Mary Kennedy celebrated 70th birthday with children and grandkids: 'It was a serious roundy birthday'

The writer and broadcaster, and now podcaster, says you have got to take life seriously at age 70 - she has also launched a new public awareness campaign highlighting the signs, symptoms and risk factors of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Mary Kennedy turned 70 last month and she celebrated in style with her four children and her five grandchildren.

For the writer and broadcaster, and now podcaster, this roundy birthday was a time of reflection because she is quite time aware in life.

She doesn't ever not want to be here to celebrate the big moments with her family.

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Mary told RSVP Live: "I had lots of people calling during the day, it was lovely. My children organised a family gathering in The Dylan Hotel in Dublin city and they all stayed for the weekend.

"I went away with two girlfriends to Neven Maguire’s Macnean House and I went to the theatre festival with other friends.

"I took the family all off on a cruise as well, it was just magical. It was a lovely bonding experience."

As Mary was approaching the milestone she was feeling very sensitive about it.

She explained: "When I got to the day itself, there was celebration and it was nice. I’m time aware and the most important thing for me is my relationship with my friends and family and the next generation.

"I want to maximise my time and I want everyone else to do it as well.

"The chances are that a lot of people over 65 will have grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or grandnieces or grandnephews, and they’re magical relationships. It’s awful if they’re cut short."

Mary loves where she is in her life now.

She said: "It was a very serious roundy birthday. At 50, it’s 70, at 60, it’s still fun, but at 70, you’ve got to take it seriously - and I do!

"I’ve five grandchildren now and I don’t ever want not to be here. I’m thinking about 21sts and weddings and I want to be here for as long as possible."

Mary has partnered with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Ireland to launch a new public awareness campaign highlighting the signs, symptoms and risk factors of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) for adults over the age of 65. The ‘RSV and Me’ campaign encourages over 65s to stay active, healthy and to get winter ready by learning more about RSV.

She said: "RSV is concerning for two age groups. One is the very young, like babies and the other is over 65s, particularly with those who have an underlying condition such as diabetes, COPD or asthma.

"I’m well in that cohort now because I’ve just turned 70. It’s so important to be aware of the vaccines and have a word with your GP

"Ask them what’s available to you. Also, avoid the uninformed and misinformed content that can be thrown at you. GPs are the experts and they’ve spent years training, so ask them for information."

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