to get it but it’s a two-week thing.”
Is Maura being diplomatic because Tubridy is a friend?
"We all know each other in this business because Ireland is very small. I knew him to say ‘hi’ to but it wouldn’t have been any more than that.
"That was another pressure on me to be honest, especially at the moment when all eyes are on that show.”
Was she worried about any potential radio silences on or the differences between live TV and radio? Not a jot, it would seem.
“It’s not that I found the live aspect difficult, it was just a very different challenge. With TV, we’ve got an awful lot packed in. We’re constantly moving and that is the nature of the show.
"Whereas with this show, you let the interviews breathe a lot longer. They’re twice the length of what I normally do, if not longer.”
At 53, Maura has a great relationship with her only son, Cal, where they chat openly about everything and anything. On a recent car trip to Galway, she told him she was experiencing first-time nerves about the radio gig.
“He gave me a pep talk, almost like a self-belief thing. We went to the Ninja Turtles movie recently. I was saying ‘this new thing’ and he was questioning my nerves, saying ‘but you’ve done live TV before?’
“He goes; ‘You’re not going to become Puke Girl, are you?’ She’s a character from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and she has to face her fears, she goes on TV and throws up.”
Maura has found the team in RTÉ to be consistent with bringing stories to the table and very collaborative in hearing her ideas for the show.
“They’re the people who do the pre-interviews with the guests. When I walk out of my studio, the team have to go and prep for the next day. I was lucky, I inherited that team who had been doing it for years.”
Maura’s tenacity and direct manner was a deliberate move on her part to own her own talent and say what she wanted.
“I decided on day one, I’d say what I like because I’m a long time doing this job. I know what my strong points are.”
Maura believes her news background has equipped her to think on her toes. She worked in TV3 (now Virgin Media One) as a crime correspondent.
“I can react to something just thrown at me there and then. That’s my training — I’ve been on live television for 17 years so I’m used to it.
“I would have to walk out of a courtroom with a judgement in my hand and decipher that judgement within five minutes on air. I had to train my brain differently. I do believe it’s a skill — being able to upload information quickly and I’m lucky I’m pretty good at it. It comes with time.”
When it comes to ageing gracefully, Maura does it on her own terms. It’s not that she’s ungrateful to receive compliments but she is unfazed by the importance that society places on beauty.
“I was doing a piece about Kylie Minogue and she says she’s lucky that she’s never felt the brunt of ageism or she’d never felt any particular age. She feels she’s just herself.
"And you know what? I have to say as much as I think ageism is definitely there, I’ve always just felt like myself as well and I really mean that.”
Does she buy into the tweakments, the diets, the anti-ageing creams, the constant things being sold to women to turn back time? She does what she feels is right is the simple answer.
“I have liquid collagen, probiotics and all that just to keep myself going. You’ve got to go with the ageing process and not fight it but my whole thing is look as good as you can.
Maura had her son at the age of 43, in medical terms what is described as a “geriatric pregnancy”. In spite of her high-octane energy, the pregnancy left a physical imprint.
“It did take its toll on me, it still is. A lot of people of my age who would have kids — they’d be very empty nesters. I’m in the throes of it. Cal is only nine years old. In a weird way, it keeps me young.”
Maura says her chronological age might be 53 but her mindset is of someone much younger.
“I’m a very childish person — anyone will tell you that. I’m totally into Minecraft, Roblox, all this stuff Cal’s into. That’s the thing — when you have one child, somebody has to be the playmate.”
If Maura had one piece of advice for a young broadcaster, it would be to ignore the comments on appearance and to channel that energy into honing your craft. A few years ago, she addressed trolls who tore apart what she describes as a “very normal outfit”.
“Social media can be a vicious place, but you have to ignore all this trolling. Don’t look at stuff like that. Just walk away” she says.
“A few years ago, I wore an outfit on air. It was unbelievable the drama it caused, it was just a regular skirt. I actually just faced them down on air.
"At the start of the show, I said; You must have nothing else to do. Sorry but if anyone thinks that this is affecting me, you’re all wrong. Off you go.”
Since turning 50, Maura has become more aware of the dangers of heart disease in middle-aged women. She is now the ambassador for the Her Heart Matters campaign, designed to raise awareness around women’s heart health.
Maura admits that prior to her role in this campaign, she associated poor heart health with middle-aged men.
“One in four women dies every year in Ireland from heart disease and stroke and I didn’t even know that until I got involved.
“This is basically a spotlight to tell women if you’re not feeling good — listen to your body, go to the doctor, take time for yourself. Women are always running around taking care of kids and partners but you need to stop and take care of yourself.”
As season 12 of is on the horizon, Maura feels they are in a better place than ever, both with contributors and viewers.
“The show has gone from strength to strength. It’s gaining more viewers every single year. We’ve got lots of new bits this year as well as our regular fashion and beauty.”
Maura’s final words?
“Don’t feed the fire? You’ve got to be your own person. You must stick with your own values.
"There are so many beautiful girls and guys out there but you have to be able to do your job and my job is to give people information and to entertain people.”
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