Whiskey

Whiskey for me became an essential part of the Peace Process in
Northern Ireland. To many this would come as no surprise, Northern
Ireland is the home of one of the finest whiskies in the world, Black
Bush, and it is also seen as the drink of choice for many a politician.
But its essential element was less to do with how much I drank but more
to do with how much I didn't. Every night when I came home, usually
after a tiring round of negotiations, my husband would hand me a glass
of whiskey and ice. A relaxing and much welcome end to the day.
Unfortunately though I would usually crave my bed as much as and make
my way there with my whiskey in hand, clinking down the corridor. Often
I would be asleep before I had really started it. But to me its smell
and taste bring back memories of peace and sanctuary after a hard
day.

I am often asked at social gatherings, now it is known that my Father
was an alcoholic, if this worries me in terms of my own drinking
habits. I always answer 'No'. Although I believe that the traits which
make alcoholics are often inherited, in my case I am lucky. I drink to
relax and add enjoyment to life.

According to the papers at different times everything you eat or drink
is bad for you. Red wine is good one month and bad the next. So my
motto is we only get one life, so enjoy it. If you don't do anything to
excess you won't go far wrong.

I am writing this at the same time as pieces for the magazines Company
and Loaded. They are more interested in the government's position on
drugs rather than drink. I have to say I cannot help but feel a degree
of hypocrisy when I am writing about the relaxing pleasure available
from a glass of whiskey.

One of the many pleasurable things about my time in Northern Ireland
was the generosity of the people. And often this was expressed with a
present of an excellent bottle of whiskey. Jon and I are saving these
to be relished when life is less hectic and I don't fall asleep before
I see the end of the glass.