Una Healy: Five things I can’t live without – Ireland, a guitar, tea, a car and swimming

1 – Ireland

I grew up in a really small town called Thurles in County Tipperary and no matter how old I get, I’ll always think of Ireland as my home.

For me it’s a magical place – not only is it where my family and oldest friends live but it also has a unique warmth and humour.

Ireland is a very welcoming and community-minded country and for such a small nation it really does produce an impressive array of sporting and musical talent – which makes me incredibly proud to be Irish.

2 – A guitar

I think music must be in my blood as my mum is a semi-professional singer and my uncle is the Irish singer songwriter Declan Nerney. When I was 12 my mum gave me a beautiful Martin X-series guitar, which became one of my most treasured possessions and I started writing songs on it.

Wherever I go I always need to take a guitar with me and no matter where I am, I think nothing of initiating a spontaneous singsong.

Although I am always jotting down lyrics, most of my songs start with the melodies and the inspiration comes from strumming on my guitar

3 –  Tea

Most days I must get through seven or eight cups of tea and I am very particular about how it’s made.

I think it might be an Irish thing but I like my tea very well brewed with only a drop of milk. It always makes me anxious when someone offers to make me a cup as I know it’s not going to be strong enough.

In fact it reminds me of a lovely poem I read a few years ago about how it’s okay to not be everyone’s cup of tea. It really resonated with me as I think a lot of us can waste time worrying about people who don’t really care about us, when our focus should be on the ones who do.

4 – Car

At the moment we live right in the middle of the countryside and I am completely reliant on my car.

I’m sure a lot of parents will relate to this but I already feel a little like a chauffeur as I am constantly ferrying my children backwards and forwards to various clubs and play dates.

Not that I really mind. In fact, I love listening to the radio in the car. It’s the perfect opportunity to sit back and enjoy some music or to simply lose myself in a chat show.

5 – Swimming

This might sound a bit strange but if I dream at night it’s often about being in a swimming pool.

I guess that’s because the water has always been a very special and calming place for me.

I started swimming when I was four and I went on to become the all-Ireland freestyle champion.

However at 14 I knew I couldn’t compete any more as I lived an hour’s drive from the nearest swimming club and wasn’t able to train twice a day like many of the other swimmers. It was a shame but it wasn’t a decision I’ve ever allowed myself to regret because I might never have had a career in music if I’d continued with swimming.

It is still something I enjoy today. I try to get to the pool as often as I can as swimming is such a great therapeutic form of exercise.

Una Healy’s new single, Never See Me Cry is out now