Miriam - Life, Work, Everything

I started writing this book as an exclusively work memoir, but the work and the personal kept overlapping. I don’t know if that’s because I’m a woman or a mother or both — or none of those reasons.

I just know that for my story to be authentic and truthful, I couldn’t simply focus on the work side of my life.

Miriam O'Callaghan is one of Ireland's best-known broadcasters, covering every election, referendum, major controversy, and important public event for TV, while also hosting an award-winning radio show. Combining career success, high-octane glamour, and motherhood to eight children makes her a truly unique figure in Irish public life.

In her absorbing memoir, Miriam shares touching stories from her personal life — from the life-changing impact of losing her beloved sister and father in a matter of months, and the end of her first marriage that same year, to the joys and challenges of bringing eight children into the world and juggling a frenetically busy life (“give up on perfection” is her wise advice!).

Miriam includes fascinating insights into a career that has given her a ringside seat to a changing Ireland. Like attending Bobby Sands’ wake even before she was a journalist, and life coming full circle when she championed John Hume to be declared the greatest figure in Irish history.

She describes extraordinary debates, important and heart-breaking conversations with people in the eye of a media storm, and how she prepares for and conducts the big interviews — as well as what happens when things go wrong.

Miriam also addresses the recent RTÉ controversies that cast a shadow over its high-profile presenters, not least herself.