Former Mayo Taoiseach speaks openly about his cancer battle
Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny has revealed his battle with cancer has given him “a different perspective on life."
In an interview with the Irish Independent, he said: “You understand that (life) it’s about what we have, not what we want.”
Mr. Kenny (73) had an operation to remove his cancer in 2022.
The precise nature of the disease has not been disclosed, but he has confirmed he is in recovery.
“I personally have met a thousand people who are walking around with a very good quality of life having been diagnosed with what would have been a death sentence 10 years ago.
“I learned to appreciate life and appreciate people because it is actually a very short period. It’s about what you have and not what you want.
“It’s not a craving for wealth and all these things that matter to some people materially.”
In respect of innovative medicine, he said: “Cancer is a shock to the system, no more than any other illness, but because of the research and the innovation – of which our island is a leader – there are thousands of people walking around this country having a second chance at life.
“And I regret that’s being ended in America at the moment US president Donald Trump has announced cutbacks to cancer research].”
Talking about his life after politics, he said: “I haven’t taken a vow of total silence. Some things I will make a short comment on. But I leave the biting of microphones to others.”
The Castlebar man said he has no longing to return to politics.
“No, I don’t miss it at all. I did 45 years of it and one of the things about politicians is that you have to understand that it’s a responsibility given to you for a period by the people. Use it to the best advantage in the people’s interests and then leave when you think you should.
Asked if he had regrets, he said “none at all."
He also ruled out penning a memoir despite joking that he had an “encyclopaedia of stories”.
“I could tell you a thousand stories, but the journalists and the historians will write the books. The thing is, I know a lot of people who wrote a book and they had to write a second one to pay for it. The record is there, it speaks for itself.”
He also ruled out having any interest in the upcoming race for Áras an Uachtaráin.
“I used to always say that I had a duty constitutionally to go out and advise the president of the day about political matters in the government and the Dáil. But I never had any intention of attempting to become a tenant.”
He also works as an ambassador for the children’s cancer charity Daisy Lodge.
“It’s a cancer fund for children, where families have a child who has a prognosis of probably terminal cancer.
“They’re building a unit at the back of Ashford Castle in Cong for families. Not a treatment centre, a relaxation centre, because the pressures on the mother, you know, who conceived the child, carried the child, reared the child and then see it is going to be taken away… so that’s a really good cause.
“Cancer like that affects two per cent of children and we’ve raised substantial monies both in England, America and Ireland.
“Daisy Lodge is a thing that interests me greatly. As a cancer survivor myself, you understand the pressures that people are under.”