St Patrick’s Day was always the most special day in our household

St Patrick’s Day was always the most special day in our household

17 March 2021

TV presenter Eamonn Holmes has spoken of his connection to Saint Patrick as part of a new podcast series from the Saint Patrick Centre.

The Belfast-born broadcaster revealed that Patrick was his confirmation name and recalled how his family loved to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with a day out by the sea. 

Holmes spoke to Martina Purdy, a former BBC correspondent, and Elaine Kelly, a former barrister, both of whom were Adoration Sisters for five years. 

“Saint Patrick’s Day was always the most special day in our household,” said Holmes. “My father, a working man, a carpet fitter, always took St Patrick’s Day off. We always went to St Patrick’s mass on Donegall Street.”

This was followed by trip to Bangor, a fish supper from Long’s and his father enjoying a few drinks at the pub.

Holmes recounted that one year his father quit his job rather than work on St Patrick’s Day. “My father said he wasn’t doing it. And he consulted with my mother and she was with him.”

He also revealed that his wife, Ruth Langford, was born on St Patrick’s Day.

Tim Campbell, director of the Saint Patrick Centre, said it was wonderful to have Holmes as the first guest and looked forward to many more podcasts between now and next Saint Patrick’s Day.

“We will be featuring Belfast comedian Tim McGarry next month. Today [St Patrick’s Day] Martina and Elaine have interviewed Patrick Dexter who has won world attention playing his cello in his garden from County Mayo. Today he is also playing virtually at Irish embassies around the world. He plays two beautiful piece for our podcast.”

Holmes began the podcast with a friendly serenade, singing ‘Sisters’, the old song by Irving Berlin.

He kindly agreed to take part in the podcast after Martina contacted him on Twitter after he tweeted he would like to laugh about rubbish and talk nonsense with new people.

“I was chancing my arm but was delighted that Eamonn agreed to do the podcast,” Martina said.

“We had a great chat with him. He spoke of his connection to Saint Patrick and also some of the problems in the media today. He has a great sense of humour and was very generous.”

Elaine added: “It was a lot of fun to speak to Eamonn and I never dreamed I would do be doing that. My mum and my family loved watching him on UTV when I was growing up. I was really impressed with his warmth, his humour and his professionalism. And how he included both of us in the chat.”

Holmes has interviewed many celebrities including Hollywood stars Dustin Hoffman, Meg Ryan and John Travolta but said the personality he would still most like to interview was the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.

His remarks come amid turmoil over splits in the Royal family involving the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

“I think I would be interested in her take on everything which you wouldn’t get. I think other people have had their say and everybody has got a view and an opinion,” he said.

“And I think when you look at people who just get on with it and know what it is to serve …as opposed what it is to give orders, you look at  someone like her and you think you know you could be a different person and you have accepted this role.”

Holmes said he had observed that celebrities with an entourage were the most problematic. He also shared his views on the media, his life and his attitude to an afterlife.

The podcast can be accessed on Saint Patrick’s Centre webpage www.saintpatrickcentre.com.