DiscoverConversations with ParentsCiara Kelly: ‘A consultant shamed me for being an unmarried, pregnant junior doctor’
Ciara Kelly: ‘A consultant shamed me for being an unmarried, pregnant junior doctor’

Ciara Kelly: ‘A consultant shamed me for being an unmarried, pregnant junior doctor’

Update: 2025-10-14
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Ciara Kelly was on in a bar on a sun holiday when she found out she was pregnant. 1999 was a time when Ireland was becoming more liberal, but being an unmarried mum "wasn't without some stigma," and no allowances were made on the gruelling 60-hour shifts that were common for junior doctors then. Though motherhood came early she took to it so well that she ended up having a family of four. In 2017 she swapped her medical career for a full-time job in radio. The primetime slot on Newstalk Breakfast means she often gives her take on the events of the day, sometimes drawing opprobrium on social media. "I saw some of the things being said online and realised some of the comments sticking up for me were my son." In this episode, Ciara speaks to host Jen Hogan about managing the backlash, teaching her kids to brush it off and why respecting their agency is so important to her.


Presented by Jen Hogan. Produced by Aideen Finnegan.


Brought to you in association with Avonmore Super Milk.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Ciara Kelly: ‘A consultant shamed me for being an unmarried, pregnant junior doctor’

Ciara Kelly: ‘A consultant shamed me for being an unmarried, pregnant junior doctor’