I’m Glad You Asked Me That: The Political Years

I’m Glad You Asked Me That: The Political Years by Terry Prone

Terry Prone has been powerful in Irish politics for more than fifty years, even though she came from a non-political family and was never interested in politics.

This is the woman who, accidentally, brought down Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Charlie Haughey.

The woman who wrote the speech Albert Reynolds made on television the day of the IRA ceasefire in Northern Ireland.

The woman who helped a cabinet minister resign in secret and escape his blackmailer.

This is her account of a life in politics that involved her, at different times, with five different political parties. It’s a story of triumphs, like the speech crafted for Máire Geoghegan-Quinn to deliver at an ard fheis, which allowed her to be truthful while writing an end to the Haughey era.

It’s an account of regrets, like being unable to persuade Frances Fitzgerald not to resign as Tánaiste and Minister for Justice when Fitzgerald was pilloried in the wrong.

It is painfully truthful about witnessing what may have been the first example of Albert Reynolds’ dementia. It is filled with affection for politicians from all the parties she’s worked with – even the ones who couldn’t stick each other. And it is ruthless in its portrayal of famous political figures like P.J. Mara.

Terry Prone’s first memoir, Caution to the Wind, was a love story about her husband, Tom Savage. This second memoir is the story of falling in love with politics – and politicians.