Where did you go to school?St Pius X National School, Templeogue, Dublin. Our Lady's Secondary School, Terenure, Dublin.

Were you cool or were you one of the nerdy kids?

Neither. I would have been described as "quiet and shy".

Give us an extract of a school report.

"Ursula works hard and is very conscientious."

Who was your favourite teacher in primary school and why?

I didn't have a favourite teacher in primary school because

I was terrified of most of them.

Let's just say the regime was ridiculously strict and would not be tolerated today.

How about secondary school? Is there anyone who you liked or who inspired you?

I felt like I had escaped from prison when I first went to Our Lady's. The ethos, atmosphere and culture of the place was so uplifting, empowering and compassionate.

It was a warm, friendly place run by a French order of nuns, the Religious of Christian Education. At the time, the school had beautiful rolling parkland, magnificent woodland, ornamental ponds, and a Dodder river walk.

I remember picnic lunches in the summer under oak trees and, in the winter, snow-topped woodland and glitzy Christmas Fairs.

It was an enriching time in my life where I made lifelong friendships. The late Mother Joyce Roberts was headmistress for most of my time there. She was an extraordinary woman who combined personal kindness and respect for her pupils with a progressive vision of education for girls.

I developed a love for English and writing from my English teachers, Miss Shanahan, Miss Geoghegan (now Gina Menzies, the well-known theologian), Sister Rosemary Magnier and Mrs O'Dwan.

Did you have a nickname?

Liggle Urs.

What was the first music album you bought?

Abba - Greatest Hits.

Ursula Halligan is TV3's political editor and presenter of The Political Party, Sun, TV3, 5pm and 11.50pm