The Mrs Brown’s Boys star lifted the lid on her relationship with Marion, after the pair met over 22 years ago – she shared the secret to the couple’s long-term love
Eilish O’Carroll has said that she and her partner Marion treat everyday like Valentine’s Day, even 22 years into knowing each other.
The Mrs Brown’s Boys star met Marion at a lesbian community centre over two decades ago, and fell in love after a “slow burn” romance.
Even after all this time, the pair are as loved up as ever – Eilish shared their secret.
Speaking to RSVP Magazine, she said: “I feel like Valentine’s Day should be every day – you shouldn’t wait until the 14th of February to be romantic. We keep that romance burning every day.
“But we do mark the day; we might have a dinner party with friends and we’ve been known to go into charity shops and buy all sorts of naff Valentine’s-related stuff so everyone gets a present. We try to have fun like that. Or we might go out to dinner or go to the theatre. We always do something special.”
When it comes to keeping that romance burning daily, Eilish said it’s all about being considerate and thoughtful.
“We show it every day, just acknowledging each other in small ways,” she said. “It’s being kind and tender and gentle.
“Marion is very caring and she’ll always make sure I’m OK or if I need anything or inquire how I’m feeling. Love is being aware and acknowledging your partner’s existence and their needs and wants.”
The couple have their own separate homes, and while this may seem unconventional to some people, she said having their own freedom is the key to them both being happy.
“We’re very fortunate because Marion has her house in Cork City and I have my place in Dublin, so she goes back occasionally to make sure everything is OK and to keep an eye on things,” she said. “But I think being apart regularly is the recipe for longevity in a relationship, because you really do appreciate each other and you also appreciate the time you have to yourself.
“You don’t belong to anybody and you don’t own anybody, so you’re there because you want to be there and not because you feel obliged. It’s a choice you’re making and it works for us.”
The pair love catching up after time apart, usually with a lovely dinner and a bottle of wine. Eilish told us that spending time apart means they never run out of things to talk about.
“We always have something to talk about,” she said. “In saying that, silence is a good thing as well. If you can sit in silence with anybody, that’s healthy and you don’t feel you have to bridge the gap with noise.”
