From the Racetrack to the Remote: Ryan Tubridy’s London Life of Horses and Home Comforts

Clare and I were invited to Ascot last week, and while I wouldn’t know one end of a horse from another, it seemed like an interesting way to spend a Saturday afternoon and it helps that I’m very fond of the host that day, Elgin Loan, the man at the helm of The Irish Post newspaper in London.

He gathered an eclectic bunch of Irish punters who mixed easily with each other between races and lunch.

Some of Ireland’s finest actors were there as Lisa Dwan, Orla Sanders and Bronagh Waugh swapped stories and tips alongside

Dexter star, Paddy Gibson, whose mother made sure he was on good behaviour!

Chef-du-jour Anna Haugh was in flying form as she continues to make big waves in the UK both at her own venues and on television.

It was great to reconnect with Ardal O’Hanlon, who has some very exciting book news coming down the tracks, and Harry Herbert was as jovial and convivial as ever (despite not having his wife, Clodagh McKenn, there on this occasion) , so all told, it was a beautiful day at the races.

Clare and I had to dash to Winchester for our friends’ birthday celebrations held at the Bombay Sapphire distillery (think Wonka but with gin), and a fine night was had by all. Needless to say, the rest of the week was very calm!

Life at home

I've been watching a lot of episodes of a programme called The Assembly, in which a group of neurodiverse people interview a well-known person about everything and nothing. It’s a brilliant idea that challenges the interviewee and the viewer for a plethora of different reasons.

situation with the most skill and ease. He rolled with the punches (and there were a few) but was kind and thoughtful with it.

As it turned out, I managed to secure a ticket for a play he is currently starring in at the National Theatre on London’s South Bank. The play is called Nye and tells the story of Labour firebrand, Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan, whose legacy will forever be his role in the

foundation of the NHS.

On paper, it doesn’t and shouldn’t sound very interesting, but on stage, it’s a triumph. The production, acting and stagecraft is second to none, and it’s all held together by an immaculate central performance by Sheen, whose Welsh tones are hypnotic throughout as the story traces Nye’s childhood, election to parliament, elevation to the Department of Health and ultimate legacy.

It’s emotional, historic and utterly compelling. It helped me understand why (most) British people venerate their health system and its sense of fairness, but also the provenance of the NHS through the prism of a miner’s son who made it to the top echelons of power. He wasn’t perfect by all accounts, but he was passionate, could deliver a speech and get things done – more of this please!