Brendan Courtney reflects on the death of his beloved mother and the end of his ten-year relationship

In the week he lost his beloved mother, the broadcaster reflects on the end of a long-term relationship and his new home

Brendan’s adored mother, Nuala, passed away on Tuesday. Photo: Anthony Woods, 2016

It’s been a year of two halves for Brendan Courtney. We’re sitting in the kitchen-living room of his house in Wicklow, it’s a beautiful white, airy space, one wall all windows with views of the mountains and the sea. A renovation has rendered the interiors all pale greys and delicate pinks, soft lighting and bleached wooden furniture.

The work will be finished in January, but while Brendan has spoken in the past about moving full-time to the house two doors up from his sister and her husband, he’s putting any plans on hold right now.