ON THE COUCH: FIONA TYRELLtalks to Larry Warren, chief executive of the Alpha One Foundation, which helps people with Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
Family/personal:
Born in Dalkey, Co Dublin and living in Kingswood, Tallaght with my wife Ann.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
My hero is John Trainer who trains his local under-10s football team. He gives a minimum of eight hours per week of his time. He enjoys what he does and doesn’t complain about not being paid for the very useful social service he provides. John and his sister Sheila stand for the trainers of under-age teams in our cities, towns and villages.
What do you regard as the top three problems facing Ireland’s health system?
Modern lifestyle, but I think the recession might help that. A growing lung disease epidemic (medical professionals testing COPD and asthma patients for Alpha1 would help somewhat), and not having a national plan for rare diseases.
What is your greatest extravagance?
A Gaggia coffee maker, but now I can enjoy the best Italian-style coffee without paying extravagant prices.
What is your most unhealthy habit?
Not having regular health checks despite my wife’s prodding.
How do you relax?
Besides listening to Lyric FM, I like to walk 10-12km per day to clear my head of problems and to reflect.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
Séamus Heaney, William Trevor and Maeve Binchy. I would be happy to do the cooking if they would do the talking.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Growing companionably old with my wife and having the time and the health to travel and to have few scoops with friends from time to time.
What trait do you most value in your friends?
That they don’t take me too seriously. It keeps me grounded.
What talent would you most like to have?
I would love to be able to sing well.
Although I love music and can sing with the crowd I cannot hold a tune on my own.
Do you use alternative/ complementary medicines or therapies?
Only those practised by my mother – the old-fashioned cures.
What is your earliest memory?
Going to see Santa in McBirney’s department store on the quays. It was just magic.
What is your most treasured possession?
A photo of myself as a kid. It teaches me that with a wide grin and a dash of devilment you can get anywhere.
What other career might you have chosen?
I thought at one time that I might have been an architect. I still love reading books on architecture and travelling to see and photograph the great and small buildings of the world.
What books or films have inspired you?
The works of Dickens, especially David Copperfield. They have entertained me and taught me that all one needs is enough.